Category Archives: Poetry

Christ Has Risen Indeed

Posted on March 26, 2016 by Esther Hizsa

“The Incredulity of St. Thomas” by Caravaggio, 1601-2 The Incredulity of Thomas Incredulity. Words are wasted on his impenetrable mind: “Unless I see, unless I touch.” Incredulity guards the heart seals the tomb from disappointment. “Thomas!” Voice charged, words spark. “See. … Continue reading →

Posted in Easter, Holy Week, Poetry | Tagged Caravaggio, Christ Has Risen, doubt, Easter, Easter poem, faith in Christ, incredulity, John 20:24-29, resurrection, spiritual director, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, The Incredulity of St. Thomas, Thomas | Leave a comment

Holy Saturday

Posted on March 25, 2016 by Esther Hizsa

Homeless they take him down from the cross his PUTcold body pierced PUTbruised mouth silenced PUTsoft eyes blind as he began now at end PUTwrapped in cloth strips PUTlaid in wrong place helpless God stone heaved tomb sealed sudden scream PUTmine guards curse push me PUT“Go home!” can’t have … Continue reading →

Posted in Easter, Holy Week, Lent, Poetry, Popular Posts | Tagged Caravaggio, Christ has died, Easter Saturday, Entombment of Christ, Holy Saturday, homeless, spiritual director, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver | Leave a comment

Ash Wednesday

Posted on February 9, 2016 by Esther Hizsa

Pilgrimage Ash Wednesday He’s on the road PUT waiting for me today we begin a forty day walk to Jerusalem I lace up my shoes and follow PUT from a safe distance but it’s bound to happen His eyes will catch mine … Continue reading →

Posted in Lent, Poetry, Stories of an Everyday Pilgrim | Tagged Ash Wednesday, Brian Whelan, Lenten Poem, Lenten Reflection, Luke 9:51, pilgrimage, Pilgrimage of Sight, Stories of an Everyday Pilgrim, The Way | 2 Comments

Christmas: As Is

Posted on December 25, 2015 by Esther Hizsa

I wonder if Joseph was peeved when Mary, between contractions, ordered him to close the door then, as soon as he did, wanted it open again. I wonder if, in that chorus of angels, one or two sang flat and if some shepherds –feeling … Continue reading →

Posted in Christmas, Humour, Poetry, Popular Posts | Tagged Christmas poem, Esther Hizsa, Franz Mayer, Joe Buckingham, Plum leaves, spiritual director, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, The Nativity | Leave a comment

This Annunciation

Posted on December 4, 2015 by Esther Hizsa

This Annunciation I was the angel chosen to greet the one with God in her womb. Light illuminated her face her hands her words light warm with wonder hushed held my soul yet no Fra Angelico will ever paint this annunciation … Continue reading →

Posted in Advent, Mystical, Poetry | Tagged Advent, Annunciation, Esther Hizsa, Fra Angelico, Luke 1:26-38, spiritual direction, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver | 3 Comments

God Desires Us

Posted on November 27, 2015 by Esther Hizsa

“You can’t catch the Macdonald bus here,” a man says to me at the VCC-Clark Skytrain Station in Vancouver. “You need to go up to Clark.” I hurry up Sixth Avenue. It’s early Saturday morning and I need to get to … Continue reading →

Posted in Advent, Mystical, Poetry, Popular Posts, Stories | Tagged #22 Macdonald, Advent, Creation of Adam, Daniel Ladinsky, Esther Hizsa, He Desired Me Sio I Came Close, Love Poems from God, Sistine Chapel, spiritual direction, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, Teresa of Avila | 3 Comments

Weighted Blessing

Posted on October 16, 2015 by Esther Hizsa

The Mountain Ash tree in my parents’ backyard was heavily laden with berries. There must have been two hundred clusters of them. “Won’t they make a big mess when they fall off?” I asked my eighty-seven-year-old father. Dad reassured me that … Continue reading →

Posted in Poetry, Poverty of Spirit, Stories | Tagged Amanda Graham, Cedar Wax Wing, Elizabeth McKitrick, Hafiz, JPC.raleigh. Randen Pedersen, Just Sit There Right Now, Martha Carlough, Mountain Ash, Salzburg Cross, Second Nature Home, spiritual direction, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver | 1 Comment

The Other Voice in My Head

Posted on June 5, 2015 by Esther Hizsa

I’m doing it wrong. The voice in my head didn’t mince words. What “it” referred to wasn’t something innocuous like following a recipe; it was my whole spiritual life. Sometimes I’m so confident. I write confidently; I live confidently. Other times … Continue reading →

Posted in Poetry, Popular Posts, Poverty of Spirit, Stories | Tagged confidence, Crystal, Esther Hizsa, Hafiz, Isaiah 55:8, negative self-talk, Seed Cracked Open, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, Wrong Way | 239 Comments

The Word Became Flesh

Posted on December 24, 2014 by Esther Hizsa

Emmanuel when Jesus came he didn’t sneak in through the back door of poverty selling magic tricks for applause no Jesus came poor entered every day of every life and never left The Word became flesh and blood, and moved into … Continue reading →

Posted in Advent, Christmas, Poetry | Tagged Emmanuel, John 1:14, Nativity, Paul Kline, sneak in through the back door, Star Walkers, violscaper | Leave a comment

DIY Prayer Retreat #1: What God Has Given, What God Is Doing

Posted on October 1, 2014 by Esther Hizsa

Introduction: For a couple of years our contemplative group has been having one-day prayer retreats that are simple, wonderful and free. Up to eight of us have gotten together at one time. We bring our own lunch and meet for a morning or a … Continue reading →