Raising the Lid

Poems From The Porch

Fallen limbs strewn about Autumn flowers blooming in spring Red starburst petals smiling Forlorn tom cat crying his longing White-gray sky again Pinecones populating their tree tops Water oak budding neon green Birdsong, ringing chimes, intermittent car sounds The insistence of a rousing wind And now light lifting the air inviting the recognition of a higher purpose raising the lid off of self-absorption so that all can be free

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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.

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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