“In Thanksgiving” and “Listening”

By Sister Michon Romajzl

In Thanksgiving

For rainbow’s arc
     and windmill’s turn,
For children’s sounds
     and wafting fern–

For dolphin’s leap
      and water’s fall,
For rain’s soft splash
      and tide’s recall—
           We Give Thanks.

For things that grow
      and things that die,
For earth’s rich silt
      and haystack’s high—

For kindled hearts
      and Mercy’s flame,
For friendship’s warmth
      when called by name—
           We Give Thanks.

Listening

Like the deer,
      silent
      on the edge of the wood.
Listening, listening,
      as if her very life
      depended on it.

So do I listen,
      listen to you
      my God.
Knowing
      that my very life
      does depend on it.