Category Archives: poetry

songs, but without the music

Quod Erat Demonstrandum

Quod Erat Demonstrandum This is how it works. After a long indwelling, shape awareness comes— kenning what must be the shape of the solution, if any exists. Once that shape is felt, reason, a sculptor’s chisel, frees the shape from … Continue reading

Posted in poetry, writings | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

To Hear the Falconer

My father, Howard Webber, has published a long-awaited book: To Hear the Falconer: Song and Prophecy for the Time of War, Want, and Warming.  It is an epic poem—song, prophecy, and prayer—crafted using many scriptural quotations and allusions.  I remember … Continue reading

Posted in poetry, writings | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Animals’ Meditation on Psalm 83

Animals’ Meditation on Psalm 83 O God, do not keep silence; do not hold your peace or be still, O God! Even now your enemies are in tumult; those who hate you have raised their heads. They lay crafty plans … Continue reading

Posted in poetry, writings | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

Junior Faculty

It’s back-to-school time, so here’s a lesson about teaching that I learned from a dear colleague in 1994, my first year as a professor. It’s expressed here as a sonnet, entirely in words of one syllable. Junior Faculty Once, in … Continue reading

Posted in poetry, writings | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

Beach Training

Every summer for the last eleven years I have hosted a Karatedo Doshinkan special training on beaches of Lake Michigan. This year it isn’t going to happen: I’m just too busy finishing at my seminary and preparing (I think) for … Continue reading

Posted in karatedo, poetry, retreats, writings | Leave a comment

Arrow Prayer

Arrow Prayer With my eyes fixed on the finish line I crouch in the starting blocks. I breathe deeply once, then wind the inner spring tightly. I flex and relax in quick restless ripples. I am an arrow, I tell … Continue reading

Posted in poetry, writings | Tagged , | 1 Comment

On Not Having Heard From God Recently

On Not Having Heard From God Recently I think that if I were King, I’d want a captain who doesn’t keep asking, What should I do now? I’d want an agent who knows what I want, and does it, and … Continue reading

Posted in poetry, writings | Leave a comment

Prayer for Children Going to School

Prayer for Children Going to School I saw them waiting in line, four children, early in the morning, backpacks ready and full. I saw the yellow bus take them away. And I rode with them in thought to the place … Continue reading

Posted in poetry, writings | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Vital Statistics

Vital Statistics At the intersection of two country roads a yellow light flashes slowly. I pull over— unnecessarily— hours pass here, this late at night, with no car from any direction. The light flashes, once every two seconds, and it … Continue reading

Posted in poetry | Tagged , | 1 Comment

Songs of Creation

Back in 2008 I made a pilgrimage to Iona. Among the books I read in preparation was J. Philip Newell’s The Book of Creation: An Introduction to Celtic Spirituality—still one of my favorites of Newell’s many good books. The trip … Continue reading

Posted in music, poetry | Tagged , , | 2 Comments