Being With

Cicada chorus rising and falling
 

Water's surface adorned with sequins of light
 

Throaty bullfrog croaking like a tuba
 

Dragonflies darting among the tall grasses
 

Tentative turtle popping up to survey the scene
 

Sentinel trees lined up along the shore
 

Caretaker ducks performing their morning rounds
 

Jumping fish making a splash
 

The pond, like quicksilver, spread out before me
 

I am learning to honor my feelings, instead of rejecting them,
 

to recognize them as messages from the scared little girl within me who needs my attention.
 

And I want to show up for her
 

telling her that I have her back,
 

that sorrow takes time to heal,

and that I'll support her through that journey,
 

that her anger alerts her to the need to set boundaries,
 

that she is relevant just for being,
 

and most of all, that she is not alone.
 

Engaging With The Poem

Poetry can be a doorway to the soul and your own creativity. Throughout the ages, the written word has been used as a means to access personal truth and as a vehicle for prayer through the practice of sacred reading (lectio divina). I encourage you to try this beautiful practice and let its truths to be self-evident.

How To Practice Sacred Reading

Read+Reflect+Respond+Rest

READ the passage through slowly more than once, noticing how it feels in your body and the response of your heart.

REFLECT: What word resonates with you? What phrase speaks to you? What overall personal meaning comes to you? Allow yourself to follow a tangent.

RESPOND by making space for the prayer of your heart to manifest. Write down the words and/or phrases that resonate with you, and allow them to arrange themselves into your own poem or prayer.

REST with your eyes closed, perhaps using the word that most resonates with you as your mantra for silent meditation.

Dear friend,

May your mind be peaceful and calm,

may your body be relaxed and comfortable,

and may your heart be filled with love.

Thank you for reading.

Blessings and gratitude,

Ani