Poems From The Porch
The benevolent presence of the moon is bearing witness to the earth
like a thin wafer sitting on a blue-sky plate.
A white-bodied egret is also gracing the cerulean platter
as a momentary accoutrement.
Musical accompaniment to the meal,
an auditory side dish,
is being provided by a solitary dove.
I have my place at the table, too,
though my embodiment feels less ethereal.
There is pain in letting go of the order I subconsciously placed
and instead receiving the generous offering on the buffet,
both bitter and sweet.
It seems that the Author of the Feast is asking me to relinquish my expectations about how I thought the banquet should be and to relax into the exquisiteness of the actual menu, knowing that I am not the cook.
I see it now.
I am here by invitation.
I can accept or reject the summons.
Rejection means perpetual suffering because I am surely hungry and thirsty.
Acceptance means faith in the Master Chef to provide nourishing appetizers, entrées, and desserts, all in their appointed time.
My bowl is empty,
so I enter the restaurant of this moment in humble trust and gratitude,
aware of my complete dependence, and ask,
“Please give me this day my daily bread.”
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 fruits 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