Written for Trinity News, The Magazine of Trinity Wall Street, Summer 2014 Vol. 61 No.2 BY JAMIE COATS Richard Meux Benson, the founder of the Society of Saint John the Evangelist (SSJE), was concerned about the pace of the Industrial Revolution and its effect on our humanity. He wrote that he was worried about what […]
Category Archives: Poems
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The Evensong of Humpty Dumpty
Humpty Dumpty sat on the harbor wall. In Pigeon Cove Humpty Dumpty had a great fall. All the king’s horses and all the king’s men Couldn’t put Humpty back together again! The one called Emma, the love within said: It is time for peace on the earth From heaven’s all gracious King Goodwill to all […]
Sermon on The Transfiguration of Jesus
SERMON For Saint John’s Episcopal Church Beverly Farms, Massachusetts The Transfiguration of Jesus By Jamie Coats March 2nd, 2014 Last Sunday after Epiphany Readings: Exodus 24:12-18, 2 Peter 1:16-21, Matthew 17:1-9, Psalm 99 Reference: Luke 9:37-43 Thank you for inviting me to your beautiful church to reflect on the Transfiguration. I bring you greetings from […]
No Nothin’! GOD!
You’re a No Nothin’! baptize with fire water blood You’re a No Nothin’! brand you drown you rape you stab you You’re a No Nothin’! drag you out dress you up white sheet robed walk up, spit You’re a No Nothin’! plunge a knife into your chest blood ooze out now squirting red You’re a […]
No Word of God
“I am so happy,” said the Devil. “People rarely use the word “Evil.” Or words of God so beautiful, Crafted to be so prayerful.” “That hateful wonder, the holy Liturgy, Vanishes as people talk on their own authority. Linguistic worship reduced to Sunday, They chuck it out every weekday.” “Who’s left […]
Still Hope at Pigeon Cove
Still I sit at dusk Quiet, with a sea view Half sky Quarter sea Quarter grass And me My hands cupped Waiting to receive At dawn the sun arose The love within, Emma Emmanuel for some Released a dove Looking for a cove All day it comes Across the half sky Across the quarter blue […]
Looking for Emmanuel – post Newton
In the late 90s I volunteered one morning a week for one class in a middle school in Mattapan in Boston at a time of many youth-on-youth shootings. I asked my sixth grade class how we could make the class safe. Quickly ideas were shouted out: “armed guards, metal detectors, bars on the windows.” Then […]
Our Newborn Joy
A word, softly spoken Impregnates our busy lives Swelling the recollection We are already loved. A prayer for Advent Jamie Coats December 2012
Bean & Leaf
She walked into the bar and saw him immediately, the Greenman. His face was made of leaves, he wore a summer suit and a floral Liberty print tie displaying a riot of flowers tastefully tumbling down his front. She sat next to him. She was wearing a small silk pouch around her neck that matched […]
The Green Man and Pegasus
At a bar met the Green Man Who asks, “Like a word?” “I am looking for Emmanuel, Emma for short.” “Go to my barn, take some lessons, I’ve just the horse for you, Pegasus. What a winged horse, Asked for a barn right on the cliff edge So he’d be able to leap straight into […]