Poems from a Park Bench

Over the years I've collected numerous poems I've written as part of a practice of writing a daily email devotion, Ruminations and Reflections. In rummaging through the dusty archives in search of the poems for this collection, I found a fairly common thread. And not surprisingly, the thread revealed something of the theology and heart of the poet that prances inside this pastor's heart. There are some basic truths to which I dearly cling. I believe God is present in the simplest of things, in life's ordinary moments, people and places. I believe holy ground happens wherever and whenever God make's God's presence known, which means that holy ground abounds! The key for me and for you, is having eyes to see and ears to hear. Though ultimately our ability to catch a glimpse or whiff of heaven is dependent upon God, I do believe the good Lord often provides us with fellow sojourners to help us find our way. That's where poetry comes in. Poetry often speaks to the heart in ways that prose cannot. I don't understand nor can I explain it. I have no verifiable facts to back up my claim. Poetry can delight and disturb. Carefully chosen words are like pliable clay in the hands of the potter-poet. And though I will carefully stop short of elevating myself to the status of poet, I do affirm that I bring a love of poetry to my pastoral work. Thus, what you now hold in your hands.