Still Waters

The still waters
are beautiful.
Trees from the waterline reflect
like a shimmering mirror,

and the sky blazes blue
in the ripples just beyond the boathouse.
There is peace here,
fleeting and restful, but

only temporary,
for you are not mean to stay here,
but to use this moment
to launch your boat

into the unknown.

About this Poem

At times, I write the poem first and look for a picture to work with it. And at times I take a picture and write a poem to it, which is what I did today, to work with the Lenten word today, which was “water”.

I actually began thinking I’d write a poem about water to wine, but I figured we’re all so inundated with all things Catholic right now, what with the Conclave and all, I decided to go English instead.

“English?” you ask? That’s where I took the picture. (in Cornwall).

Tom

About these Lenten Poems

My friend Cathy Benson is on to something. Instead of doing without for Lent, she is doing MORE with a prayer project that is thoughtful and caring.

Giving up something for Lent is a church tradition, not a biblical command. It was designed to get our minds and hearts right as we approach the holy week and Easter. It’s a good spiritual discipline.

But I think a spiritual discipline of doing something more is also a powerful way to prepare our hearts for Easter. The Methodists, through their “Rethink Church” initiative have come up with a photographic way to do this (see below). I am going to add a poem with each image for the lent season to help prepare myself. Feel free to glom on to the idea, visit the blog and read, or share your thoughts and prayers.