Angelina's Garden

A Poetic Response to The Wilderness Journal by Angela Doll Carlson

365 days!

365 days of reading and struggling

with

the spiritual masters,

the desert fathers,

the musings,

the stories.

The Philokalia,

through Angela’s eyes

and pen remind me that

I’m part of a larger community

that grapples with

humility,

stillness,

watchfulness,

prayer,

virtue,

and balance.

I’ve been challenged by

Neilos,

Hesychios,

Mark,

John,

Evagrios and others

to examine the heart,

build a treasure in heaven,

taste contemplation

and humble the soul’s tendency to vanity.

This journal has been my constant companion

for 365 days.

It has ridden in my backpack,

flown to Canada,

gathered sand on a beach,

sat in a hammock,

and

sustained numerous coffee stains.

Dust has not gathered on its jacket.

I’VE LOVED THIS BOOK!

and I have devoured every word.

Dang it!

There’s a void now.

I gift it to friends and grown kids,

saying,

“you will enjoy the ride.”

January 10th and my copy’s on a bookshelf in my house for the first time.

I see the spine and smile;

I’ll be back…