Sixteenth Meditation

(Ascent of Mount Carmel, book II: chapter 12-15)

"Be still before the LORD; wait for God." (34)


Clearing The Debris

At first, discursive imaging
Helps her to focus on the Word;
Like soil primed for a soaking,
Her mind absorbs what it has heard.

In time, the soil saturates;
The rain can't soak in as it did:
It puddles and accumulates,
Forming a lake clear and placid.

In cool waters, still and clear,
The light of heaven enters deep;
Her soul is stilled as God draws near,
And her senses succomb to sleep.

With soul all stilled and heart set free,
Her images become debris.

34. Psalm 37:7






(c) Paul Buis, 2003