Musings on Merton

"The Christian life--and especially the contemplative life--is a continual discovery of Christ in new and unexpected places." -- Thomas Merton, Trappist monk

I hear the crocodiles ponder
the great mysteries of faith--
going snap snap snap
in unison as Thomas Merton
says alleluia to Christ
in the hinterland of universal
spiritual discovery.

Merton drinks tea in the hermitage.
He boils water and rests the
tension of the world as his
butt sinks into the chair.

He waits "Come Lord Jesus"
He waits some more "Come Lord Jesus"

The water boils--
as the boiling wrath of
God's justice is poured over
the sins of the world--
a miracle occurs.

Mercy embraces the ashes of
sorrow which for centuries
have lain in hopeful watchfulness.

Jesus eagerly looks at Merton--
Merton chuckles.

Tea is poured.

Christ drinks.

Merton is somewhat overwhelmed
at the apparent ordinariness of it all.

Tea! Tea! Tea!

Christ is absorbed.

That's it--Merton--trembles on
the edge of being absorbed.

He cries--fright percolates in
his guts tightening him.

Merton thinks "Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia."

His body screams.
"I thirst" he thinks inwardly.

He pours more tea, but that
does not accomplish the miracle.

Merton breathes

Jesus

Christ's cup is empty--
the tea is gone

"Your will be done"
Merton thinks.

"Your will be done" spoken out loud.

Christ acknowledges it.

The Mothering Fathering Spirit and Christ dwell--
hovering--brooding--
the old bumped up globe takes
on an aura of grace--it looks holy--
touched and held by love.
Merton is moved to kiss the globe.
His lips are seared with the world's pain.

Eloi--Eloi--lama--sabathani!

Merton hears it.

An endless echo from deep within himself.
He collapses on the floor.

Christ absorbed into Merton--into Christ--
into Merton--Harlem--Israel--Watts--
Nuremberg--Vietnam
whispering
whispering
whispering in gratitude

For all the saints resting
in the long white cowls of prayer.

Now is the time for lamentation.

Merton--no longer Merton as he
knew himself gets up to embrace Christ.

Christ is gone--
away--deeper into the mystery
of Merton's search for communion.

KEVIN JOSEPH KROFCHEK lives and writes in Regina,this poem to mark the Saskatchewan. We offer anniversary of Thomas Merton's death, December 10, 1968.