"For presently we see through a glass in obscurity; but then, face to face. Presently, I know in part; but then I will know fully, even as I have been fully known." (I Cor 13:12)
glass.
it reflects, refracts, splits, conceals, reveals
forms barriers or openings
cuts, restrains
or it can guide our eyes to the most beautiful of things
it can be colored or plain
transparent or opaque
shattered or whole
fragile or strong
I hope you enjoy our poets' reaction to the concept of glass.
We have two new poets joining the circle this time:
Kendra Fiddler
Amy Marshall
Kendra Fiddler
Amy Marshall
Trust
by Maaike
See in these hands
shards of an ocean,
blue stabs, broken
glass.
Nearness is a dagger
all I touch bleeds.
My wounds beget
wounds.
Trust is suicide.
He reaches, grasps tight
the Red Father cradles my blue.
His tears fall, crystallized
glass,
each one a world that is
whole. In His grip, plaster eyes
crack. Through the dust I see
you,
my enemy of glass.
but what is this
red,
red,
red around us?
wounded and wounder side by side
tears bathe shards,
blue runs into liquid rivers
crystallizing in courage
(still the Red Father sands
the shattered self,
polishes, smooths)
Nearness is a promise
the ingathering of an ocean
fragments build a globe
of blue,
and trust is life.
We are children of the King
encircled by a rainbow,
enthroned by a sea of glass.
Stained.
by Timothy Reed
we espouse transparency –
if only fate were so kind
purpose is not always clear
garnet and amethyst
emerald and aspen
(arsenic grants the richest hue)
the yellow king no longer reigns –
he must pay his admission as
fragmentation becomes
the basis of beauty.
Topsy turvy, topsy turvy.
As they behold the window,
they no longer wonder
what’s beyond.
Window
by Amy Marshall
You're near.
Right
on the other side
of the glass.
Warm clouds obscure
I'm holding breath –
Hoping to see...
Can you see me?
Finally gasp
as The Light goes through it.
Prismatic Hope
I can see
All of me is seen.
Untitled
by bethany rené
the fragile glass heart
shattered, scattered, fragmented
under weight of grace
Shattering Shadows
by Kendra Fiddler
Language—
one of too many
cloaks concealing
the Divine.
Institution
an occultation,
a haze on the glass
into which we look,
bringing only
shadows.
Answers
a distraction
impeding
transformation,
keeping us all
clothed.
The forms empty,
the words mere form;
religion itself void
of life.
Sanctuary too dimly lit,
with too many curtains,
light ever veiled—
glory always concealed.
What good is Scripture
if God is not speaking?
What good is church
if God does not attend?
God tore the curtain
two thousand years ago
but institution stitched
it shut again.
Hungering,
aching,
burning
with no one
to unveil me—
or Him.
(How can they
introduce you
when they haven’t
met Him either?)
Thirsting for face to face
but seeing only mirrors
and smoke,
curtains
and thunder
unquenched,
unsatiated,
unfilled.
But reconversion
pursued me.
God is uniquely present
in prisons of death
and darkness, even those
made of curtains
or ourselves.
Suffering, the womb
that incubates,
the blaze that purifies,
that strips of self
and calls forth love,
where glory spills,
messy, over
all things.
The dimness cleared,
darkness lit
The forms were breathed
on, came to life;
The Words cut into me
and I live, now, pierced.
I’m asked,
How can you love Him
if you have not known Him—
ah, but how can you know Him
unless you have loved Him?
With unveiled face,
I see the face
behind the veil
and it is God
and me
and
everyone.
Introduction to our new Poets:
Kendra Fiddler:
Kendra has just discovered the necessity of poetry in the last two years or so and is quickly making up for lost time, jotting down poems or parts thereof nearly every day. "From" is a slippery question that's difficult to answer for nomads, but she quickly belongs just about anywhere. She's currently pursuing graduate studies in comparative theology of the Abrahamic Religions.
Amy Marshall:
Amy Opal Marshall is a globetrotting, mountain-climbing, coffee-drinking student of Christian theology and spiritual formation. She is passionate about the Church, singleness, and marginalized people. Her greatest aspiration is to love God with all that she is, to love all people, and to love all of Creation, so she’s living her days in that direction.
Amy occasionally shares poetry and other sorts of musings at abeautifulgrace.blogspot.com
