My Sheep Shall Hear my Voice: Poem
by Peter Menkin

One listens for Christ,
His voice.

They ask
Many things of Him:
Forgiveness.

Again, with another question
And desire. Forgiveness.

The nature of wanting to know
Christ is in the call, the desire
of Him.
Of themselves, too. One burns.

This poem asks about Christ, wanting him in desire, and ends with the words, "One burns." The statement here is about love, the love that is God and human need to seek one so good, as is Christ. There, I have set it out boldly.

Love is a wonderful subject, and John of the Cross speaks of love in his poetry. For those interested in serious reading on the subject of John of the Cross, and a statement about Christ and God, read "The Impact of God: Soundings from St. John of the Cross," by Iain Matthew. I recommend it.

Repenting and coming back to the Lord in Lent...Imaginary Churchgoer's story...a poem...

Welcome to another in my imaginary group of Churchgoers. For a moment, consider this middle aged woman in Lent who during her lifetime, repented of acts and other matters during this season to return to the Lord. The funny thing about this intelligent woman, our imaginary Churchgoer, is that she also liked Buddhism. Nonetheless, she was a regular Churchgoer. Here is a poem for the beginning of Lent:

Grief at Lenten season...
by Peter Menkin, Feb, 2002

The season days lengthen,
light lasting longer, griefcame to Lisa.
She kept the precepts,and the practices
of the calendar, but only God

knew of her reason to wear
no makeup, adornments,ear rings.
But one level of her penance,
for before God in Christs
he married and divorced,
offering to the Almighty
penance.Seeking forgiveness

and reconciliation she
now acknowleges private sorrow,
wound of the wounded
self.
Abased, but dust and ashes.

Tomorrow she starts opening
her heart, opening her heart,
revealing her heart in Spirit.
Ash Wednesday.
Lent is a balm; its mystery
communicated by devotion
and religious living.

Looking forward to Easter
hymns,to sing,
joy. So soon to reach out
in loss that is human failing
forgiven.
We seek to enter your gates,
Lord.