Perseverance

I am a candle flickering in the wind. 
How shall I burn with a steady light?
Set me on a stand, a sure foundation.
Encompass me about with protection.

I am a candle flickering in the wind.
How shall I burn with a steady light?
Melt and mold me according to Your will.
Set me to blazing with an eternal spark.

I am a candle flickering in the wind.
How shall I burn with a steady light?
Let me feast on the unbroken stream
of oil poured from your overflowing grace.

Lenten struggle

Our times are filled to overflowing
with the staggering weight of things.
Frozen gazes locked to TVs,
wrists chained to computer keypads,
dragging behind chains of houses
stuffed with the debris of malls,
we lurch and strain to move.

Tonight I dream of deserts,
empty spaces where the wind can blow.
The Son of God sits on a rock
and looks up at the stars --
emptiness upon emptiness and yet
filled with the glory of God.

Lord, make us empty again
that we too may be filled
with your shining light.

Welcome, Lent

Lent comes wrapped in purple,
like twilight at the end of day,
sunset before eternal dawn.

Now all voices fall silent
and hidden stars start to gleam
in the darkening dome of heaven.

Lent Haiku

Spring plants reach skyward,
but humans bow low, sending
their roots in search of water.