Poems From The Porch
Great blue heron standing solo on the bank
Mosquito hawks hovering overhead in community
Cloud puffs slowly and silently drifting
Liquid ripples flowing at a faster pace
Red-winged blackbird landing on a cedar branch
Soft breeze and cicada song caressing and withdrawing
Sunny wildflower clusters adorning the waters edge like a tiara
Mockingbird blending in with the shale and gravel
Five ducks primping in the morning light
Now here they come.
I've been hoping for this opportunity.
They like the juicy grapes that I brought and seem satisfied with my offering.
Look at their tails wag and how they use their heads to clean their feathers!
The beak appears to be a tool for deep cleaning.
And sometimes they air things out by wing expansion.
One of their cousins just flew in a low circle over the water, showing off his striking feather bands,
while a cardinal couple briefly sojourned with the land-bound ducks and me.
Sky puffs have changed to masses of gray-white moisture making the wind more pronounced.
My duck companions are settling in for a nap.
Behind me, an eager squirrel is nibbling on a nut.
I think I'll go for a walk.
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