Poems From The Porch
I've been here before
many, many times – –
a gray Louisiana morning,
the whoosh of the wind,
birds singing merrily,
soft tinkle of the chimes,
the fragrance of incense,
a couple of cats cuddled on my lap,
the feline patriarch rumbling his deep purr contentedly.
One pink camellia is blooming,
with more soon to follow,
and a brown bird's nest lies vacant,
despite last year's construction.
Last year – –
feels like something I had to get through,
antithetical to my usual approach to life.
And here I sit again,
me and the cats.
There are some subtle differences to the landscape,
like my two magnolia tree companions – –
a banana magnolia and the one that produces the state flower.
Some of the kitty faces have changed, too,
and there is a new paint horse grazing in a nearby field.
Welcome pain.
Welcome sorrow.
Welcome longing.
Welcome change.
Welcome gratitude.
A sweet little bird is sitting on a branch looking around,
just like me perched on my rocker.
The thought makes my heart smile
and reminds me not to take myself too seriously.
So the question before me – –
and the tiny avian – – is,
"What will I love today?"
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