(Stop #2 on Ash Wednesday)
The beginning of Lent always makes me want to turn inward a bit, but this year that inward focus feels harder. The rapid fire news cycle keeps me in a bit of a tizzy. I’ve found way too many good substacks and newsletters to keep up. However, I sometimes need to step away from the news to preserve my sanity.
This time of year is when my clergy colleagues have a lot on their minds. Some have had interviews for ordination or commissioning. Some are in class, working toward the end of the spring semester. All are trying to help themselves and their congregations approach Lent and Easter with both a freshness and a healthy remembrance of tradition. Some are considering or being considered for a change in appointment. Add to that, this year, many find themselves in the crosshairs of their “purple” congregations, where much division in opinion can be found from pew to pew.
I’ve signed up to go next month for the Peace Conference at Lake Junaluska, sponsored by our conference. I’m hoping I might find inspiration to bring back to the people I serve, and to the broader community, about dealing with conflict and division. I very much want to be a source for peace-building in a world that seems intent on anything but that.
I’ve also taken up the habit, rather renewed the habit, of writing a poem a day. I’ve published some on Facebook or substack, and they seem to be helping people, but honestly, I write them for myself.
Writing has always been a way I work through things. Poetry has re-bloomed in this season of my life. I find the seeking and arranging words to help me organize my thoughts.
I’m also embarking this week on The Artist’s Way, and beginning group meetings next week (if you are reading this and live near enough to me and want to join us, just email or text me). I am hoping that this practice will sustain me through the season of Lent, and the season of discontent we find ourselves living in, here in the United States. It’s funny how often when I type United States, I accidentally type “Untied States.” My typo seems fraught with meaning about now.
In a poetry writing facebook group, one of the 400 plus members wrote a “poem” which she labeled “Topics for a Poem Today.” I took the challenge and incorporated all her words in a poem. As I remind you, and myself, too, to be sure and practice self-care if and when the world seems to be harshing your peace, I’ll end with that poem. At least in this accidental poem, there is hope at the end. I pray you find hope as well.
Topical Suggestion: Challenge Accepted* My grief rages loudly today And sorrow fuels my anger. Butterflies, birds, and kittens Temporarily kidnap the hate fueled by Cruelty and rage. What breaks in a human soul, What screams of hate, What is this destroyer of My peace? The cruelty causes something In me to die, Washing away on indigo waves, No longer interested in empty fun. The sorrow of this war, This coup, This dumpster fire Climbs into my bones, Crashing the courage Needed for this moment. I need a vaccine strong enough To carry me past measles, Past death, Past the thrashing Heartbeat, desperate For hope. I crawl out of the shell Of my newly hatched egg, Only to find I have been Born by the weight of The still warm carrion That was my mother. Being born anew Is the only way to cope. Amy Vaughan March 6, 2025 * Inspired by Brenda Laurel’s “Topics for a Poem Today” And a challenge from Holly Jahangiri.
