i
we have wandered together
in earthly eden––
we remember &
we share
a soft filament of recollection
flutters before our eyes––
matching the light & shape
& colors
we know as
paradise
we arrive where we belong––
in a quiet churchyard
in early afternoon
in full spring blossoming
ii
we found a place
to rest our minds &
fill our hearts
with time
a place where names
whisper quietly in an emblazoned
book––
& prayers are spoken
for diaphanous souls––
dead, living & to come
iii
the day will dawn
when our molecules
merge together
in dust
when we touch
the secret lives
of rooted things––
we’ll inspire the forsythia
to burst into bloom for the sky––
or how the crocus
into stretching up
not down––
& when the daffodil
decides to taste us,
we’ll add our
radiance
to the yellow flame
iv
we believe in a God
of love & light
that manifests the formless form––
the contradiction
animating
the paradox––
the breath that fills
all space with gravity
& will––
the creator of dreams
& of dreamers &
the universes where
dreams & dreamers
thrive
v
we believe in Jesus,
the son of God
& the son of man––
for we are all
children of God &
children of men,
every one
we believe in Jesus
the healer, the prophet,
the teacher, the rabbi,
the messiah of peace
the gentle kindness
of his being
cannot die
vi
the holy spirit
energizes the bones
& fills the soul with life
the heart
caressed alike by shadow
& by light
embraces the glowing
& the dark––
this is grace
& grace is sacred
vii
we revive in a community
of souls
in the presence
of swirling clouds of
spirit––
all that ever was––
or will be––
is within us &
around us
forever
here & now
viii
blessing & blessed
we sing out wordlessly
with joy