Riding in a Model A in Early Springtime

A row of apple trees lines

the winding road.

And false-brown leaves

whirl dervishly

in the roweling wind—

a wind that’s blowing through

low-lying branches.

 

Small apples, dropping like nuts,

pelt the earth like a joke from the past.

So, technically, it’s Springtime,

but winter makes great news.

 

Silhouettes of a man and a woman

move inside a Model A.

Despite the cold, they have the

windows down.  The man

greets the morning

like a prophet bearing great joy.

Only this time it’s personal.

He sports a welcoming smile, nothing else—

at least, nothing I choose to speak of.

 

The blond beside him wears

last year’s sunscreen, found in the car,

and warm yellow mittens.

  

first published in Rearview Quarterly

Henri Nouwen Meditation Continued

Writing, Opening a Deep Well

Writing is not just jotting down ideas. Often we say: "I don't know what to write. I have no thoughts worth writing down." But much good writing emerges from the process of writing itself. As we simply sit down in front of a sheet of paper and start to express in words what is on our minds or in our hearts, new ideas emerge, ideas that can surprise us and lead us to inner places we hardly knew were there.

One of the most satisfying aspects of writing is that it can open in us deep wells of hidden treasures that are beautiful for us as well as for others to see.

---

Discuss books on-line.  Join our reading group blog.

Support the mission of the Henri Nouwen Society.

Order free booklet The Spirituality of Fund-Raising while quantities last.

Discuss Henri Nouwen's legacy. Join our blog.

Subscribe to Weekly Reflection  Once-a-week eLetter devoted to encouraging you on life’s journey.

Read Bread for the Journey  The popular Nouwen book upon which our 'Daily Meditation' eLetter is based.

Visit HenriNouwen.org for more inspiration!