the ramblings of a perambulent and often distracted sojourner
Take a pick from your four favourite Hebrew prophets, the four gospels, or (perhaps topically) the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse. Or why not all together? They tell a whole story – premonition, action and completion. A haiku followed by an American Sentence.
Fourth Day of Christmas
Earth, fire, air and water dance
Logos appears now!
Past, present and things to come conspire to sing the eternal moment!
In the song, “Twelve Days of Christmas”, on this day, the true love sends three French hens.
Some traditions say that this day symbolizes faith, hope and charity, or the Holy Trinity, or the three gifts of the Magi. It is also the Feast of St Stephen, the first Christian martyr. Today, as we languish in Perth’s third day of our Christmas heatwave, we reflect on the passing of Archbishop Desmond Tutu, a spiritual giant of South Africa. Today thus calls for both a haiku and an American Sentence!
Third day of Christmas
hens peck their way to glory
laying eggs of gold.
In blissful mirth and common sense, the Arch dances through the golden gates.
Temperature wise, Boxing Day eclipses yesterday by hitting the mercury at 44 Celsius (111.2 Fahrenheit). With Perth dipping into long avoided COVID restrictions (masks in internal public gatherings) and Christmas Day fatigue, we are skipping church services today. Great opportunity, however, to reflect more deeply on this season that we have entered and how one incarnates the Divine that has come amongst us.
Day Two of Christmas
Leftovers divided wide
Joy shares radiance.
In seeking to revive some wordsmith skills, I intend to irritate my readers with some 5/7/5 syllable poetic reflections after the Japanese haiku style. I have already learned of a school of thought that asserts that English iterations of this style tend to do little justice to the beauty of classic Japanese literary rhythms. Instead, it is suggested that fans employ the 17 syllable “American Sentence.” I’ve marked this for further exploration, but am happy for the moment to keep trying the traditional three liner. It appeals to me for its invitation to
So let’s start a “Twelve Days of Christmas” series. Yesterday we did Christmas Aussie style – 43 Celsius (109 Fahrenheit) heat, air con blowing, too much turkey and ham, lots of salads, a swimming pool and a guest celebrating a first ever Christmas since leaving a 40 year membership with Jehovah’s Witnesses. Now to sum it up in a haiku!
First day of Christmas
Sun, fun, family and guests
Bright radiance birthed!
And so in this corner of the world, 21st December, Gravy Day, draws to a close. It deserves its own haiku.
Gravy Day unites
Far flung rellies for Christmas
Sing mixed woe and joy .
For you I sorrow
I may even rise and move
and we transform us!
Cleaning up, I just found this laminated prayer that was fixed to the dashboard of our white Falcon on a road trip across the Nullarbor. I have just remarked to some friends that launching into 2022, because of personal and global circumstances, seems to be calling us to adopt the Celtic monk perspective of launching the coracle of our selves into indeterminate currents and trusting the wind of God to blow us where she will.
This will mean the difference between suffering as victims to forces beyond our control, the so called soul-sucking powers and principalities, or remaining awake, alert and attentive to possibilities and opportunities that reflect the deeper core of our being.
The white Falcon station wagon is long gone. The prayer still fits the blood and bone vessels that carry us!
First is last; last first
Trickle down turns trickle up
Mary sings Christ in!
ASIC hears victim woes
but will do nought with such pain –
Filed in secret box
This is a reflection of yesterday’s meetings called by the Chair of the Australian Securities and Investment Commission (ASIC), our peak financial regulatory body, to hear first hand stories of the victims of the 30 month old Sterling First retirement housing collapse. It was made clear that resolution of regulatory failure was not in ASIC’s hands!
The meeting ended with a victims’ walkout.
“Traditional haiku usually focuses on two very simple subjects while providing an interesting or unexpected perspective. Like a good joke, the first part can serve as the set-up, while the second part delivers the punchline.”
The feeling one has when struggle leads to a zenith that opens up three possible pathways – each fraught with cost and risk. Exploring the pros and cons of each that are contingent on their own imminent events. Gearing up ready to act on the opportunity that may suddenly present itself.
All in the days before Christmas.
That’s restless anticipation – but so is Advent!
