Poem & Pic of the Month: November 2015
- Patrick Bishop
- Nov 20, 2015
- 1 min read
Every month (or so!), I post one of my poems (paired with one of my pictures), sharing its origin and some of its essence. Here is my Poem & Pic of the Month for November 2015:

Known as I am Known
by Patrick Bishop
Science can explain almost any phenomenon:
Why a candle burns
How food becomes energy
Where the monarch flies
How mirror neurons trigger a smile
But, when I watch the candle
I don't understand it at all
The same is true for most nature experience:
A baby being born
A flower opening to sunshine
A kitten purring
A squirrel living through winter
Your arms around me
My response is awe
My response is amazement
My response is wonder and mystery and
Yes! Thank you.
Just because we can name something,
doesn't make it known to us
Religion can explain many traits of God;
Peace, Faith, Love, among others
But God's peace passes all understanding
Faith is walking forward in darkness
Love is boundless
God's name is ineffable
We know, but not by naming
We know, I AM through i am
We know, even as we are known
Background
Written December 30, 2014 in reflection, just before starting a several-month sabbatical. Interestingly, this poem gives insight on my mindset prior to the start of my sabbatical. My sabbatical was about two things: learning and renewal. Looking back over the last year since writing this poem, I realize, I accomplished some of both.
The Picture
A flower opening to sunshine; taken in Tampa on a trip with Paulie a few years ago.
© 2015 by Patrick Bishop; all rights reserved.