To sea...

Lucy Muir: I don't know anything about the sea, except that it is romantic.
Captain Gregg: Hmm. That's what all landsmen think. Seamen know better.
Lucy Muir: Then why do they go to sea?
Captain Gregg: Because they haven't the sense to stay ashore.

--from The Ghost and Mrs. Muir, 1947

from Vespers of Palm Sunday

"For it is written; I will strike the Shepherd, and the sheep of the flock shall be dispersed. But after I shall be risen again, I will go before you into Galilee: there you shall see Me, says the Lord. "

Simplicity

A little drink,
a little bread,
a little place
to lay my head.
a book to read,
a place to pray,
a song to sing
throughout the day.
Such work to do
as God has planned,
that I may help
my fellow man.
A soul at peace
and truly free.
To live happily
in simplicity.

Between the lines

At first you came right up to me,
a little shy, but bolder as the time went on.
You came so close, you could have touched me
then and there; but suddenly you vanished
into thin air, leaving me to wonder why
you walked away: but now I know,
though you didn't mean to show me,
that what you wanted was to stay.

Surreal

You stretched out your hand,

and as I went to take it,

you disappeared as quickly

as you first appeared,

leaving me to wonder whether

you were ever there at all.

Or did I dream you? Surreal.

It feels that way.

A Child's Prayer

O my dear, forgive me for my sins.
I am very, very, very, very sorry
for putting more thorns and nails
in your skin, dear Jesus.


--written by Mary Jordan, age 10

April

"The roofs are shining from the rain,
The sparrows twitter as they fly,
And with a windy April grace
The little clouds go by.
Yet the back yards are bare and brown
With only one unchanging tree.
I could not be so sure of Spring
Save that it sings in me."

--Sara Teasdale