Singing Songs of Love

It is the calm before the storm

or so I am told

by those who know such things

 

the wind will come

so too the rain (and sometimes snow)

and the trees will roar their complaint

even as the thirsty ground gives thanks

 

storms it seems, always come

 

sometimes we see them coming

as the clouds gather and the mountains hide

and the gray darkness

rolls across the valley

 

sometimes they catch us by surprise

and we are caught

unawares

and unprepared

 

so too the storms

that arise in our souls

that gather in our minds,

and roar through our hearts

shaking us to our core

 

sometimes we see them coming

sometimes we are caught by surprised

 

always, always

we are shaken

 

this is a time of storms

there are storms without

 

hurricanes of course

and winter’s assault

but also the storms of hate and greed

the chaotic tumult created by those who lust for power

 

the storms of falsehood

and cruelty

and manipulation

 

there are storms within

as we struggle with our fears

our desires

our prejudices

 

and when the storms meet

 

Sweet Jesus!

 

and so as we are blown this way and that

as we are buffeted and beaten

but those terrible winds

that come from the mountains and the mouths of men (and women)

 

we cry out

we reach out

we breathe

we center

we calm

 

and we keep going

left foot, right foot, left foot

breathe

 

and we find the eye of the storm

which is that which is Sacred

which is love

 

and we allow that calm to enter our hearts

we welcome that love into our hearts

our fragile but fertile hearts

 

in the midst of the storm

we stand

and sing

songs of love