JustPeace and Chris Wiman
On November 12 and 13 I attended the 10th Anniversary Gathering of JustPeace, the United Methodist Center for Mediation and Conflict Transformation. About 35 of us reflected on the first …
Flared Cherry Bowl
I recently completed this cherry bowl from a tree on our property. I made it for a good friend of many years in Atlanta. I wanted it to represent an …
Felix Sciatica
Augustine claimed that only if we all were infected with an “original sin” could Christ the redeemer have come into the world. No sin, no redemption. No fallen Adam, no …
Love and Landscape
Three poems surfaced in the last two weeks. They may seem a little overheated, fresh from the oven. I share them with you for your enjoyment and welcome comment. Artists …
Getting to the Table
The past few months in American politics brings this reflection to the fore for your reflection and response. In 2008 a majority of Americans expressed, through their votes, a longing …
Bowl of Peace
My last few weeks have been consumed with preparations for the annual Lake Junaluska Peace Conference, for which I was Chair of the Worship and Arts Committee. This year’s theme …
Where Are Those Friends?
This poem emerged from my ongoing (never-ending?) archiving project. I’m sure it reflects a widespread feeling. Where are those friends who have drifted downstream so far from our still grinding …
I’m Telling You Walls
Find what you want or need to in this poem. It just showed up from nowhere. I’m telling you walls, stay firm on foundation, don’t walk off this land on …
Highlands Book Fair
On Saturday, September 11, I will be at the “Celebration of Books” in the Highlands Civic Center, Highlands, NC, from 9 am to 3 pm. Around 12:20 I will be …
Poetry: Musing and Reading
On Thursday, August 19, I will be reading and reflecting on my poetry at 10:30 am for the “Coffee with the Poets” group at City Lights Bookstore, Sylva, NC. The …
Roundtable Worship Guide is Online!
I am pleased to announce that the book Roundtable Worship: A Reflective Guide is now available online at the website for JustPeace. Just go to the site (https://justpeaceumc.org/) and you’ll …
Two Fundamentalisms
I have been reading Karen Armstrong’s The Case for God during the Senate hearings for Elena Kagan, Obama’s latest nominee for the Supreme Court. In both cases I was absorbed …
Ligaments of Love
Ligaments of love hold life erect, pump tendrils out across the clearing where the giant tree has fallen. In dappled light we gather, sing, let weeping like lianas fall to …
Dirt and Life
Thanks to recommendations from two friends, I have been enjoying the writings of Barry Lopez and William Bryant Logan. North Carolina poet Kay Byer, after hearing about the ecological framework …
Body Match
For many years Sylvia and I have kept a list of body types that seem matched in happy conjugation, as if drawn together by a magnetism created solely by their …
Invictus — The Sequel
As the US and Algerian soccer teams were resting up for their match in the World Cup, Sylvia and I watched the film Invictus, Clint Eastwood’s deft visualization of Nelson …