Having once been possessed
This urban garden on this ghetto corner where homeless naturally are drawn
And birds, and fruit trees—is enough to say thanks over and over daily.
Thanks becomes one’s only thought
And turns out to dispel all that is not in life.
Love displaces all that is not loving.
Love changes the atmosphere, or rather
Makes it what it really is—more itself.
Yes, Love makes things more themselves,
Therefore more named and beautiful.
For God is Love, as they all said in different ways.
Our response to love is thanks. And the birds
And homeless know it when they see it.

Saying yes to being here:

It is enough to say yes daily
I am here, thanks. When we do,
The birds gather in our trees and sing
Each in their own names.
And everyone becomes a new friend.
Every creature newly named by Love.

Take walks, read poetry listen to the birds
Be. That is Sunday. There is nothing left to do today
But be. That is all. Thanks.

Love is a direction not a state.
Love is a way not a goal or ideal.
When one loves, one is leaning in the Right Direction
To make knowing more possible

With all my circle of saints above
I sit here, on this day, in this room
In thanks. Hearing all our voices being themselves together
All praising in their unique cadences and tones.

On naming things….
Everything has a name
Which does not divide it
But makes it whole. Whispered by Love,
That name is all we are.
Says the Father of all names.

On staying alive:

All that is alive inside is welcomed here
My urban garden monastery is open for that
Business twenty four seven. And the birds
And homeless know it, and father naturally
To what is living. And the dead come close
To resurrect. And I have become that
Urban monastery on this corner, for all who pass by!

This is to become local
To be so deeply in life and love
That birds and homeless gather
And children wave and smile
As they pass by my urban monastery
On this ghetto corner. In me,
Love has been localized, shining right here
And drowning all that is alive
Into the arms of her urban garden.

Know Him in planting trees
Know Him in watching breeze pass through leaves
Know him in building
Know him in demolition
Know him in singing
Know him in silence
Know him in words
Know him in what is not written
Or space between words—Ma.
Know him in positive and negative space
Whether in palaces or prisons—know Him.
Know him in pleasure
Know him in pain
Know him in sunshine
Know him in rain
Just know him.
Know him in health
Know him in sickness
Know him in wealth
Know him in poverty.
Just know Him.