THE WORD
© June 27, 2016
By James M. Truxell
For James T. Hall
In the beginning was the
Word . . .
There really was one, wasn't there?
Surely there had to be
A word that would bring it to pass,
Clarify, connect, heal.
If only I could find it and
Speak it,
Then
All would be well.
There are so many of them:
Entire systems of strange words
Yoked to authorial ego,
Redundantly plowing the same fields,
Enunciating up serviceable, wise banalities.
Clothed in their lexicographical splendor,
No one would ever suspect
My soul's profound aphasia,
It's deep longing to speak,
To connect.
One.
Once,
In the silence
I didn't hear it,
Its inward speech intuited -
Known with a
Biblical sensibility -
It
Just
Was . . .
Clear as a Big Sky morning,
Crisp as Ouray from eleven thousand feet,
Silent as Carlsbad,
Rhythmic as Atlantic surf,
The scent of ancient depths,
On the tongue -
Salt -
As of the earth's
Rough-cloven crust.
Orgasmic:
Creative
Fleeting
Connective
Knowing
Deeply
Knowing.
It spoke its
Name.
(Or so some say,
But who can remember a
Name
When
Face-to-Face
With the
Unspeakable
Word?)
Sometimes
It comes again
From beyond the ken
Of my senses,
Off guard,
Its pronunciation possible
Only on the halted breath of
Inhalation.
It speaks my name.
I am known into
Being:
Loved
Safe
Finally to relax into
Unknowning,
Into the
Clarifying
Healing
Connection
Wrought by that
Word
I cannot speak.
* * * * * * * * * * * *
(This poem is a reflection about part of the arc of my career in pastoral counseling. At first, as with most in the profession, I sought out techniques that might "magically" heal those in my care. I joined countless colleagues in continuing education - learning many of the latest methods and perspectives of the craft. Only as the years went on, and especially toward the end, did I come to realize a deeper Way that, when paired with those methods, permitted healing to come and be received as a gift . . . often to me, as well as to my clients. It is dedicated to Rev. James T. Hall, my consultant of a great many years, who patiently helped me evolve as a pastoral counselor. Tuesdays With Morrie were more than matched by Mondays With Jim. Thanks, Jim!)
