Luci Shaw's reflections

Out of words myself this week, I relish these poems from Christian writer of poetry and essays Luci Shaw at age 91, in her new book The Generosity. She reflects on this anxious time which we find ourselves, reminding us that the Spirit has us tethered…
 
VIRUS
 
The absurdity of a world
on its knees, behind its doors,
whose fingers, even, may be traitors
and whose breath, created for living,
may breed death. Its instruction:
Split up. Stay apart. This is now
The ultimate act of friendship.
 
Like the moon of light at the bottom
of the well, hope shines small,
But if we stay, head over edge,
we may watch the deep water shimmer
with supple possibilities. At noon
a pale sun shines, telling us
we may still live in the light.
 
HOW?
 
How shall we sing the Lord’s songs
in a strange land? The old rhythms,
the melodies of praise, strangle
in our throats and the words
fall to the ground like leaves in autumn.
The air thickens with suspicion and doubt
and who’s to say anymore, what
is true enough to last, to prevail?
 
Isolation feels like a punishment
for offenses we never performed.
 
Let us trust, now the ground under
our feet—that which has proven steady
for generations. Look up. The heavens
are still there unclouded beatific.
We breathe, even though masks clothe
our faces. Prayer surrounds us, close
as our skin, weaving for us garments of
trust and solace. Even in our isolation
we are joined in love, never alone.
 
Grace and peace,
Anita Sorenson
Pastor for Spiritual Formation