Poems From The Porch
A blue jay is tenaciously attempting to break off a twig.
His persistent efforts have paid off,
and now he flies away to craft his home.
I am musing on the fact that the provision he needs is readily available — —
his for the taking.
Gardenia-scented air is bathing me in the fragrant springs of a new season,
while winds of change are stirring things up.
Laughing, the tree limbs bend and sway in response,
never taking themselves too seriously.
Like all of us, they are subject to transient conditions,
and so I rise.
Now I am standing in the cool grass,
feet planted in naked trust
that the spirit of holiness will ignite new life within me
and the light of the Great Love will renew and refresh me
as I surrender my sorrows.
Turning away from the darkness,
I focus on filling my life with love and childlike wonder,
stripped bare, but not broken.
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