Clarion: Journal of Spirituality and Justice

Is it possible that the war is over? -- by Eric Janzen

When I saw the figure he was jumping the line
and hopping over trenches,
rolling up razor wire,
and, of all things, laughing.

AFN Chief Phil Fontaine's Response to Apology

The Canvas - part 1 -- by A.G.

i open my eyes and right in front of me is a work of art on a canvas,
it stretches up as high as i can see,
as far down as i can see,
as far to the left and to the right of me as i can see.

the background is quite dark,
the colors muted.
people's faces are not more than blotches, indistinguishable.
i am aware that time has both eroded and left a layers of pollutants on it
it is not what is was meant to be. 
restoration is calling.

The Canvas - part 2 -- by A.G.

the canvas - is His canvas
the pencil, His
the pen,
the hand, His

the thought,
the word,
the hope,
the truth,

all of these things He has given to you...  He has woven in you...
that you would touch the expanse of eternity

"Borders" by Christine Pendleton

"Borders"

Oh, the covert dealings of the nations.

Who's side am I on?
Who's side am I on?

Oh, the injustice of war;
The suffering of the innocent;
And the growth of the poor and needy.

Who's side am I on?
Who's side am I on?

Where death and destruction flaunt their strength;
Where power and influence inflate their cause;
And where passionate cries are yelled from the hearts of both borders.

Who's side am I on?
Who's side am I on?

Let Me tell you of the of the widow, the orphan, the wounded man and defamed woman.
Let Me tell you of the hungry, the ill and the dying.
Let Me show you the face of the leper; the sea of tears I have caught;
                        and the temple full of wailing that I hold dear to My heart.

I am on their side.
I am on their side.

Within whatever border that may be;
That is where I am.

Invited by Jim Hall

Far away but invited
Distant but sought
wandering and apathetic
It's time to go back
Time to see
Time to hear

Welcome to My Living Room by Corinne Vooys

WELCOME TO MY LIVING ROOM

A swirling
Softness
Fills the room, as a fog.
It gently brushes my face, with sweetness and refreshing.
A presence.

I look through the fog and see
Faces of joy,
Which in one world would be seen as a face of the disabled,
but here it is the face of royalty sitting in the throne room,
with dignity.
Others dance,
They dance on the dance floor with loved ones, big and small.

My Prayer for Advent 2007 by Cathy Hardy

It has been hard to say,
            ‘I did what I could’ – when that means
            That I have to admit
            That I can’t hold everything
            Together all the time.

To allow things to fall and crash and break
            To allow things to get lost and not found
            To allow misperceptions and judgements to be – without freaking
            To allow my carefully laid plans to
                        Fall apart
            To allow the feeling of emptiness
                        To come close to me
                        When I feel that things are slipping through my fingers
         
To allow my heart to say
            YES
            To YOU
            In the midst of these moments            

And not lose heart
            To be willing to be turned upside down
            And shaken
            Loose of my firm grip on things
            So I can rest
            In my poverty and humanity
            And celebrate the mystery,
                                    The paradox,
                                                The miracle of
                                                            Emmanuel – God with us.

©2007 Cathy Hardy

Wave of Sorrow - U2

Pay by Chris Janzen

pay ( working title )

the I.M.F. come lookin for their fix
they'll take it in a pound of flesh
everyone makes a dividend off the interest

But a father is put to the test
when he watches his children go off (to make laces)
and he braces himself for another day
for a dollars pay
the minimum wage in the world's work place.

Chris Janzen