When words become too small
writers slide into metaphor.
Call it poetry if
you must, a word
only two syllables larger than Everything.
God is such a
small word
(says he who carries The Message).
How long will we need to hold onto it
when listening is the key to open that Door?
And, anyway, the way
only seems locked.
Knock illusion
over gently without a key, it will
shatter easily and open to all.
The door is too flimsy
to keep us out or in. Its line
has no dimension and no end, it flows
into scripted words, each a Door, each Metaphor.
Inspired by Krista Tippett's interview with
EUGENE PETERSON
On Being, 22 December 2016
"You’re not trying to figure things out;
you’re trying to enter into what’s there."
Peterson's books include Answering God: The Psalms as Tools for Prayer, The Pastor: A Memoir, and The Message: The Bible in Contemporary Language.
My blog poems are rough drafts.
Please respect my copyright.
© 2017 Susan L. Chast
"Each door, a metaphor." Cool.
ReplyDeleteLIKE
ReplyDeleteI like the idea that we don't need a key or a door. The truth of God is already open. Sorry I missed this interview. It inspired such a good poem.
ReplyDeleteWhen we are ready, there is the "door". The rest is up to us.
ReplyDeleteWell done
Sadly a door nowadays is one to bar entry rather than an entrance where all are welcome and choice is yours to step in or to stay out.
ReplyDeletethe door is waiting, we have been given the key to unlock a new world of hope...
ReplyDelete"each a Door, each Metaphor."...ah...one needs to have that power of inner vision to realize this...each word, deep faith...
ReplyDelete"..Knock illusion
ReplyDeleteover gently without a key, it will
shatter easily and open to all."
"each Door, each metaphor."
Brillaint! You wrote some of the most most profound words, Susan. You won’t believe it how much wisdom and power there is in these lines. It’s incredible. Thank you!!
Of course the message is bigger but your poem made me think of the behaviour of crowds..if we see a few people outside a shop and no one makes a move we can assume the door is locked..wait there not knowing with them..or we can step forward and try the handle..and then..who knows what waits inside
ReplyDeleteThings are not always what they seem, are they? Take that Door, for instance. Some say the Door is Jesus. Some say the door is an illusion. Who's right? Who's wrong? Who really knows?
ReplyDeleteWhistles!!!❤️This is absolutely stupendous, Susan❤️soo much to love here especially "How long will we need to hold onto it when listening is the key to open that Door?" sigh.. my all time new favourite from you!❤️
ReplyDeleteLots of love,
Sanaa
My life truly changed when I stepped through that door. :-)
ReplyDeleteA fascinating take on the prompt, and thought-provoking.
ReplyDeletePerhaps the doors that are wide open are the ones most difficult to go through...
ReplyDeleteWell-penned, Susan.