Autumn

The leaves are falling, falling as if from far up,
as if orchards were dying in space.
Each leaf falls as if it were motioning "no."

And tonight the heavy earth is falling
away from all the other stars in the loneliness.

We're all falling. This hand here is falling.
And look at the other one.... It's in them all.

And yet there is Someone, whose hands
infinitely calm, hold up all this falling.

--Rainer Maria Rilke

This is the Hour of Lead
Remembered, if outlived,
As Freezing persons, recollect the Snow
First Chill then Stupor then the letting go

--Emily Dickinson
"After great pain, a formal feeling comes"

When sorrows like sea billows roll...

--traditional hymn,
"It is Well with my Soul"

My deepest sympathies and prayers for the families of those lost in the many tragedies of September 11, 2001.

My prayers for the breaking of the strength of those who committed the acts, and further prayers for our nation, that our conscience would be restored, that we might never be guilty of careless or oppressive acts at home or abroad.

My prayers for the children of those who committed these sickening acts...that their hearts would not be so hardened, that they might be intuitive enough to know the wrong in the deeds of their parents, and grow into men and women seeking reconciliation and peace.

My prayers against acts of racism in our communities, and against acts of rash retaliation by our government.

And further prayers for the artists of the world, that they might capture for us not the emotion, but rather the significance and the meaning of these events, that we might see in their visions the truth, and be humbled before God.

Why do I ask God "How could you let this happen?" Am I not always defending my own freewill, my own rights, and insisting on controlling my own destiny, foolish as I am?  Daily, I defy what few restrictions God has wisely placed upon me for my own safety.  Better to say to Him "God, you have made me free, and I am devastated at how with such freedom I recklessly contribute to the sin in this world, sin that escalates to terrifying heights. Forgive me my sins, and may it be Your will, not mine, done here on earth...as it is in heaven."  Jesus looked out on the cruelty of human beings and wept.  Imagine how much greater, this week, is His grief than ours.  And then remember that we are promised:  where there is sin, God's grace will abound all the more.  I will try to hang on to that, and try to make some small effort to bring about His grace in the world today.  Time to turn off the television and DO something about this.

-Jeffrey Overstreet
editor, Looking Closer

looking closer

looking closer

"Pictures steal our memories, and turn our minds to salt..."  

                           - Sam Phillips

from an eyewitness account  composed by T-Bone Burnett:

"I would prefer not to relate the emotional aspects of the event, as you will hear it all from the media, and although some of it will be useful most of it will be a hypnotized unconscious and irresponsible effort on the part of the media to try to "make" your emotions for you. I would urge you to avoid this as much as possible. Your emotions are your own as are your thoughts and impressions, and they are sacred. Try to keep them that way and avoid the mob effect that you will be submitted to. Try to think and feel for yourself.

"I have my own impressions, however through it all the most difficult thing was to keep a sense of awareness separate from the food of emotions and confusion. To stay at the top of the string, not in the sway of the pendulum."