At the Grotto

Orange butterfly
alights on purple flower--
prays with Bernadette.

Ember Days

I feel the coolness
in the quiet harvest night
and offer thanks

exhausted and still
in the encroaching darkness--
reaching out to God

a sweet breeze
the gentle touch
of God

in the cool of the morning
God waters the world

sweetest flowers
Our Lady's mantel
gently blooms

small and helpless
in the palm of His Hand
I rest in God

small and brown
in God's ecosystem
tiny bird

you pour out
the oil into my hands
some remains

in prayer
stepping back to see the rose
amid the thorns