The light that dulls Light

stretches to find the top

of the brush line. The deep

Darkness of the sky cannot

be matched by the genius

of glass and filament charged

by electric currents. In the

bright Darkness shine the Life

Sources of other worlds. Perfectly

placed, crisp fall air makes the stars

twinkle as though they had mischief

in their eyes, delighting in the wishes

spoken by hopeful Lovers, revealing

to poets their sweet songs of joy.

By Ram Lopez – 21 October 2016 – F9 Ranch

This is the second of seven poems written over a three day period during the annual School of Theology Dubose Lectures. The little stone home, Pollywood, in which I stayed and where these were written sits along a bluff guarded by trees who have seen more sunrises than I. It is not far from the Natural Bridge.

Faces familiar.

Greetings sound warmly

Arms embrace remembering

Days long ago when hopes

Overflowed for a future

Of changing lives, sharing

Good News to transform the loss

In a world pained deeply yet

Still not as damaged as it will

Become as the years brought

Burden after burden into our lives

Yet somehow the aches and pains

Of our souls are eased in a moment

Of joyful reunion among companions

Who have undertaken a common

Journey from the Holy Mountain

To carry the Light of our Savior

To those who wander in the

Darkest valleys of daily life.

Ram Lopez – 27 September 2016 – Sewanee, TN

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This is one of seven poems written over a three day period during the annual School of Theology Dubose Lectures. The little stone home, Pollywood, in which I stayed and where these were written sits along a bluff guarded by trees who have seen more sunrises than I. It is not far from the Natural Bridge.

Arriving

The Mountain stands

Tall, imposing, welcoming those –

Whose upward trek completed –

Find refuge within Gates

Where Angels roam freely

Returned now after their long

Duty protecting Sons and Daughters

During their sojourn in lands

Afar from the rustling leaves

Of tall oaks and singing birds

Singing songs of welcome

Whistling in dulcet notes the

Song – “Once embraced by the

Master of this Mountain, no matter

How far you travel, the Welcome is

Sweet, your soul’s Feast is served.

You, my Child, are arrived Home.”

By Ram Lopez – 27 September 2016 – Sewanee, TN 

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Then Jesus said to the Samaritan cleansed from leprosy, “Get up and go on your way; your faith has made you well.” (Luke 17.19 – NRSV)

By Ram Lopez

6 October 2016

“Your faith…”

My faith. Our faith.

There’s not much faith

in my fear-filled life. Awaiting

Your healing Word

in the midst of my brokenness

is a trial of endurance.

Can I hang on?

Will I find the other side?

Or will I, like Moses, reach the edge

of the journey home, see the

longed-for shore

and be denied entrance?

“Your faith,” you say.

But it is not my faith that can carry

my burdened heart. I need

Your faith. Your faith in Your

Father’s love, in your Father’s

powerful desire for all of me.

“…has made you well.”

Curious is my new reality.

I no longer bear the outward

signs of my illness. This is not

a new experience. Often have

the wounds covered over

giving the appearance of curing.

Yet, deep within, I felt the seeds

of sickness germinating,

awaiting the moment

of painful sprouting yet again.

But by your Word the

wounds have scabbed and

I do not feel the silent regrouping

of the sickness massing to

mount it’s next charge.

I feel well. I sense change deep

within.  All that remains are

scars from the battle I could not

fight or win. But You, Your Faith,

has made me well. Your Word

has the power to heal.  Your

Faith gives power to trust.

“Go your way,” You said. And

I go. Yet I know I do not travel alone

any longer. I am well. All is well.

“…go on your way…”

My journey to the far edge of life

continues on and on. Yet, though

many miles have grown between

that moment and now, You are

with me. As the longed-for shore

of Life becomes more focused

within my sight, I have no despair.

The edge is but the first step of

a new journey.  By Your Faith,

I will walk into the place

where no sickness, no pain

roams.  Only the Promised Life

of Hope, Mercy and Love

walking in plain Sight of

the One who takes my sickness

and gives me His Wholeness

inviting my thankful praise.

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Photo credit: Kristy Lynn Cloud

Bright and whole,

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Morning brings life.

The sun reveals what

hides in the shadows.

The dark is swept

away. All is well.

Clouds disappear.

The breeze stirs.

Shivering the leaves

the Spirit is alive.

20 October 2016

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Forms

taking shape

surrounding, bounding

new possibilities for new life

creating, calling out

of nothing all

life.

Words

sounding clear

defining, bringing

fresh expressions of grace

giving, nurturing in

us a gentle

life.

Dawn

sun peeking

brightening, revealing

the first gasps of day’s breath

speaking, moving

towards joyful

life.

20 October 2015

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