#MicroPoetry|January ’18 Reflections

As the Christmas season transitions into the new year, the frenetic pace seems to continue. This marathon – if anything – keeps us from the inward journey and finding space to reflect and consider that which was and imagine that which might be. This A Deacon’s Musing #MicroPoetry, though influenced by the new year context, attempts to remind us that there is always space to simply Be. Sometimes we just need support and reminding that it is okay to sit, pause and breathe.

We live not only in an individualised society, but one that is isolating. We are encouraged to fear and hide ourselves from both ourselves and one another. Yet from a spiritual vantage, steeped in the rich history of the mystics, this A Deacon’s Musing explores how we are revealed when we trust to the Spirit. When we reveal ourselves, we may very discover aspects of ourselves that are truly remarkable. In turn, in our own discovery, we may be present to recognise that in the Other.

Imagination: if there is any one gift that I believe Creator has given the human species that I celebrate it is our creativity. We may be inspired by the words of poetry or the intonation of harmony. The very act of imagination, in my experience, is the cause and the notes of the scales and the cadence of beautiful prose are the effect. This A Deacon’s Musing tries to capture that in this this #MicroPoetry #Verse.

We celebrate the children in our lives and that is indeed a blessing and gift. I also think that sometimes we overlook, forget, disregard that they also come into the world challenging those who bear, nurture and raise them. They question our choices, interrogate what we have done and hold us to account in ways that we might wish to romanticise away. This A Deacon’s Musing attempts to reflect that relationship through a #Verse of #MicroPoetry.

This #MicroPoetry #Verse was inspired by meeting a new friend on twitter. We were discussing #MeToo. I shared my intention to walk as an ally, but that I was also very aware I always must be cautious not to interject myself, via the assumptions of privilege and power that my gender affords me. From the gift of that conversation, this poetic musing was born.

In this A Deacon’s Musing #MicroPoetry I was struck how we “soften” and “romanticise” concepts such as compassion and grace. As well, I was also musing about how we glorify imperatives, commands, that are action oriented and even possess an implicit violent undertone. In this #Verse, therefore, I was trying to subvert that romantic ideal of compassion and grace with imperatives.

I was watching television while at the gym recently. I was struck by the amount of advertisements there were in respect to saving for retirement. Whether mutual funds or high interest bank accounts, it seemed there was a repetitive loop during each break in the show I was watching. As I was musing for this A Deacon’s Musing #MicroPoetry, I began to imagine compassion and the spark of the Holy we each are as a form of currency. That, in turn, got me to play with the metaphor subversively. In particular, spending and giving away with abandon …

Taking the plunge is scary. When we reflect and discern about change or adjusting life-choices or helping others do something different, often what we know can suddenly feel safe, even if it is not life-giving or soul-enriching. This #MicroPoetry attempts to capture that sense of exhilaration when we are about to challenge habits and leap into the unknown …

I love the idea or concept of unity. Not in the sense of flattening each of us into a grey monotone, but that the collection of diversity we are unifies us in a manner that is beautiful. I have also thought, when those moments of insight happen, there is often joy and laughter. Even in the midst of difficult circumstances, those times invite us to peer past ourselves and see deep seated and central connexions. This A Deacon’s Musing attempts to capture that idea in a #MicroPoetry #Verse.

In this #MicroPoetry #Verse I am trying to explore the poles of apathy and risking, imagination and the status quo. I imagine these poles can also be described as slumber and arising. Taking risks and failing are not something we nurture well – rather than dreaming what might be, we are often invested in maintaining the safe and the predictable. This musing tries to invite us to consider the joy there might be when we collectively or individually take a chance – whatever that might be.

Time’s passage is often difficult for each of us. Too often we see our lives as a linear line. We often do not celebrate life’s cycle in a culture that is often focused on youth and satisfaction acquired through what we attain and consume. This #MicroPoetry attempts to capture the abundance that is our lives in recognising the blessings of milestones that become more apparent when we are mindful of them.

We are often distracted by romanticising the past or placing our hopes in the future. It is not often we recognise or are reminded that right now is where we will always be. We may learn from the past, in order to imagine something new, but it begins, every time, in this moment. This A Deacon’s Musing endeavours to capture this reality in this #MicroPoetry #Verse.