Intro: Jeanne Kun is a prolific writer. She has authored many books and articles for The Word Among Us on various Christian themes. She has also penned a number of poems, some published and many non-published as well. The following poems capture the inner spiritual journey of single-hearted devotion to the Lord. They flow from a life dedicated to daily prayer, meditation, and contemplation, and a life of generous service in giving teaching, retreats, and pastoral care and counsel to many women and communities throughout the Sword of the Spirit. – ed.
Gathering Love’s Fruit
Come visit me, O God.
Walk through the garden of my soul
as once you walked
in the cool of Eden’s evening
before its gates were closed by Adam’s sin.
Your mercy’s paid the debt of his transgression
(and all mine too)
and a new Paradise lies open now.
Use discipline’s sharp-honed spade
to work the soil ’round my roots
and with gardener’s hand
(strong with life’s green vitality)
prune my barren branches,
coaxing sap to rise
and fragrant buds to blossom there.
Come visit me again, O God.
Walk through the garden of my soul
on this fresh evening
now pregnant with eternity
and pick love’s fruit
ripened by the sunlight of your gaze:
sweet apples gathered for our wedding banquet.
A Collection of English Haiku
Haiku is a centuries-old traditional form of Japanese poetry consisting of seventeen syllables, structured in three lines of five, seven, and five respectively. It captures what is happening in a moment of time – often juxtaposing one element or image with another, usually drawing upon nature and the seasons of the year as its subject matter.
I was first introduced to haiku in my high school days. In these later years of my life I have enjoyed attempting to capture and preserve in this form of poetry moments that have moved and inspired me. My lines of haiku have been composed at various places that I have visited – often while on retreats. These here express aspects of my relationship with the Lord and moments touching the borders of eternity.
At the Abbey of Gethsemani, Kentucky
After Compline in the darkened church
The vigil light burns.
My heart’s a tabernacle
afire with your love.
Come meet me here, Lord,
alone in the abbey church—
night’s richest moments.
Listen! God’s heart beats,
Love’s symphony played for us
there upon the cross.
Iridescent light
shines from the transfigured Christ.
My soul wakes from sleep.
Draw me after you!
I run with love’s so sure stride
as I race to you.
You banish dullness
and with your vitality
you refresh my soul.
My soul feeds on you,
all my hunger satisfied
by love’s nourishment.
God’s heart beats for me
a symphony played in pain,
passion filled with love.
I find rest in you,
your love’s music in my heart
a sweet lullaby.
Clumsy though I be,
my heart dances so nimbly
in step with your love.
Wake new songs in me
in a harmony of love—
my heart sings with yours!
Silence surrounds me.
Keeping company with you
is my heart’s sweet joy.
Candleglow wavers.
As silence probes my faint heart
you light my darkness.
O Creator God,
breathe your poetry in me
with truth and beauty.
The candle flickers.
My ardor wanes and waxes.
Your love burns brightly.
I could sit all night
in your tabernacle’s light.
Your presence fills me.
Kneeling still in you
with silence wrapped around me,
I taste your quiet.
Poems from Gladly Given to God, by Jeanne Kun © 2021.
Top image credit: Praying hands on open bible and candle, from Bigstock.com, © by Ale-ks, stock photo ID: 7079929. Used with permission.
Jeanne Kun is a noted author, and a member of Bethany Association, an international, ecumenical association of women living single for the Lord in various communities of The Sword of the Spirit, and a senior woman leader in the Word of Life Community, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA.
Your poetry is beautiful Jeanne!