Mercy and Love
In order to know and love God as He is, we must have God dwelling in us in a new way, not only in His creative power but in His mercy. Thomas Merton, New Seeds of Contemplation.
Nothing I could do
would ever be enough
to make the dead-wood
live. Though the wind
and rain sever bright leaves,
tender blossoms from
the cherry tree, and the
birds themselves fly
from my anger,
I know
I could never
make it right,
though with tears I flood,
nourish with a
broken heart's blood
I am powerless.
Yet still these bruised stems,
thicken and split
to bud, spill green life,
fill the earth
with mercy
and love.
poem by Steven Federle
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Related quotes
A Simple Question
'While I am asking questions which You do not answer, You ask me a question which is so simple that I cannot answer. I do not even understand the question.' Thomas Merton, A Merton Reader,
'And He continued by questioning them, ‘But who do you say that I am? '' Mark 8: 29
Clear day
golden sky
gives way to
black clouds
and I ask,
'why? '
It's a child's question.
Within cities
hard edges, pavements
grey receive the red
tide, heads fall
and lives split open,
spill into
gutters fill,
sewers, fill
the sea,
and like a
persistent child
I ask 'why? '
In the morning
through bright
windows I see how
spring leans
to summer, timid
leaves open wide
glow in silver light
and green fire
fills the wood,
and by this beauty
silenced,
I hear
in tones
beyond my hearing
a simple question;
'who? '
but I cannot answer;
I do not
know.
poem by Steven Federle
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For Love Alone
Occupy my whole life with the one thought and the one desire of love, that I may love not for the sake of merit, not for the sake of perfection, not for the sake of virtue, not for the sake of sanctity but for love alone. Thomas Merton, Seeds of Contemplation.
radiant vision
brilliant interlude
raging clouds sundered,
sun-split storm;
soft rain falls
through winter-bare trees,
through fields of
feral flowers,
God's world
set afire
for love alone
poem by Steven Federle
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Mercy Mercy Me / I Want You
Oh, oh mercy, mercy me
Oh, things ain't what they used to be
No, no
Where did all the blue skies go?
Poison is the wind
That blows from the north, west, south and east
Oh, oh mercy, mercy me
Oh, things ain't what they used to be
No, no
Oil wasted on the oceans and our seas
Fish full of mercury
Oh, oh mercy, mercy me
Oh, things ain't what they used to be
No, no
Radiation underground and in the sky
Animals and birds who live nearby are dying
Oh, oh mercy, mercy me
Oh, things ain't what they used to be
No, no
What about this over-crowded land
How much more abuse from man can she stand?
I want you
The right way
I want you
But I want you to want me too
Said I want you to love me
Just like I want you
Oh, I'll give you all the love
You want in return sweet darlin'
Your happiness is all I crave
Ooh, it's too bad - it's just too sad
You don't want me now
But I'm gonna change
Your mind someway, somehow, baby
I want you
The right way
I want you
But I want you to want me too
Said I want you to love me
Just like I want you
A one way love is just fantasy
Oh, sugar
To share is precious pure and fair, ooh
Don't play with something
You should cherish for your life, baby
Don't you want to care?
Lonely?
I'm there
song performed by by Robert Palmer
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Mercy, Mercy Me (live)
Oo oo aa mercy mercy me
Ah things aint' what they used to be
Where did all the blue skies go
Poison is the wind that blows from the north and south and east.
Oo mercy mercy me
Ah things ain't what they used to be
Oil wasted on the ocean and up on our sea
Fish full of mercury.
Ah oh mercy mercy me
Ah things ain't what they used to be
Radiation underground and in the sky
Animals and birds who live near by are dying.
Oh mercy mercy me
Ah things ain't what they used to be
What about this overcrowded land
How much more abuse from man can she stand
song performed by by Matchbox Twenty
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Life Itself
"It is that life itself, fully awake, fully active,
fully aware that it is alive. It is spiritual wonder."
Thomas Merton, New Seeds of Contemplation
Dark rain penetrates
tender leaves, swell spirits, sparks
dormant roots to life.
Like a god, Your star
ascends; with wonder and grace
shines Your mighty face!
poem by Steven Federle
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The Love Sonnets Of Proteus. Part I: To Manon: XVIII
HE LAMENTS THAT HIS LOVE IS DEAD
My love is dead, dead and in spite of me,--
Dead while I lived,--while yet my blood was rife
With hope and pleasure and the pride of life.
For my love ended unexpectedly
During the Winter, stricken like a tree
By a night's cold, and frozen to the blood,
Whose leaves fell off and never were renewed
By any promise of the years to be.
And, when the Spring came, and the birds, to mate
Among its branches, lo! they found it bare,
Though all around was Summer in the wood.
Yet they took heart awhile, incredulous
That such a tree should be for ever dead.
``'Tis early yet,'' they cried. ``The Spring is late.
It shall still be as in the days that were.''
But Summer came and went while the tree stood
Bare in the sun like a deserted house.
--Then the birds suddenly despaired and fled.
poem by Wilfrid Scawen Blunt
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The Sea Of Love
'….it is a sea of Love which flows through the One Body....'
Thomas Merton, New Seeds of Contemplation.
The sea of Love
fills my lungs
courses through
open fingers
warms glowing
heart, pulses
blood-lines
through diaphanous
skin.
In in the surge
of mother-sea
I wait
and grow
and emerge
into who
will be.
poem by Steven Federle
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Mercy Mercy Me
Whoa, oh mercy mercy me
Oh, things ain't what they used to be, no no
Where did all the blue skies go?
Poison is the wind that blows
From the north and south and east
Oh mercy mercy me
Oh, things ain't what they used to be, no no
Oil wasted on the oceans and our seas
Ah, fish full of mercury
Ah-ha, ah mercy mercy me
Oh, things ain't what they used to be, no no
Radiation underground and in the sky
Animals and birds who live nearby all die
Whoa mercy mercy me
Oh, things ain't what they used to be
What about this overcrowded land
How much more abuse from man can she stand?
I want you the right way
I want you, but I want you to want me too
Want you to want me baby
Just like I want you
Oh I'll give you all the love that you want in return, sweet darling
Your happyness is all I crave
It's too bad, it's just too sad
You don't want me no more
But I'm gonna change your mind
Some way somehow baby
I want you the right way
I want you, but I want you to want me too
I want you to want me baby
Just like I want you, ooh
Well one way love is just a fantasy, ah sugar
To share is precious, pure and fair, ooh
Don't play with something you should cherish for life, baby
Don't you wanna care?
Lonely out there
I want you the right way
I want you, but I want you to want me too
Want you to want me baby
Just like I want you, ooh
song performed by by Robert Palmer
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Mercy, Mercy Me
Woo ah, mercy mercy me
Ah things ain't what they used to be, no no
Where did all the blue skies go?
Poison is the wind that blows from the north and south and east
Woo mercy, mercy me, mercy father
Ah things ain't what they used to be, no no
Oil wasted on the ocean and upon our seas, fish full of mercury
Ah oh mercy, mercy me
Ah things ain't what they used to be, no no
Radiation under ground and in the sky
Animals and birds who live nearby are dying
Oh mercy, mercy me
Ah things ain't what they used to be
What about this overcrowded land
How much more abuse from man can she stand?
Oh, na na...
My sweet Lord... No
My Lord... My sweet Lord
song performed by by Michael Mcdonald
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Have Mercy
Baby (baby.. mmm)
What can I do to make you forgive me
For ever cheating on you
See I was a fool, I plead insanity
I throw myself at your mercy
So do what you will with me
Have mercy, mercy, mercy on me
For cheatin on you
I dont know what I was thinking
Cause nobody could do me like you
Have mercy, mercy, mercy on me
For cheatin on you
I dont know what I was thinking
Cause nobody could do me like you
Lover, do you hear me
I took your love for granted but now I see, I see
I shouldve never let him in, I just misunderstood
When I thought hed give me what you already could
Have mercy, mercy, mercy on me
For cheatin on you
I dont know what I was thinking
Cause nobody could do me like you
Have mercy, mercy, mercy on me
For cheatin on you
I dont know what I was thinking
Cause nobody could do me like you
Yeah
Well-well-well-well
Alright...mmmmm-mmmm
Have mercy on me
Have mercy, mercy, mercy on me
For cheatin on you
I dont know what I was thinking
Cause nobody can do me like you
song performed by by Nivea
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Anger fills my heart and soul
Anger fills my heart and soul
Anger takes a mighty toll
Anger lessens but can never leave
Anger you hope to never receive,
Anger stays forever within
Anger acts with the might of all sin
Anger is deadly to all around
Anger gets mad at the thought of sound
Anger is the thoughts in my head
Anger that’s mine all should dread
Anger for me is different from you
Anger you see tells me what to do
Anger will sit and whisper in my ear
Anger he sits and tells me all that you fear,
Anger…
He is here
He’s here to stay
Anger is the hole
In which we lay
Anger is
And Anger will
Always be with us
He is in me, and he is in you
He can make you do
What he wants you to
Anger will make you
Make you cry
Anger can make you
Want to die
Anger can make you
Go insane
Anger….. ... A blood filled rain
No more anger
No more…..
Walk to the bright light
Shinning through that door…
Not knowing what’s in store
But even then
Anger lives on
But you… nevermore
poem by Jacob Hill
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May Song
BIRDS in the green of my garden
Blackbirds and throstle and wren,
Wet your dear wings in the tears that are Spring's
And so to your singing again!
Birds in my blossoming orchard,
Chaffinch and goldfinch and lark,
Preen your bright wings, little happy live things;
The May trees grow white in the park!
Birds in the leafy wet woodlands,
Cuckoo and nightingale brown,
Sing to the sound of the rain on green ground--
The rain on green leaves dripping down!
Fresh with the rain of the May-time,
Rich with the promise of June,
Deep in her heart, where the little leaves part,
Love, like a bird, sings in tune!
poem by Edith Nesbit
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Mother of Mercy
Mother of mercy breathe your life into me,
Open my mind let me see everything there is to see,
Mother of mercy, take my hand and guide me to the pearly gates,
Show me the land of make believe,
Put me to somber sleep and make me dream,
Make me dream of the world around me so beautifully surreal,
Take me under your wing and take me away from what’s real,
Mend the broken covenant of morals by stitching the broken seal,
Mother of mercy, take me to the window where the light shines through,
In my dreams, mother of mercy, every night I dream of you,
Spread your wings and hover over my bedside and protect me from all evil,
Mother of mercy, open the window so I can see the light,
Let the light shine through my eyes so bright,
Be alive so I can be protected in the night,
When the light shines through spread your wings,
Only you Mother of Mercy is the most beautiful of beings,
Mother of Mercy, breathe your life into me.
poem by Kurt Kacich
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Powerless Surprised And Blinded
The cold winter wind cries like a child
when the black ripe spreads with devastation
as if it will find no comfort anywhere
while nature acts without mercy,
cries like a girl that has lost love
when tears glitter bright in drops of dew
as a bird is without a nest, without a companion,
there is even a yearning in the cobalt blue.
When drought devours the last grain,
when lines of dust hang red-brown full of seeds
that only blows away in the rough stormy wind,
then there is no power in all your deeds,
it is even if God is leaving you alone
while you want to cling on to His hand,
it feels if nowhere you can succeed,
there is even a yearning in the cobalt blue,
people become powerless surprised and blinded,
while they see birds comfortless on wires,
they feel as if God does not love them,
they notice despair in their wives;
there is harassment, a type of hatred
that wants to fold around every heart with darkness,
destiny strikes fatally, secretly accurate,
there is even a yearning in the cobalt blue.
poem by Gert Strydom
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And we will call it Britain
Crisp green the stems of daffodils
That brave in spring cold sun
Soft tender green the hawthorn buds
Unfurled with winter done
Bright green the fresh leaves on the limes
That verdant branches lace
Dark green the lily’s slender shoot
That moist earth, piercing breaks
But greenest of all that is green
An island Earth did make
And we will call it Britain
Natures green estate
poem by Egal Bohen
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Have Mercy
(d covay)
Have mercy, have mercy baby
Please have mercy,have mercy on me
Oh have mercy, please have mercy baby
Have mercy mercy, have mercy on me
Went to see the gypsy, to have my fortune read
She said your babys gonna leave you
Shes got her bags stashed under the bed
Have mercy, have mercy baby
Please have mercy,have mercy on me
If you stay here baby, tell you what Im gonna do
Im gonna work to a job, seven days a week
Bring my money home to you
Have mercy mercy mercy , have mercy baby
Oh have mercy,have mercy on me
Hey baby, hey now
What you tyrin to do
Hey baby, hey now
Please dont say were through
Have mercy mercy, have mercy baby
Oh have mercy,have mercy on me
song performed by by Robert Palmer
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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To Be A Lover
Have I told you
Lately that I love you
If I dint, darlin,
You see, Im so sorry
Didnt I reach out
And hold you
In these lovin arms
Well, if I didnt, oh baby.
Well, Im so sorry
When I realized that you need love too,
Gonna spend my life makin love to you.
Got to be a lover.
Have mercy.
Forgot to be a lover, babe. (have mercy)
Forgot to be a lover. (have mercy)
Forgot to be a lover.
Make it on through to you somehow. (have mercy, baby)
Got to be a lover, babe. (forgot to be a lover)
Woo! woo!
Well, did I ask you,
Yes, would you come and share,
Oh, share,
Oh, the burden and the task
Thats at loves command
Didnt I say
All those lovin special things
That you long to hear
To show how much I care
Well, when I realize
That you need love too,
Gonna spend my life
Makin love to you
Forgot to be a lover,
Have mercy
Well, well I worked all day
Hard as I can
Worked all night, didnt make me a man.
(forgot to be a lover)
Have mercy, oo,
When I realized
That you need love too,
Gonna spend my life
Makin love to you. (forgot to be a lover)
Got to be a lover, babe.
Oo, mercy. (have mercy)
Have mercy, baby. (have mercy, baby)
Im gonna make it on through
To you somehow,
So have mercy. (have mercy, have mercy, baby)
Have I told you,
Yes, lately that I love you
If I didnt, oh baby,
Yes, Im so sorry.
Ah, but you know I really love you, baby.(love you baby)
I really love you baby (love you baby)
I really need you baby (need you baby)
I really want you baby (want you baby)
When I realized,
That you need love too,
Im gonna spend my life
Makin love,
Makin love,
Makin love to you
Well, I worked all day
As hard as I can,
Worked all night,
It didnt make me a man, babe.
(forgot to be a lover) (have mercy)
Oo, have mercy baby (have mercy)
Have mercy baby (have mercy)
Oo, have mercy baby (have mercy baby)
Oo, make it through.
Well, when I realized that you need love too,
Im gonna spend my life,
Gotta spend my life makin love to you.
song performed by by Billy Idol
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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We Must Be Grateful
'For all God's gifts there must be in us a response of
thanksgiving and happiness and joy.'
Thomas Merton, Seeds of Contemplation.
***
We must be grateful
when the old ones leave.
Forsaking the March sun,
they brush off tender, white blossoms.
Past the fleeing migrations,
they exhale their final, tainted breath.
Rising from earthen bones
in deep silence, new hymns intone
of thanksgiving and joy
and home.
poem by Steven Federle
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Angel of Mercy
Angel of mercy
Come sit by my side
Have you some mercy
Mercy for me
I'm destined for sadness
Heartache and pain
She's withdrawn her love
And said, for me
To do the same
But my heart, you see
Has a mind of it's own
It keeps on loving
Though her love has moved on
It cries and it bleeds
Through the cold and rain
Never knowing its' journey
Is one taken in vain
So have you some mercy
A little to spare
It could sure use some warmth
From someone who cares
I'm not asking for much
Just something to mend the break
For I'm not quite sure
How much more it can take
It's losing its' strength
Will and might
And may never recover
From when she left
That night
So angel of mercy
I plead, beg and cry
Can you spare me some mercy
Lest my heart should die
poem by Matt Mondschein
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Holy Sonnet IX: If Poisonous Minerals, And If That Tree
If poisonous minerals, and if that tree
Whose fruit threw death on else immortal us,
If lecherous goats, if serpents envious
Cannot be damned, alas, why should I be?
Why should intent or reason, born in me,
Make sins, else equal, in me more heinous?
And Mercy being easy, and glorious
To God; in his stern wrath, why threatens he?
But who am I, that dare dispute with thee
O God? Oh! of thine only worthy blood,
And my tears, make a heavenly Lethean flood,
And drown in it my sin's black memory;
That thou remember them, some claim as debt,
I think it mercy, if thou wilt forget.
poem by John Donne
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