Days Hazed, When Such Winter Chill, and Light Too Bright to Behold

days hazed,

holding their knowing,

known in hope only,

open too slowly,

while these days

filled too full

quit too quickly, knowing not yet caught.

yet hazed days

are wonders working,

slowly seen,

but granting sight

so that in these days

our lame leave burdens behind—

and carry us;

and hearts fill full;

and knowing catches us.

when such winter chill creeps up close so swift

slow-seeping,

pausing, playing,

bitter and bracing,

racing,

wheel-racing turning for turning

and one stops still——

to turn to embrace the chill:

in this embrace

of what was thought

unworthy, too wintry,

winter itself is redeemed, redemptive,

remade by Fire to be Fire’s edge;

and Fire’s heart embraces what was always Fire’s own;

Fire now allowed to creep up close

seeps in so swift,

pausing, playing,

carving, embracing,

in every recess assuring,

unwilling to ever abandon this heart-of-My-Heart

turned to My Heart.

to Martha, then:

of tasks begetting tasks

there is but one that is required:

stop and turn, invite, embrace, and fill each heart with fire.

You call me “light too bright to behold,”

and say I focus on the speck of imperfection,

when You see the ocean of joy and love instead.

I am so small;

and yet You call me to Your side,

and ask me as Your partner

to labor love and light,

rebuilding and remaking

the world into Your image bit by bit.

You insist on inviting

everyone we meet

to enter Your heart through mine,

whether or not I notice.

And You remind me to rest,

to be gentle with myself,

Your providence being so big

it provides everything for all,

knowing even the smallest need

and answering in time,

transforming us slowly,

into light too bright to behold.