I am delighted to share another beautiful submission to the Monk in the World guest post series from the community. Read on for Anne Barsanti’s reflection on kinship with creation and poem “Ice Storm.”
I find myself connected to all that surrounds me – human and nonhuman. In reverence and reciprocity, I find the Divine. Earthwork is my everyday work of attention and appreciation. I try to be attentive to God’s work in all that surrounds me. I am in awe and stand in gratitude. I believe that God is in all things. I was inspired as I both witnessed and was a part of an ice storm in the Shenandoah Mountains in February. I was once again humbled by the sheer strength and mercy of the storm. The strength and mercy of the Divine comes as I aspire to be in right relationship with myself, my world, and my God.
IceStorm
Ice crystals formed a frozen layer
On all the limbs of the pine trees
Surrounding me.
Rainwater on these tree arms
Suddenly were bound in ice.
I, too, was held hostage.
Tree limbs bowed from the weight
Of the frozen water
that usually runs off.
Water stayed in its weighted form and
Held the limbs captive
In the power of the cold ice.
Temperatures in the afternoon rose.
Warmth from the sun, the air,
Melted the wrapped limbs.
Rounded crystals rained from the trees
Smacking the ground; shards from the trees
Scattered like broken glass on the earth.
What started as sheer strength of frozen water,
And made all to bend to its power
Ended in mercy from the Sun.
All brought back in balance,
In right relationship
With the water circulating and nourishing.
Trees stand tall in the sunshine
Ready to bear witness to the Earth’s
Power and its patience — to find balance.
Anne Barsanti brings her passion for language, love of the earth, and eagerness to nourish the world in all she does. By being attentive, she hopes to bring a sense of grounding to those around her. Anne is spiritually restored through prayer, physically renewed in her yoga practice, and mentally enriched with learning. Currently plants, poetry, food pantry, and a feisty Portuguese water dog have captured her attention.
