Sister Carmen Bernos de Gasztold was a Benedictine nun and gifted writer who lived from 1919 to 1995. She wrote two books giving voice to God’s animals titled “Prayers from the Ark” and “The Creatures’ Choir.” This summer I am sharing once again more of her pensive poems.

Lord,

let me live as I will!

I need a little wild freedom,

a little giddiness of heart,

the strange taste of unknown flowers.

For whom else are Your mountains?

Your snow wind? These springs?

The sheep do not undersatnd.

They graze and graze,

all of them, and always in the same direction,

and then eternally

chew the cud of their insipid routine.

But I–I love to bound to the heart of all

Your marvels,

leap Your chasms,

and, my mouth stuffed with intoxicating grasses,

quiver with an adventurer’s delight

on the summit of the world!

Amen.

Sister Carmen Bernos de Gasztold was a Benedictine nun and gifted writer who lived from 1919 to 1995. She wrote two books giving voice to God’s animals titled “Prayers from the Ark” and “The Creatures’ Choir.” This summer I am sharing once again more of her pensive poems.

To build,

Lord,

that is a vocation!

I speak of my passion,

architecture.

Of course

one should build on a rock,

but what fillips is there

in doing anything easy?

My element is to struggle–

it is water that allures–

and tells me

to build a safe and steady house

on the moving stream

of a river–

moving as life does, swiftly–

what an adventure!

With patience and ingenuity

one can do anyting.

But I am one

who loves to swim against the current,

to build

something lasting–

and all my own work–

at the very core of life.

Oh yes, Lord,

if You would give me

some of Your living water,

I would build

Your paradise for You!

Amen.

Sister Carmen Bernos de Gasztold was a Benedictine nun and gifted writer who lived from 1919 to 1995. She wrote two books giving voice to God’s animals titled “Prayers from the Ark” and “The Creatures’ Choir.” This summer I am sharing once again more of her pensive poems.

Oh Lord,

Your sun

gives me

Saint Vitus’ dance,

I,

and all my clan.

We trace our strange ballet

in the sunlight.

Yet, we, though so little,

must mainfest

our joy,

and dance, dance, dance.

Oh, let our tiny black constellation

take its place, one day,

glorified

as stars.

Amen.

Sister Carmen Bernos de Gasztold was a Benedictine nun and gifted writer who lived from 1919 to 1995. She wrote two books giving voice to God’s animals titled “Prayers from the Ark” and “The Creatures’ Choir.” This summer I am sharing once again more of her pensive poems.

Oh! What a worrit!

All these chicks

to cherish and protect–

can’t shut an eye

even for a moment!

That one strays too far,

those two big ones quarrel,

and this tiny one isn’t strong.

I should like to keep them always under my wings,

but they must learn how to live.

That dreadful cat!

Never trust a cat!

And all these feet

tramping round my brood.

Beware! Hen pecks!

I’m going to lose my temper!

Lord,

my heart is so choked

with loving care,

how can I say

Amen?