Ministry of Animals

lesson from some birds

Posted on November 20, 2016 by eteal

they say that birds of a feather flock together…

as if to validate ideas that segregate –

but observation tells a truer story,

even if our feathers don’t match –

we all

share the same air,

and

land on the same earth .

Posted in The Now | Tagged air, birds, birds of a feather, cranes, ducks, eco-chaplaincy, eco-ministry, eco-mysticism, eco-spirituality, ecology, feathers, flight, herons, ink brush painting, interfaith, interspecies spirituality, nature, pigeons, spirituality, sumi-e, together, tolerance, unity | Leave a comment

anointed

Posted on November 19, 2016 by eteal

a bright red bloomed from her forehead,

panic welled up inside me

as i failed to see dance of her tail and the gleam in her eye —

she was in no pain –

just a scrape! silly human woman!

would you like me to show you the hole in the fence?

i washed her up – now that was the affront! –

a dab of ointment and off she went….

while i put fence mending on tomorrow’s to do list….

Posted in The Now | Tagged canine, cuts, dog, eco-chaplaincy, fear, fences, fun, life with dogs, love, poetry, scrapes, sumi-e, terrier mix, toy dogs, wagging tail | Leave a comment

wrinkles

Posted on November 18, 2016 by eteal

The ironing board is draped with calico…

my eyes are heavy with sleep….

some days are just too full of wrinkles

to be profound and deep.

Posted in The Now | Tagged brush painting, calico cat, cat, change of plans, domestic short hair, exhausted, funny poem, humor, iron, ironing board, irony, poetry, spiritual by-pass, spirituality, sumi-e, truth, wrinkles | Leave a comment

play with ME

Posted on November 17, 2016 by eteal

when i forget

that the world is sweet,

a little dog comes at my feet

and insists i remember.

Posted in The Now | Tagged animal assisted play therapy, dog, eco-chaplaincy, eco-ministry, eco-mysticism, eco-spirituality, faith, hope, ink brush painting, ink painting, interspecies spirituality, interspirituality, joy, little dog, love, nature, painting, play, play therapy, poetry, recovery, short poem, spirituality, sumi-e, toy dog | Leave a comment

weighing in

Posted on November 16, 2016 by eteal

the smallest of birds flitted thru the tree

captivating the cat

the dog

and

me.

and then she

landed on a leaf!

how is it possible to be so light?

ah, a lesson in tenderness.

Posted in The Now | Tagged angels can fly, bird, birds, cats, dog, eco-chaplaincy, eco-ministry, eco-mysticism, eco-spirituality, leaf, little bird, meditation, mystic poetry, nature, observations, poetry, small bird, spirituality, sumi-e, take themselves lightly, tao, tiny bird, tree | Leave a comment

waffling

Posted on November 15, 2016 by eteal

my mother loved waffles.

my mother loved my dog.

my mother is gone.

and so are the waffles.

the dog is still here.

(and i can make more waffles, and i can still miss my mother.

and i could train the dog not to steal when i leave the room….

but i probably won’t….

whose to say they were my waffles anyway?

it’s ok.)

Posted in The Now | Tagged animal assisted chaplaincy, breakfast for diner, dog training, dogs stealing food, funny poems, grief, love, mother loss, odd poems, poetry, poodles, spirituality, sumi-e, waffles | Leave a comment

FOCUS

Posted on November 14, 2016 by eteal

looking down

i see you

still,

focused,

silent.

and

yet

i know,

you are ready

to spring into action

when the opportunity presents itself.

i too, must not loose focus –

i too must be ready.

i too

you

must practice.

Posted in The Now | Tagged animal assisted chaplaincy, black cats, cats, eco-chaplaincy, eco-ministry, eco-mysticism, eco-spirituality, ink brush painting, interspecies spirituality, interspirituality, love, meditation, mystic s, mysticism, nature, opportunities, poetry, practice, predatory behavior, prepared, ready, sacred activism, spirituality, sumi-e | Leave a comment

lost

Posted on November 13, 2016 by eteal

across the field i see her

calling her dog

searching the horizon

a slight tinge of panic creeping into her voice…

and

across the field i see

her dog.

standing still.

behind her.

as she calls his name again.

she starts to walk,

He follows…

i watch as they go out of sight.

Posted in The Now | Tagged belonging, blessings, come, comig when called, dog training, eco-chaplaincy, eco-ministry, eco-mysticism, eco-spirituality, fear, fields, here, ink brush painting, interspecies spirituality, longing, love, metaphor, mysticism, nature, observations, poetry, spirituality, stories, sumi-e | Leave a comment

comfort

Posted on November 13, 2016 by eteal

Oh big brown eyes,

thank you for deep soulful looks,

thank you for soft nuzzles and warm fur,

thank you for seeing me.

may i always remember to see YOU as honestly as You see Me.

may i always remember to see Others as You see me.

Posted in God's dog | Tagged animal assisted chaplaincy, brown eyes, comfort, dog, dog training, dogs, eco-chaplaincy, eco-ministry, eco-mysticism, eco-spirituality, golden rule, i see you, ink brush painting, interspecies spirituality, interspirituality, love one another, mixed breed, pet therapy, poetry, solace, soul, spirituality, sumi-e, terrier mix, therapy dog | Leave a comment

roost

Posted on November 11, 2016 by eteal

i did not see You anywhere –

compassion seems to have fled

given way to corruption instead…

i sit outside to meditate

as i mediate the emotions of my head..

look up , says the voice within –

and there above, hidden in the ancient long leaf pine –

are the white feathers and long beaks of wisdom, goodness and the holy…

I crane my neck to see…

You.

Posted in The Now | Tagged birds, birdwatching, cranes, depression, eco-chaplaincy, eco-ministry, eco-mysticism, eco-spirituality, florida, hope, ink brush painting, interspecies spirituality, interspirituality, long leaf pines, love, meditation, mysticism, nature, pace, painting, pine needles, poetry, spirituality, sumi-e, white feathers | Leave a comment