Visit the Abbey of the Arts online retreat platform to access your programs:

Invitation to Poetry: Give Me a Word 2013

Welcome to the Abbey’s 64th Poetry Party!

We are making a little departure this month from our usual format where I select an image for you to illuminate with your words.

This month the invitation is to write a poem inspired by your word for the year (and even though that drawing is over, you are still welcome to post your word there – and if you already shared a poem there, please share it again here to have them all gathered together).

I will suggest you make it an acrostic poem which is where each letter of your word forms the first letter of a line of your poem, but all poetic forms are most welcome here.  Consider writing a blessing for the year ahead inspired by your word.

Scroll down and add it in the comments section below to share it with the Abbey community. Feel free to take your poem in any direction and then post the invitation on your blog (if you have one), Facebook, or Twitter, and encourage others to come join the party!

On Friday, February 1st I will draw a name at random to win a space in the upcoming online Lenten retreat with St. Hildegard of Bingen.

You might also enjoy

Monk in the World Guest Post: Michael Moore

I am delighted to share another beautiful submission to the Monk in the World guest post series from the community. Read on for Wisdom Council member Michael Moore’s reflection on Sabbath and Silence. I am thankful to Christine and the Abbey community for this opportunity

Read More »

199 Responses

  1. Surrender

    S – Savior God, to You I do surrender
    U – Under Your guidance may I always be
    R – Rejoicing fills my heart as I ponder God’s love
    R – Remember always that you are a precious child of God
    E – Each breath and day of life is a precious gift from God
    N – Nothing can ever seperate me from God’s love
    D – Daily may I be God’s instrument of peace
    E – Every moment I will strive to be of service
    R – Righteousness reigns in following God

  2. FEARLESSLY ~ Intention 2013

    F – orgive
    E – everything & everyone
    A – rms open wide.
    R – ejoice!
    L – ive; laugh; love
    E – everyone & everything.
    S – urrender, in order to
    S – savor what is & what comes.
    L – EAP, and if I dare
    Y – owl!!

  3. My word of PEACE :

    PEACE beyond all understanding
    Envelop me
    As I go about my days
    Concerned with too much
    Except with what matters most…

  4. STAND
    Stand, even though you feel
    Timid, and know that you are never
    Alone. You have the support of
    Nature and are held in the arms of the
    Divine.

  5. Ruminate

    Reflection of words and experiences
    Understood, and yet
    Misconstrued by
    Interested adults
    Never
    Allowing or giving
    Time to
    Enter into the fullness of knowledge.

  6. DELIGHT
    This year, may delight fill my life.
    May I see everything as:

    Divine
    Elegant
    Light-filled
    Inspiring
    God-blessed
    Holy
    Twinkling

    Delightful!

    1. I see another Evelyn has written a poem earlier – so I’m adding my last name here on my poem

  7. Relax

    Refresh me each day as I learn to let go
    Exhaling fully so that I breathe, aware
    Laughing as I recognize the joy of presence
    Allow me to know my body better
    Xenial* then to all that is, all who are.

    *hospitable

    1. I feel my body relaxing into your poem’s invitation. Thanks for extending this hospitality to us. :)

  8. Why Did I Get Here?
    (acceptance)

    Awakening to my past, I realize the
    Choices I made
    Can’t fully account for the
    Extraordinary circumstances of this journey.
    Perhaps a more
    Telling aspect is the
    Ability to persist,
    Not just in difficulty, but in sweet oblivion as well.
    Can this be true – that the grace of
    Existence is all that’s required?

  9. Enough

    Every day learn to say
    No to more than you need. Praise the extra
    Ordinary on your most ordinary day.
    Urge yourself to dance on
    Ground already below your feet.
    Hallow yourself, your full heart.

    1. thank you for this lovely poem, Maureen. I am going to post it on my bathroom mirror as I want to see it every day for awhile. Enough truly is enough.

    2. “Urge yourself to dance on ground already below your feet.” I think I shall do so right now. :)