Heaven

There is the heaven we enter

through institutional grace

and there are the yellow finches bathing and singing

in the lowly puddle

~



Mary Oliver wrote the above lines
and inspired me...



~

There is the blessing we receive

from ordained clerics

and there is the sunlight sifting through the trees

onto the green forest

There are the holy books from which we learn

the theology of man

and there are the Scribbly Gums

and the tracks of seagulls

There is the communion of people

and of sacraments

and there is walking in awe

in the green blue cathedral of Nature

Later
I related to a friend
how I had been inspired
to write these lines
and she told me about
Longfellow's poem:

My Cathedral

Like two cathedral towers these stately pines

uplift their fretted summits tipped with cones

The arch beneath them is not built with stones

Not art but nature traced these lovely lines,

And carved this graceful arabesque of vines:

No organ but the wind here sighs and moans,

No sepulchre conceals a martyr's bones

No marble bishop on his tomb reclines.

Enter! the pavement, carpeted with leaves,

Gives back a softened echo to thy soft tread!

Listen! the choir is singing;all the birds,

In Leafy galleries beneath the eaves,

Are Singing! listen, ere the sound be fled,

And learn there may be worship without words ..

Oh Holy
Heavenly
Happy days...