The Garden of St. Joseph

The nuns have left the school
Their convent is now the headmaster's office
Without them I suppose
The garden wasn't needed
That paving it seemed efficient.
It is troubling though,
More than the statue's removal
Or loss of thriving birds and flowers,
The absence of holiness

In the evening light
Stone benches warmed by afternoon sun
No longer invite reflection
Sounds of devotions and song
Never drift to the circle of the garden.
As children, we rested securely
Within the ring of myrtles
Emptying our collection of dolls
Delighted to trade outfits and create adventures__

Stretch upon the blades of grass
Cushioned rich and thick beneath you
Listen for wind in neighboring oaks
Birds calling through the scent of honeysuckle
Shade eyes and observe St. Joseph
In white paper blossoms, enfolded
Consider his strength of family,
Faithful trust that kept them safe

Where is holiness among asphalt?
In bright signs on city blocks exclaiming:
"Give Me Jesus"?
In Gospel CDs on TV advertising:
"Limited Time Only"?
Do we believe God exists
That he moves among us?

A garden is no different than any other ground
Plants no different than their sisters
But hearts can declare more__
As children it made perfect sense
To play dolls right there
Where God was

by J. Elliott Jackson - originally published in the chapbook, WALK INTO A MOMENT

Riding the Train with Stevie Wonder

Last evening I rode a train into the heart of a city with men and women of many races and life experiences. We carried memories of music that had touched moments in our lives in such a way to make us set out on a journey to share a few hours with the artist, Stevie Wonder.

Our heritage is rich - full of pain and misunderstanding but at the same time full of hope, an unabashed belief in love, goodness and the sanctity of life. We may have gathered in a sports arena, but throughout the evening music was our single voice to express together disappointment, gratitude, loss, joy and a purpose to strive for light and peace.

I share these words by Curtis Mayfield and Stevie Wonder's performance. They rode the train within us, back out of the city and into our individual lives.

"People get ready, there's a train a-comin' . . .
Don't need no baggage, you just get on board . . .
There ain't no room for the hopeless sinner,
Who would hurt all mankind just to save his own . . .
So people get ready, there's a train a-comin' . . .
Don't need no ticket, you just thank the Lord"