In the past few weeks, the silent landscape of winter has shifted into a vibrant chorus of bird song as the winged ones return and begin to court and nest. The spring equinox has passed, and though winter lingers on, each day grows longer and brighter – light is returning to the world. A time of renewal in the earth also seems the time to renew one’s spirit.
Ten years ago, I composed a set of pieces for the 125th Anniversary of Duquesne University entitled “The Trees of Righteousness.” The text, taken from the biblical sources of Isaiah, Ezekiel, and the Psalms, explored the sense of being called to a purpose in the world. The second movement, “Be Neither Silent Nor Still” always comes to my mind during Lent and Holy Week. It is about the dark night of the soul, about searching for light as well as a cry for compassion and justice. As we emerge from the long dark nights of winter, the song reminds me that this is a universal experience of being a human on the earth, regardless of one’s religious or spiritual beliefs. It was written for my dear friend and colleague Guenko Guechev, whose magnificent voice you will hear on the recording. May you find renewal of the heart, mind and spirit this spring.
Be Neither Silent Nor Still from “The Trees of Righteousness” music by Lynn Emberg Purse, @2003
O God, be neither silent nor still.
I look for the light but all is darkness
I look for the light, the light of dawn, but I walk in shadow.
I reach out like a blind man, a blind man along a wall
waiting for justice, for justice, and there is none.
O God, be neither silent nor still.
The wretched and the poor look for water and find none.
Their tongues are parched with thirst, parched with thirst.
Will you not turn the wilderness into pools
and dry land into springs of water?
O God, be neither silent nor still.
Give me a new heart, give me a new heart and
put a new spirit within me.
Take the heart of stone from my body, the heart of stone
and give me a heart of flesh, of flesh,
a new spirit within me.
O God, be neither silent nor still,
composerinthegarden 
Thank you Lynn for this loveliness. I tried an experiment: I listened to the Vancouver bird sounds (stillness interrupted by the birds to announce the return of spring and God) while reading the poem “Oh God be neither silent nor still,” then I listened to your friend sing your composition while I mediated on your photos. I am refreshed!
Eleanor, that’s perfect! I set up the structure of the post for exactly that kind of experience; I’m so glad it worked for you. Thank you for your kind comments; I read them this morning right before I went outside before first light; the dawn chorus was astonishingly rich and full now that the warm weather has arrived, so it made tonight’s evening “vespers” seem even more of a contrast.
Such beautiful music to go with your lovely images, Lynn. 🙂
Thank you, Robin 🙂
Wonderful images and verse, Lynn- Happy Easter!
Thank you, Tracy. I wish you a beautiful and magical spring and a happy Easter!
Ahhh….. so very lovely, so very beautiful. Your music touches my spirit. Exactly what I needed this morning. Thank you, thank you. Blessings
Amy, thank you so much and I am so glad that this was something to which you responded 🙂 Blessings back to you.
Lovely shot of trees looking up to the sky and the music is great to listen to while watching the pictures.
Thanks, Chris; I thought that might work with the audio and the images. Glad you enjoyed!
…and I do love the powerful color of those little early irises!
Thank you, Bluebrightly! They are the first really bright color to bloom in the spring – I love them!
Very beautiful! Like the Hellebores coming through the snow, we shall all find the light.
Thanks, Diversifolius 🙂
Beautiful piece, Lynn! Let’s hope it truly is spring, now…
Thank you, Vlad. Spring weather is predicted for this weekend; I’m hoping!
So lovely, Lynn; thank you for the grace and extraordinary beauty you offer the world through your many gifts! Just a beautiful wonder to visit your site and be fed and renewed.
Kitty, I blush. Thank you for your kindest of comments; you are always such a welcome visitor and I am glad that my music touches you.
Thanks for sharing your wonderful composition. Interesting that I could sense the feeling of Lent and Easter’s anticipation. …. maybe the blooming images helped.
Thank you, Frank, you caught my intent. Even though it was not written specifically for Lent, I always think of this song during the Lenten season and as a prelude to spring.
What a beautiful piece that so clearly captures “renewal of heart, mind and spirit”. Thank you, Lynn!
Thank you, Ogee; I am so glad you enjoyed it.
We are not suddenly filled with light as we pass the equinox …we must watch as it slowly awakens and lifts our spirts
Wonderful comment, Carol – you are so right!
Absolutely beautiful, Lynn! I hope you have a blessed Easter.
Thank you, Paula, same to you.
All of this, so beautiful!
Thank you, Cindy!
beautifully written, and great mental imagery to welcome the spring with! Evocative as always!
Thank you, Mimo. I hope you are enjoying spring wherever you are.