1. The Light of Mercy
nearly smothered in a young girl’s soul.
Mashing fists into eyes vainly
to erase the memory of her sin.
God is Love, the priest reminds her.
A ray of Light cuts through her soul;
A Prodigal Daughter
cries in a darkened box.
2. Ah! the fragility
of newly-awakened faith
nearly shatters before a feeling
of hypocrisy.
Who is this Virgin Mother?
Unsatisfactory, ludicrous answers?
The High Church calls.
Distance in confusion.
3. An earthly Father
dressed all in black
Dead to himself
Takes the drifting soul.
Firmly he directs
Wayward Reason and Faith.
“Pray for understanding of His Mother.”
She prays.
4. Prayers heard.
An October homily spurs
a revolutionary change in life.
The Rosary.
Our Lady comes personally
to introduce the girl
to her Son for renewal.
The world shatters into peace.
5. Whispers through the words
printed in the Book.
Sweet somethings, of such substance
Only the Word can speak them.
He shows the girl her life
In light of this new blindness
to all but Him.
Her journey granted meaning.
Love.
What do you think? Are any of the passages too ambiguous?
+ Lily
Not ambiguous at all! It was a very profound soul journey beautifully expressed. Bravo!
Lily,
We haven’t met, but several spheres of our lives overlap. I’m a friend of James and Kevin (which is how I came across your blog), was a lector at the Basilica under Fr. Fisher (as well as it’s official photographer), and graduated the college you presently attend just one year ago.
Your blog is excellent. It’s highly necessary for young adults, male and female, to be vocal about their faith. One benefit of a blog such as yours is that it allows other young, devout Catholics to know they’re not alone at this critical point in their lives. It’s easy to give up or feel helpless in a world that’s so oppressively secular, but people like you are selflessly fighting the good fight. It is nice to hear the spiritual thoughts of someone similar to myself for a change.
Your free verse piece is very honest and powerful. I too began a more serious and inspired faith journey in October 2006, also jump-started by confession. What are the odds?!
The link below leads to a picture I took a while back of my parish’s statue of St. Joseph. I thought you might like to have it, as it certainly fits your blog’s theme.
Best of luck with your new blog! I’ll be tuning in often to see what you have to say.
God bless,
Ron (middle name: Joseph)
That’s a beautiful picture, Ron! Do you mind if I post it? The colors are really stunning, too…I can see why you were the Shrine’s photographer. 🙂
Thank you very much for the encouraging words; I really do appreciate it. Odd as it may seem, it was difficult for me to move forward with this blog and “take a chance” by being frank about my faith. (Hence the penname.)
You should drop me a line at the email address on the “Meet the Authors” page: I am always happy to meet a fellow Shrine Lurker!