My dear friend David Gentiles died on December 18 nine years ago. I am still conscious of both his absence and his presence. Going through some old poems tonight I found this one that I wrote after he sent me a note to say he was listening to his John Denver records, a musical love…
Maybe it’s because I went into the family business. My grandfather, Milton I, was a preacher. My father, Milton II, was a preacher. I am Milton III. In the spring of my first year at Baylor, I walked down the aisle at Columbus Avenue Baptist Church one Sunday night and told Marshall Edwards that I…
One of my favorite Advent songs comes from Tom Petty. the waiting is the hardest part every day you see one more card you take it on faith, you take it to the heart the waiting is the hardest part Though the baby he’s talking to in the song has nothing to do with Bethlehem,…
I didn’t write yesterday because it was my birthday. I turned sixty-two. If my father were still alive, he would have told me I was beginning my sixty-third year. I like both marking the accomplishment—and turning sixty-two is an accomplishment—and seeing it also as a beginning so something new, even as I acknowledge that there…
Kenny Chesney followed me on Twitter this week. I have no idea why. But Kenny, if you’re reading this, would you mind promoting my books at your concerts? But seriously . . . I continue to be amazed by how we are connected. I met my friend Vijaya when we both were new teachers in…
And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. (Luke 2:6 KJV) understatement I first learned the story the same way Linus told it: in language so old that some of the words were forgotten or meanings had changed “the days were accomplished” who says that…
We talked about Mary in church today, as I am sure many did. Growing up as a Baptist boy, I was not taught to hail Mary. In a theology that did not have much regard for women in general, Mary was little more than a holy container for the Christ-child. But if one of the…
You’ve put up with a lot of poetry this week. Tonight I offer the words—and music—of others that moves me. The list is not exhaustive, but these are the ones that pulled me tonight. I noticed, as I got to the end of my selections, that they are all male voices this time around. As…
resounding there is no such thing as silence in the calm of any quiet you can hear hearts breaking dreams dying thanks giving sadness sounding hope harbinging losses mounting faith enduring love outlasting grief weighing grace pervading hands holding listen closely listen . . . for your name your name mine, too Peace, Milton
thank you note the certainty of cynicism has no room for gratitude power never says thank you we are a culture short on courage and long on loud to choose to be thankful requires the tenacity of a heart broken open and willing to sit silently on a starlight night or in the shadow of a…