Good Friday did not always enjoy the reflection it deserved in my early awareness. In my youth, there was the distraction of Easter camps and sundry other diversions. Lenten preparatory practices were not part of our tradition. In ministry, of course, the responsibility for Easter services had me looking across the broader Christian tradition forContinue reading “Easter Memoirs: Good Friday”
Author Archives: wonderingpilgrim
Easter Memoirs: Maundy Thursday
Having run up a few decades, most of them in pastoral ministry, I have a few Easters to look back on. I have experienced many repetitions of this high season of the Christian story, beginning with participation in my own Restorationist tradition which, in my childhood and youth, did not highlight the seasons to theContinue reading “Easter Memoirs: Maundy Thursday”
Deep Heat Teeth
Deep Heat is a linamentFor muscles sore and tenderWhen applied to limbs quite liberallyThe relief has no contender. To mistake it once for toothpasteIs an error without equalHaving spread it on my toothbrush now– well, I’ll just spare y’all the sequel! (c) Dennis Ryle, April 2023
An Ode to a Vegemite Sandwich
I love a Vegemite sandwich!It’s always set to pleasewhen spread on multigrain breadand a nice big slab of cheese. The red and yellow labelBeckons from the pantry shelf.It stands out from all other thingsAnd whispers “Come, help yourself!” Twisting off the yellow lidI gaze into the deep black sea;A subtle whiff of dark delightEvokes shiversContinue reading “An Ode to a Vegemite Sandwich”
A Welcome Spurned
There has been an awkward interlude to the current Obama visit. Tour organisers are in damage control following their prevention of a scheduled and traditional “Welcome to Country” by an indigenous elder. Apologies and repairs are underway and the welcome is now happening at a subsequent event. This is the day the Prime Minister isContinue reading “A Welcome Spurned”
Duty of Care – a Lament
Well, what a week it’s turned out to beRobodebt, cardinals, a long highway searchLoading lots of disquiet on our TVLooks like duty of care’s fallen off the perch. Old institutions seem to be crumbling downTheir trustworthiness once worth more than goldThere used to be a value held all over townA duty of care that couldContinue reading “Duty of Care – a Lament”
Sunset at Burns Beach
Bloganuary does have a final question as it slowly sinks in the West: “Where is the best place to watch the sunset near you?” Free to share and use courtesy of starlight-aurora.deviantart.com A picture is worth a thousand words. Perth nestles on the west-facing coastline that defines the border of Western Australia and the Indian Ocean.Continue reading “Sunset at Burns Beach”
Constellations
With eerie premonition, Bloganuary’s final question is “What would you title the chapters of your autobiography?” With Bloganuary’s first question about what I was hoping to achieve this year, I answered vaguely and ambiguously about improving my writing across several genres. Behind this, I have been wondering how to respond to a request to write myContinue reading “Constellations”
Stories
Bloganuary probes and asks, “What is something you learned recently?” To speak of what I learned todayI’m not at liberty to discloseFor such occurs in many a wayIt comes with the territory, I s’pose. For I’m a hearer of storiesWhispered from places deep‘Tis a privilege to receive themand in safety and silence keep. Many a dayContinue reading “Stories”
A curmudgeon and his cake
Bloganuary demands, “Describe your perfect birthday cake.” Another trip around the sun?Another year’s journey just begun?Another cake to mark the occasion?– I find it hard to raise the passion! Clown face cakes with lots of icingAdventure themes destroyed when slicingThese were part of long ago youthTo think of such now seems uncouth. A perfect cake nowContinue reading “A curmudgeon and his cake”
Wondering Pilgrim 