Ministry of Animals

crumbs

Posted on December 25, 2014 by eteal

i return to the darkened studio by myself

and yet,

i am not alone…

Startled!

does eating cookies count as stirring?

what about the crumbs?

(Silly – You are never alone,

neither am I.)

Posted in The Now | Tagged art, cookies, eating cookies, eco-chaplaincy, eco-ministry, eco-spirituality, ink brush painting, mice, mouse, pet mice, pocket pets, rodents, spirituality, stirring, sumi-e, twas the night before Christmas, wild mice | 1 Comment

waiting and cool weather

Posted on December 24, 2014 by eteal

(everywhere i went today, there were dogs in cars.

in cars and trucks in traffic –

dogs behind windows in parking lots)

i want to come with you –

i want to be with you –

where are you going?

the season has changed and the weather is cooler —

i can come right?

i can be with you, right?

is this it — i have to wait in the car?

hey- what are you doing?

OH!

(everywhere i go there are things to learn -even while waiting for You)

Posted in The Now | Tagged adopted dog, art, dog, dogs, dogs in cars, holiday shopping, ink brush painting, interspecies spirituality, labrador retriever, mixed breed dogs, mysticism, spirituality, sumi-e, terrier mix | Leave a comment

Soaked

Posted on December 23, 2014 by eteal

they say that after one door closes

another door opens

why do i keep getting caught in middle?

oh wait – there You are!

with a towel!

a miracle!

Posted in The Now | Tagged animals, cat, cat in rain, caught in the middle, eco-chaplaincy, eco-ministry, eco-mysticism, eco-spirituality, interspecies spirituality, miracles, nature, poetry, rain, rainy days, spirituality, sumi-e, wet cat | Leave a comment

running in the rain

Posted on December 22, 2014 by eteal

the day is short

the rain is long

come and run

under the tree with me.

the day may be gray

but the light is getting brighter!

we can shelter each other while we weather the storm.

Posted in The Now | Tagged beloved community, eco-chaplaincy, equine facilitated chaplaincy, equine facilitated spiritual direction, hippotherapy, horse in the rain, horses, love, nature, poetry, rainy day, shelter, solstice, sumi-e, winter solstice | 1 Comment

Lions, lambs and long nights

Posted on December 21, 2014 by eteal

i don’t know anything about lying down with a lion,

even though you call me the lamb of dog —

but i do sleep with a tiger –

at least its a start.

sweet solstice dreams,

it’s a long night!

or a long day –

depending on where you are laying your head –

either way the world in spinning –

may it spin toward peace.

Posted in The Now | Tagged peace, peace on earth, poetry, poodles, spirituality, standard poodles, stuffed tigers, sumi-i, summer solstice, tigers, winter solstice, Yule | 2 Comments

Hearts

Posted on December 20, 2014 by eteal

heart to heart

they met

for a moment

that neither of them ever forgot.

saviors of each others hearts

forever.

Posted in Dao Dogs | Tagged animal assisted chaplaincy, animal assisted crisis response, animal assisted therapy, animal assisted trauma support, Cavalier King Charles, dog, emotional support dogs, foster dogs, interspecies spirituality, love, pet therapy, poetry, spirituality, sumi-e | 1 Comment

The Cupboard is Bare

Posted on December 18, 2014 by eteal

so they talk about nakedness –

what about bare necessities?

i am all dressed up and ready to go!

enough with the blessings in disguise –

i am ready for some bare naked blessings!!!

Posted in The Now | Tagged animal assisted chaplaincy, animal assisted therapy, blessings, blessings in disguise, bones, old mother hubbard, poverty, spirituality, therapy dogs | Leave a comment

Wisdom & Projections

Posted on December 18, 2014 by eteal

You think me wise –

yet that is only You looking in the mirror –

Why are you such a fool?

Posted in Tao Cats | Tagged animal assisted chaplaincy, anthropomorphism, cats, felines, old cats, spirituality, sumi-i, tao, wisdom | Leave a comment

missed you

Posted on December 16, 2014 by eteal

Here you are!!!

it’s been soo long!

now,

i will follow you in,

or out,

or in,

or out.

wherever you are…

I will be too.

Posted in The Now | Tagged absence makes the heart grow fonder, adopted dog, chow mix, eco-chaplaincy, ink brush meditation, keeshound, love, mysticism, poetry, sumi-e | 1 Comment

Stop making the bed: wake-up!

Posted on December 15, 2014 by eteal

get out of bed,

strip bed

wash sheets

make bed…..

make bed?

somedays it seems i never get out of bed….

somedays it seems i can’t even make the bed..

somedays it seems like all i do is make the bed.

and yet

You are always there.

Posted in The Now | Tagged adopted cat, art, black cat, cats, housework, interspecies spirituality, life, making the bed with a cat, med clothes, mysticism, poetry with pictures, spirituality, sumi-e | Leave a comment

Ministry of Animals