"Wheels Turning Inward" is a is a rich collection of over fifty poems, following a poet’s mythic and spiritual journey that crosses easily onto the paths of many contemplative traditions. The artwork at the top of this page, is one image found in the Gordon Moore Memorial stain glass window at Trinity Episcopal Church in Houston, Texas, by the artist Kim Clark Renteria. The image of these three circles, is emblematic of both the Trinity and the title for this new collection of poetry now available from Friesen Press.





Saturday, January 9, 2010

Hannah's Smile (For Hannah who is wondrous gift of God)



Hannah has a smile,

Hannah has a smile,

Hannah has a smile

as wide as the world!



When Hannah smiles, she smiles with the

smile of God.  Hannah all by herself

is a perfect reflection of all creation.

(Bright with heavenly promise.)



Hannah is her own heaven,

a heaven of playing, and laughter.

A heaven of running and  

gleeful (soul-filled) squeals spilling

out of her whole being.



Hannah’s smile is an infinite

smile arresting all sense of time.

Hannah’s smile makes time stand still

and angels bow with grace.



Hannah’s smile is a healing smile that

heals a tender heart.

Her smile is a joyful smile, boundless

beyond all measure, that

fills you with the delight of life.



Hannah is a heaven of kisses, of

small hands and feet

and gentle hugs

and arms to hold you tight with love.



Hannah is the love of two people

falling in love (always, may they fall further still)

who brought her (as God’s astounding gift)

into this world.



As a blessing for you,

and for me, and

for all the earth to see.





Ron Starbuck

Copyright 2010


Hannah, just so you will know, is my great niece.  The daughter of my niece Heather and her husband Darryl who live in Houston, Texas.