When the Mind Needs to Remember What the Heart Knows

Poems From The Porch

White bird in the shallows stands poised,
 a graceful statuette awaiting provision.

 Silver-glassed water reflecting shadow trees
 allows itself to be affected
 by the wind, the ducks petite, and the spritely fish.

 And like the lake, I am also moved
 by the breeze carrying a woodsy aroma
 and the felt sense of interconnection with All That Is.

 Now the shy sun is revealing
 the surface of the mirror lake yellow and green.

 We are each doing what we do
 — from the scuttling bugs
 to the pastel pink beauties flying in a flock
 to me, marking it all with my pen.

 I don’t ever want to leave here,
 this place of quite stillness.

 So, I suppose I will just have to carry a piece of it with me
 swaddled tenderly in my heart,
 to unwrap in needed moments
 when my mind seeks the reassurance that all is

 utterly and completely,
 eternally and perpetually,
 lavishly and simply,

 well.

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 fruits 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