Poems From The Porch
Iris and ginger lily fronds swaying in response to the caress of the breeze
Morning air alive with the sound of blue jays conversing
Five sunny daffodils glowing neon against the overcast sky
Petite paper whites gifting their sweet scent
Spring wildflowers sprinkled yellow and white across the dewey grass,
the ground rich and damp from the recent rain
Stray, beige kitten trying to sneak around unnoticed to grab some breakfast,
his ignorance preventing him from resting in this place of refuge
Vivid, crimson camellia blooming determinately among the many bare branches,
delivering an invitation for pruning
Stubbs, the patriarch, and Petey, the black panther, snuggling on a friendly lap —
nothing new there
Fluffy and ginger Sparkle lounging on the rustic table
Sammy, the tabby, stretched out on the porch floor with his head resting on his arm
Solitary dove cooing in the distance
Regal red wasp landing on the ceiling fan blade,
no doubt looking for a place to begin construction
Banana magnolia shrub laden with buds,
eagerly waiting to serve her delicious fragrance
Cardinal choir tweeting insistently,
overlaying the meadowlark’s gentle song with staccato
Stubbs’ deep purr emerging strong,
a reminder of the wisdom of impermanence
Beloved cat companion of many years
sparking gratitude and anticipatory grief
A lazy Sunday,
each embracing the moment in their own way
Innocent soul rocking alone not by choice,
yet alonester now on purpose,
rediscovering her power,
creating the life she wants,
delighting in awe,
dancing in gratitude,
growing amidst the flowers and the fodder,
accepting the coin of pain and pleasure as income and investment,
prostrate at the altar of this extraordinary life
*Author note: I am coining the term “alonester” for a person who is alone not originally by choice, but now on purpose. Stay tuned for more musings from this alonester.
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