Poems of the spirit by Wayne Leman

Jesu, Joy of Man's Desire

Your Glory In the Sky
(based on Psalm 19)

Oh, Lord, your glory is shown near and far.
I'm awed as I look at all that you've done
when you placed the lights in the sky: every star
and the moon for night, for the day, the sun.

They don't speak a word yet I hear what they say
as they teach of your measureless wisdom and might.
I'm ready to learn as they lecture each day
and I know they keep telling of you every night.

You've built a grand home for the sun above.
It awakens each day with the glowing face
of a honeymoon man refreshed with love
or a long distance runner eager to race

from the start at the eastern edge of the sky
then on to the finish line in the west.
As it runs it heats all the earth, and I,
as well, am warmed as I worship then rest.

Oh, Lord of the universe, Lord of my heart,
continue to warm me, continue to guide.
Help me to follow and not stray apart
from your road map so I will stay by your side.

May the words that I say and all that I think
be pleasant to you, my Redeemer, my King.
And when my life takes me close to the brink,
to you, my Fortress, I'll flee, praise, and sing.

1/11/95

Morning Song

Morning dew glistens
as Nature listens
to the music of the dawn.

Chipmunks chatter
and sparrows scatter
while the roosters crow their song.

The rising sun
says the day has begun.
I can't help but sing along

as the songbirds fly
and the dewdrops dry:
I'm alive, and I belong!

Let It Break

Let the dam break.
Let the water flow,
a trickle,
a stream,
a river,
renewed,
refreshed,
washed clean.

Boulder River

An unnamed stream ran just outside our tent.
Nearby, the Boulder River never tired
of talking to itself. Intrigued, I went
to listen in on what it had to say.
I couldn't understand a single word
and yet I sensed the river spoke in tongues
of praise. Perhaps it was that what I heard
was worship, uttered as a stream of speech,
the language yet unnamed.

Fullness

In the fullness of time,
from the fullness of the womb,
came Immanuel,
born in a stable,
to break free from a tomb,
come that we might have life
in all its fullness.

John 10:10

Immanuel:
He took the (w)rap.

Luke 2:12
Matthew 27:28
2 Corinthians 5:21

Rainbow:
arc of the covenant.

Fall Leaves

Fall leaves must die
And so must I
Before I can show
My best colors.

w.l. 1976

Could This Be Love? (a villanelle)

I asked if love from you could feel so good,
could this be love? Perhaps your love is blind.
Why has it been so long misunderstood

what love entails? "And why have you withstood
the pain I've caused, through word or deed maligned?"
I asked. If love from you could feel so good

I need no longer act as if you would
return the wrong. Instead, you are so kind:
Why has it been so long? Misunderstood,

you hung your wide embrace upon rough wood
and hoped I would at last find love enshrined.
I asked if love from you could feel so good--

I had to learn your love would act: I stood
and knew I need no longer seek to find
why. Has it been so long misunderstood,

your love? Oh, yes, but it has yet withstood
my doubts; I grasp this love that you've defined.
I asked if love from you could feel so good,
Why has it been so long misunderstood?

Altar Egos

The orators ascend the steps
before the waiting crowds
and from those heady heights they speak
of what they seem to know.

In case the transcendental one
they claim to deify
is distant, deaf, perhaps asleep,
they shout so he can hear.

The shouting echoes off the walls
of cold and barren rooms
where seekers listen quietly
and hear a softer sound.

w.l. 7/31/94

Offshore Breeze

Heated by the sun's warm light
the earth breathes out an offshore breeze
to cheer those working in the night
on the cool, dark sea.

Likewise, I wish I might
exhale the warmth absorbed by me
to cheer those working in the night
on their cool, dark sea.

w.l. 6/7/94

Reverie

 Slowly, slowly the sluggish afternoon
 awakens from its sleep and stirs slightly
 as the sun drops below MacKenzie Crest.
 The wind begins to whisper dusk's lullaby,
 the same soft melody I await nightly:

     "Hush, child, stop and rest.
      Listen to the evening breeze.
      Night is coming, quiet your thoughts,
      and hear the chimes of canyon trees."

      Transfixed by twilight's tune I turn
      my gaze above and catch by breath,
      then worship as an unseen hand
      brushes flaming golden, orange, then reds
      above the darkening craggy rims.
      The western sky appears to burn.
      I dare not put that fire out:
      It warms me as the darkness spreads.

w.l. 7/31/94

Thirsty

Yes, lead me to the water,
but please don't make me drink.
I need some time to check it out,
Some time to feel and think.

And while we're at the water,
Where I realize I thirst,
It would be a help to me
If I saw you drink first.

w.l. 6/7/9

              Captain

I first heard him knocking on the door of my pilothouse
Then I saw him through the door's window
He had on a spotless white captain's uniform
He looked like a weathered seaman
Yet there was gentleness to his knock.

I motioned to him to come in
He stepped inside and shut the door
But kept his hand on the knob.

Are you sure you want me to come in?
He asked.
Who are you?
I responded.
I wish to be the captain,
He said.

I was startled.

But I'm the captain of my ship
I'm the master of my fate,
I told him.

I know,
He said to me,
But I wish to take command.

Ordinarily I would have called Security
And asked to have this man removed
But there was something about him
I could not figure out.
He seemed so sincere
He didn't look like an imposter
He slowly gazed around my room
Looking at the equipment
        compass
        radio
        radar
        sonar
        smooth worn wheel
Then he turned to me and said kindly,
Nice ship,
You like it, don't you?
And I said,
Yes, I've been captain for many years.



I'd like to help,
He said,
With hand still on the doorknob.

What's going on?
I wondered.
It is true,
I'm tired.
I've done my best,
But there have been some problems,
A grounding,
We were pulled off the bar.
Lost a few times in fog,
The radar hadn't helped then,
I was too far from land.
But
I was the captain of my ship,
I insisted to myself.

He just stood by the door
Clearly not forcing his way in.
I sensed he knew my thoughts.
He finally said, still softly,
Yet with firm confidence,
I know the sea,
I can help.

It was all so new
I knew I needed help.
But this was so unusual.

Finally I asked him,
Would I still have my hands on the wheel?

Yes,
He said.
Shall I show you how?

Then I,
The captain of my ship,
Said,
Yes.

That is when he stepped closer
He looked far ahead
Across the bow
Over the whitecaps
And into the distance
Then stood behind me
And placed his worn hands on mine
        on the worn wheel.

I only wish
        to keep you from the shoals
        to keep the ship on course
        to help when your equipment fails
        to make your job easier,
        he reassured.

And for the first time
I gave my command to another
I risked my ship to someone else
        this man
        in captain's uniform
        who didn't barge in
        but waited for me
        to choose.

w.l.  4/1/93

Sighing

Sighing, sighing in the trees,
an ache that never goes away.

Sighing, sighing in the trees,
the sigh's a song in its own way.

Sighing, sighing in the trees,
the sigh's a friend; it's here to stay.

I sigh, I sing, among the trees,
there's pain, yet joy, conjoined today.

w.l. 6/12/98

Advent thoughts

Dark earth
God saw
stable birth
manger straw

Sudden light
shepherds heard
strange night
hopeful word

Sin-worn
saw child
hope born
king foiled

Still night
sin-worn
sin foiled
Welcome!

29 Nov 1998
(lighting of first candle)

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