Poems From The Porch
Photo by Patrice Bouchard on Unsplash
Loud chirping from an unseen singer Blue jay snaps a dead branch from the crepe myrtle and flies it over to the pine Two large black cats, one fluffy and one sleek, lying on my lap Wind stirring up sound in the trees White-grey opaqueness hiding blue Mosquitoes, sparse but present The hope of green springing from the damp ground And wildflowers, dainty white ones with yellow centers Early buds on the oaks and jasmine Pecan trees still waiting Sky-fliers determined to sing in a new season One dove cooing, and a woodpecker finding breakfast Breeze now enough to awaken the chimes Tiny, brown bird hopping and offering an intermittent “peep” Light changing as cloud curtains hang dark Now drops, like fingers tapping insistently, then ceasing their urgency And I, writing out my prayer of attention and appreciation awake to this moment in gratitude for Life’s expressions and the fragrance of incense Focusing on this one Now, this one Love Affirming the Good Proclaiming, “holy, holy, holy!” Rejecting nothing, but embracing clear vision to see the Truth of how woundedness taints perspective and receptive benevolence heals it
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