By Fr. Vincent Busch

Fr. Vinnie is a Columban priest from the USA who has been serving in Mindanao, Philippines since his arrival in 1975. His great interest in Creation Spirituality brought him to appreciation of life and the cosmos expressed in different forms of art including poetry. He initiated a handicraft project with the Subanens in Zamboanga del Sur in 2001. To see the crafts and cards of the Subanens visit their website, www.subanencrafts.com.

The Birth of the Universe

In the beginning the Spirit said:
"From my fire and its warmth
Let all creation come flaring forth.
Let matter and energy converse
To weave the tale of the universe,
And through the course of time and space
I'll cherish all in my embrace."

The Birth of the Galaxies

Then the Spirit said:
"Let the fire begin to dance
In cooling clouds of elements
Where the tug of gravity
Draws atoms into galaxies,
And hugs the stars till they ignite
To fill the darkness with their light."

The Birth of the Solar System

Then the Spirit said:
"Let stars blaze till they consume
The nuclear fire in their wombs,
And bursting forth as they collapse
Sow the elements in their grasp,
And from their dust let new stars grow
With moons and planets in their tow."

The Birth of the Earth

Then the Spirit said:
"Along with planets near and far
Let Earth take shape around its star.
While its crust solidifies,
Let molten rock throb inside,
Lifting the mountains, spreading the seas,
Molding and folding its geography."

The Birth of Life

Then the Spirit said:
"Let heat and lightning stir the sea
To animate its chemistry,
And from that swirling pool of genes
Let Earth give birth to living beings,
Sprouting forth all kinds of things
With roots and legs, fins and wings."

The Birth of the Earth Community

Then the Spirit Said:
"From desert sand to mountain snow
Let habitats emerge and grow,
Where plants and beasts participate
In nature's rugged give and take
And every creature plays a role
In keeping Earth alive and whole."

The Birth of Humans

Then the Spirit said:
"Let the fire of nature's chorus,
Its raging storms and mighty forests,
Its pounding seas and soaring peaks,
Its blazing skies and teeming reefs,
Burn human hearts with its splendor
And forge their souls in awe and wonder."

The Birth of the Ecological Age

Then the Spirit said:
"Let life entwine the land and sea
In the web of its community.
Let its power move human hearts
To mend the world they've torn apart,
And sing with every leaf and stone
This is our Earth. This is our home."

The Birth of Your Story

Then the Spirit Said:
"The habitats that grace the Earth
Were there to hold you at your birth
And welcome you to the celebration
Of creation's transformation
From my fire that grew to be
A wondrous blue-green symphony."