Longing for the hills

broken by the flap of the birds
ochre from summer heat
maybe a small stream-
three lines through the trees
a lake of quiet
over the round water's edge

Song for help from the LORD

LORD you have seen me search for truth
for the years of my life
I have always embraced Your words
as the guide to how I want to live
I love the laws you have inscribed on the hearts
of all humanity

The perfect order and harmony of nature reflects
that divine beauty and plan
The light of day as it chases the darkness
like truth shines in the midst of a lie
and brings peace and tranquility
The dark of night as it covers over my faults
and the ugliness of the world and human error
and settles peace over the oceans and the hills.

LORD you know my love for you
but it has not been enough
Not preserved me from falling into mistakes
Not saved me from disgrace
Is it not enough that I have sought you out in the midst of people who ignore you
or ignore your words or lie and steal and plan to destroy other people
Please look on my love for your law and my desire to love the people around me
look at what I have done well and forgive what mistakes I have made

I am the grief of my family
My life pains my parents
My mouth always speaks louder than I plan to speak
in frustration I am yelling for help

Please come into my life and be merciful with me.
Please bless me with your Salvation and your Grace
Forgive me my sins and create a good and righteous record
for me and for those who love me.

Rizq at 38

Rizq at 38

long years behind me
my youth
years of trouble and ease

now the future rolls towards me
my age
all the sadness and grief

but like a signpost before me
the Quran
tells me to release

all the regrets that prevent me
from finding
the gratitude that would lead to peace

what is water but God's mercy
what is warmth but God's love
what is the food that sustains me
But a blessing from above
what is my life but  a moment
in a vast universe
that won't remember
the curses
that worry me now
like knots on my mind
there is a whole world I give thanks for-
endless abundance Divine.