Poems From The Porch
A very important person — do they know it? — cut up fresh pineapple and honeydew melon and placed the lusciousness on the breakfast buffet as a sweet offering. It is one love note left just for me, but not the first. The trees, bushes, and profuse flowers smiled enthusiastically as I told them, “Good morning!” and the steward of this fecund garden responded to my animated greeting with a large, overhead wave of his own. So much love. Petite, pink wildflower spires are making their home on the bank of the pond, digging deep as they reach for the light, just like me. “Gong!” goes the tower bell, calling all beings to mindfulness and marking the half hour. And there sits a green and brown frog on the water’s edge, big eyes watchful as he role models patience. His composure reminds me of the posture of the doe last night when she saw me walk by — still and silent. Hello Brother Frog, Sister Doe. I see you. Large goldfish are circling just below the surface of the pond, sometimes solo, sometimes together. Looking up, I see ripples flowing toward me as they expand outward from the rocky waterfall — just like the effect all of us are having on one another in every moment.
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