Your Shell

Poems From The Porch

Two ducks waddling in the field

Steady progress to what destination?

Now off they fly.

Bird sounds filling the air

Eager rooster

Persistent woodpecker

Vocal doves

Other avians singing

Roses peeking at me from the corner of the porch,

hoping I’ll notice.

Daisies open sunny-side up,

others poised to be freed from their shells

These thoughts you have,

the ones about limitations

and the way things should be,

crack them open now

so that you, too, may be freed.

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