Found Poems and Facing Contentment
My friend picked me up from the airport Sunday morning and we drove into the city of LA with a view and perspective I had yet to have after living here a little over two years. The beauty of the mountains and sunshine and palm trees after spending a week of gloomy skies in the midwest was such a deep contrast that it reached all the way to my soul. I spent a week visiting family, hometown, and memories; it was truly one of those "fastest week ever" weeks spent in life, ending with a silent retreat in Nashville with my spiritual director. At some point during my 10 days away, I realized that the last 5 would be spent each night in a different bed, in 4 different cities, totaling 6 nights in different beds in 5 cities in less than 2 weeks. What a summary! It reminds me of the words of the Son of Man: "Foxes have dens, and birds of the sky have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head." I'm full of gratitude and awe at God's faithful provision and grace.
After a full but refreshing time away from LA, that drive from the airport captured something new since I've been on this journey as a follower of Jesus. What I've known in these past nine years is the struggle for contentment, consistent moving, questioning if I'm running away, never quite sure the destination, plans always different than I had planned myself. At this point in time, I understand the reality of living in a temporary world so much greater, yet my sense of home, beauty, and security is stronger than ever. I actually want to be where I am, and know, right in the center of God's will. I think I'm truly finding my refuge in God Himself.
Poetry is marking my month of October. It's truly been a thread through many seasons of my life. While visiting my parents, I typed out some old rough drafts of poetry found in stacks of journals snug in boxes in a closet. God is doing a new thing. Look! It's already begun. While I was there, I celebrated my 9th anniversary of spiritual life! On that anniversary day, we visited the Underground Railroad Freedom Center in Cincinnati. We spent time in two exhibits. (1) was history and testimony of the African slave trade to the Americas, Civil War, and Emancipation. (2) was a display of modern day slavery.
I'm investing in the invitation to reflect my own story these past 9 years... the story of being enslaved to sin to becoming alive and FREE. In many ways, I've only just obtained this freedom. But poetry isn't the only thread. Compassion. Depth and Creativity. Justice. Mercy. Seeking True Love. Movement. Dance. Exploring Self. Exploring God. Loving God. Loving Others.
Here's a poem I found that resonated with past meeting present, paving the way for future-- of course, a future greater and better than I might ever think or imagine or plan it to be myself.
After a full but refreshing time away from LA, that drive from the airport captured something new since I've been on this journey as a follower of Jesus. What I've known in these past nine years is the struggle for contentment, consistent moving, questioning if I'm running away, never quite sure the destination, plans always different than I had planned myself. At this point in time, I understand the reality of living in a temporary world so much greater, yet my sense of home, beauty, and security is stronger than ever. I actually want to be where I am, and know, right in the center of God's will. I think I'm truly finding my refuge in God Himself.
Poetry is marking my month of October. It's truly been a thread through many seasons of my life. While visiting my parents, I typed out some old rough drafts of poetry found in stacks of journals snug in boxes in a closet. God is doing a new thing. Look! It's already begun. While I was there, I celebrated my 9th anniversary of spiritual life! On that anniversary day, we visited the Underground Railroad Freedom Center in Cincinnati. We spent time in two exhibits. (1) was history and testimony of the African slave trade to the Americas, Civil War, and Emancipation. (2) was a display of modern day slavery.
I'm investing in the invitation to reflect my own story these past 9 years... the story of being enslaved to sin to becoming alive and FREE. In many ways, I've only just obtained this freedom. But poetry isn't the only thread. Compassion. Depth and Creativity. Justice. Mercy. Seeking True Love. Movement. Dance. Exploring Self. Exploring God. Loving God. Loving Others.
Here's a poem I found that resonated with past meeting present, paving the way for future-- of course, a future greater and better than I might ever think or imagine or plan it to be myself.
Unfinished (Date circa 2013)
I.
I watched a documentary about the sex industry--
women and girls labeled "merchandise".
"Treated as cattle," she said.
"Treated as cattle," she said.
The success of money lovers' disgusting agenda breeds
compassion so thick I don't call it compassion--
wretched, betrayal of brothers
and the overwhelming, overarching question:
How do we fix this-- we as in humanity; we as in women;
we as in man-- How can we stop this?
II.
Education brings back recollection:
heart leaving body
mind disconnecting
spirit decaying from abuse,
the sacred prohibited from value,
degradation,
the lack to choose.
III.
Take all the layers off,
untainted joy uncovered.
IV.
The knowledge of reality reminded me
why I was called to go and why I went.
There were two karaoke clubs on the street where I lived, just off
Road Three, BB, Cambodia... but I never went past the entrance.
Enter in. Be provoked. A call to do something--
to draw people
on the other side of the earth, in Nevada, in Toledo, Ohio,
back to Truth.
back to Truth.
V.
A sound mind
keeps emotions in line with reality
--Keep emotions in line with Truth--
notices the journey,
notices the pattern.
There is always a pattern.
"Do not be conformed to the patterns of this world
but be transformed by the renewing of your mind."
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