Invoking St. John of the Cross

by Thomas Squiers

St. John of the Cross:
You speak out to me loudly
as my soul, too, encounters its very own
'Dark Night.'

It is true.
I am not ashamed to admit it.
I, like many, have encountered
such a moment in my life.

My dark night is not permanent,
but it is very real.
I feel it.
I see it.

Whereupon the journey's lane
I seek refuge, safety -
Alas! I am standing alone...
at least what feels like such.

I know that Maker is standing near
Though not near enough;
Otherwise, my night would be day.
Sunlight of the Soul would be nice.

St. John of the Cross
If you are listening -
If you can spare some time -
Stay with me til this Night passes.

*'Dark Night' refers to St. John of the Cross's writing titled "Dark Night of the Soul," which you can read more about here. 

Fallen Angel

by Thomas Squiers
© 2013. All rights reserved.

I fell from the sky
I hit the ground
softly
greeted by green
greeted by Earth

This new place
This new shell
This new life
This new hell

This is where I
fell

Was this a set up?
Was this my fate?
A 'Fallen Angel'
written
on my name plate

I fell from the sky
I hit the ground
softly
greeted by lovers
greeted by haters

This new life
This new skin
This new world
This new sin

This is where I
fell

In Pursuit of Peace

The following poem was written in response to the bombings in Boston, the tragedy in Texas, and to all forms of violence and corruption around the world in recent weeks. 

In Pursuit of Peace

by Thomas Squiers

© 2013

So much going on

or perhaps it is just

that it appears

that way

And yet

my heart is

heavy

heavy

heavy

Amidst the turmoil

and the angst

I ask myself

where is the peace?

The news

the media

picks up on

everything going on

and I cannot divert

my eyes

My heart remains

heavy

heavy

heavy

Despair and confusion

and rage consumes

but we must

look for peace

As I look

for answers

to what is going on

I pray for

peace

Though my heart remains

heavy

heavy

heavy