Poems From The Porch
The purslane buds wait every morning to open to the warmth of the sun.
The brilliant rays invoke their passionate response.
Without a thought about the rightness of their unfolding,
the petals simply allow,
without resistance,
the manifestation of their beauty.
How many times have you known what you wanted
and questioned your own desire,
doubting its legitimacy,
and seeking for justification
in order to emerge in a way that seems natural to you?
Take a lesson from the purslane.
When your inspiration ignites,
let go of hesitation and the need to figure things out.
Just bloom, beloved flower.
Bloom.
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
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