Life’s deep secrets contain echoes of eternity, breath of love, hint of loss and eventual leave-taking. For we cannot love well, fully and freely without seeing and sensing the sharp contrast of light and shade together, which involves a kind of holy listening to life itself, acknowledging those smudgy grey areas we all inhabit.
When we raise our awareness, become accustomed to holy whispers making themselves known to us in the midst of the mundane, we soon realise that we share those deep secrets—both concealed and laid bare—as glorious partakers and curious onlookers observing God’s work in this world.
In turn we become holy listeners, those who wait on the Word, seek out Truth, hoping to hear heaven’s heartbeat, to bear its joy and sorrow, become saturated in its love, mercy and forgiveness, as we learn the wisdom and discernment only God can impart. Then we offer these things as gift to all, especially those in our sphere of influence.
In my first magnetic poetry poem below (made with the Original Set), holy listening can be interpreted as you see fit.
Holy Listening
She said vast dark secrets
of old dazzle like dance
a brilliant word for
this holy listening
I can bring cake
give me warm ocean
breeze lingering in
cloudy night air to
celebrate their wake
My second poem—made using the Poet Set—examines love and loss, inextricably linked as one heart-rending experience.
Love and Loss
love is our mad sun
or it’s cool as death
whispered lies to the wind
wanting one last symphony
bitter as black mist
her arms were
daylight bare
languid as language
What is God whispering to you this week?
How is this magnetic poetry speaking to you?
I’d love to hear in the comments below. 🙂
Poetry Joy 
Reblogged this on Pastor Michael Moore's Blog and commented:
Holy listening is very much needed… thanks, Joy!
Michael, you are a treasure! Bless you, Brother, for your kind heart. ❤
❤❤
“those smudgy grey areas” are all too familiar. Then this line(!): “I can bring cake” tantalizes my senses, my hopes, and imagination. It re-orders my whole outlook this morning. Thank you!
Laurie, though the book may have suggested otherwise, I’m convinced life is far more than just 50 shades of grey. Praise God for the colour and beauty He weaves through the darkest of days! Yes, cake seems perfect to me for deep conversation, especially of the holy listening kind. It’s possible that more than tea and sympathy are required. All aspects of holy listening involve a bit of divine sweetness, yes? I wish we could meet up for real and offer one another coffee, cake and great conversation. Meanwhile, you have my love, hugs and prayers. xo
Oh, I’d adore that. Bet we’d talk for hours. I so enjoyed cream teas when I was in England. What kind of cake might we nibble? 🙂
A slice from each one on offer, maybe? I love dark, dense chocolate cake, mainly because I’ve not got that sweet a tooth and only like dark (80% at least) chocolate. Fruit cake is another favourite of mine. But in your company I don’t mind what I eat. Just bring on the cakes/tea/coffee and let us natter away! xo ❤
Dear Joy, I can hear echoes of the beauty in your own heart, even as you share these simple lines of poetry, using a new framework! But this beginning sentence is what really jumped out at me today: “Life’s deep secrets contain echoes of eternity, breath of love, hint of loss and eventual leave-taking.” I think those “echoes of eternity” are what God lets us hear, even in each other, when we really pause long enough to listen. Thank you for sharing these beautiful words today, my friend! xoxo
Dear Bettie, thank you for listening for and hearing those echoes in me. Your innate spiritual sensitivity is a beautiful grace gift I treasure. And how I appreciate these wise words from you too: “I think those “echoes of eternity” are what God lets us hear, even in each other, when we really pause long enough to listen.” Amen,my friend! May your times of stillness yield more wonderful listening and thoughtful reflection. Thank you for adding greatly to the conversation here! xoxo
“…vast secrets /of old dazzle like dance/a brilliant word for/this holy listening…” Joy, this whole post is beautiful, but those lines really stood out to me. I think of old times, even Bible times, where there are some good words that brighten the darkness. I love the way you put words together. One of these days I’m going to try out this magnetic poetry. It seemed overwhelming to me at first, but Kat gave me a good suggestion. 🙂 Blessings to you, my dear friend! xoxo
Gayl, I’m so pleased you like this week’ magnetic poetry exercise, and more delighted by the way you have taken these thoughts and run with them so imaginatively, because I had hoped readers would interpret the poems in their own way. Do have a go if you feel able to. I just jumped in with both feet, no prior knowledge but plenty of enthusiasm! Though I did ask Kat how she got her screen images into such beautiful photos, but was unable to fully implement her suggestions. She’s very kind and helpful. Maybe I should have asked her first how to go about composing the poems! Happy creating, dear friend, no matter where that might take you. I’d love to try the found photo collage idea you shared on Instagram. it looks really cool and artistic. xoxo
Love! So much THIS: “In turn we become holy listeners, those who wait on the Word, seek out Truth, hoping to hear heaven’s heartbeat, to bear its joy and sorrow, become saturated in its love, mercy and forgiveness, as we learn the wisdom and discernment only God can impart. Then we offer these things as gift to all, especially those in our sphere of influence.”
Thanks, Tara! I love your enthusiastic and focused response to what you read. It’s a real gift of grace. Bless you, friend. xo
Dear Joy, what lovely and luscious magnetic poetry to brighten and inspire the day!! I love your artistic presentation and the gorgeous images. I just love magnetic poetry and had Abi try it out a few months ago. Now I think it’s time to bring it out again!
Dear Jenneth, how glad I am to have been instrumental in helping to “brighten and inspire” your day! As you can see, I am new to the art of using magnetic poetry but really enjoying giving it a go. If you have a set at home, or prefer to try online like I have, I hope you enjoy it all over again! Bless you, poet friend. xo
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