Scenic Wonder
Poems From The Porch
Petite, yellow wildflowers hanging on tenaciously to the cliff’s edge San Juan river steadily carving time into the rust, sage, and grey stone Low-hanging clouds subtly meandering nearer and nearer Gusty wind heralding the approaching storm Sand mountains appearing like scoops of Neapolitan ice cream slowly melting together Two inky ravens lifting and lifting without a flap Turn the page Dawn showing pink on the horizon The rising sound of water navigating the canyon Soft breeze stirring with the sun’s smile I am musing on interdependence and how forces of manifestation brought me and this scenic wonder together — merged for us to co-arise in this moment. And then my heart grins, recognizing that I, too, am a scenic wonder offering myself in appreciation and awe. Perhaps Gooseneck Canyon is reveling at me, too.
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