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Knowing Doesn’t Always Translate
You know you’re safe, right? It’s just the fear, Just the fear telling you what to do: A recoiling from the appearance of danger, Forgetting the reality of harnesses and ropes. So I tell myself I’m not afraid; I tell everyone else as well. I pretend to be daring and courageous– Exercising my cunning skills Continue reading
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That Thing Which Keeps Me In
Hope, so they say, Is a thing with feathers Which springs eternal: The sustenance of faith. For me, what is left: Defaulting to hope As a seasonal activity Intermingled with rainy clouds And bursts of sunshine, Here again, back again. Tattered and frayed, This year finds me A little worse for wear. Yet still I Continue reading
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In Reference to the Pothole on 1st Street
I drive over the same pothole in the road Every time I come home. Today I notice it Like it’s something special. I suppose it could be a metaphor If that’s what I really wanted. The way it appeared in the wake of a snowplow Over a year ago And is always patched yet always Continue reading
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Pieces and Promises
I’m terrible with resolutions. I’m always making commitments to go running more often, and then I don’t go running all winter, because it’s too cold, it gets dark too early, there are other things to do. I enjoy running, but only when it’s convenient and I happen to be in the mood for it, which Continue reading
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Ash Wednesday
Remember, O Man, that you are dust Windblown and dirty Dark and downtrodden. You’ve forgotten And will continue to forget, That of the dust you are, And to it you shall return. So remember your death, And watch through your mourning For the redemption of your despair. Look ahead to resurrection; Await and expect the Continue reading
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Candlestick
Anna Banana grew up when I wasn’t looking. You’re still eight years old in my mind, And I make you work so hard To convince me otherwise. You survived our battles over bedroom clutter; I never guessed you’d become the tidy artist, And me the messy teacher Who leaves her clothes everywhere when she visits. You’re all grown, But Continue reading
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You Could Call this Cheating
I’m unsure this is what you wanted But you see I can’t write Except to pray for something Beyond my words, And how can I shape my present cloudiness of desire Into something legible and true and truly me, If it’s still a blur Because that’s soft and comfortable. What little I can say for Continue reading
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A new year’s eve
Today Let us wisely pack away Tattered promises Along with the old clothes And unrealistic expectations. Let us gladly embrace Our clumsy communities And the stains On the new tablecloth. Let us easily welcome A smidgen of chaos — Disruptions of schedules And unplanned smiles. Today, let us highly resolve To notice grace Tucked deep Continue reading
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Christmas Lights
Unto you this day is born a Savior. Born into a dark, silent night, The Light Of The World Rests not in heavens above, But in our gloom and in our dirt. Transfixed by my own darkness, I turn away from the glare — Turn away my heart and all my spare rooms. I leave him in the cold and Continue reading
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Rest Ye Merry
I made a wedding cake last week, and I was grumpy the whole time. I was grumpy with it for taking up all my evenings in the first week of a very short December. Normally I love baking, and I love that I’ve been involved in creating so many wedding cakes. But I wanted to be Continue reading
About Me
I’m Stephanie – a perpetual student and aspiring hobbit. I love language, literature, and theology. I’m happiest when surrounded with good food, good company, and things that grow.
Beautiful Dust 