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.
199 Responses
May our world, in compassion and grace, CREATE opportunities to heal through Divine inspiration and creative expression during 2013.
Crinkle awake divine spirit
Ready to reflect and reveal
Enough…we are enough.
Allowing Divine love
To illuminate
Everything…everyone…every being.
Blessings 2013
What a lovely blessing. “Crinkle awake” ~ I can hear it…feel it.
It’s taken me most of the month to decide on my word – but for me, the key to everything seems to be HERE – as in be HERE, NOW…
Heaven is all around me, in every moment
Even in the hard times, there is always a lesson
Right here, right now, if I pay attention
Easy to say, but hard to live – Lord, give me strength!
May strength be yours as you long to live here.
My “word” for the year is Be Not Afraid. So hear is my poem.
The Sacrament of Interruption
My fear
is not of pain or death
but of inconvenience
interruption
I understand why the angels cry
“BE NOT AFRAID”
when they appear on earth
we who see them
will have to stop what we are doing
what we have planned
but we will meet God
I need a gaurdian angel
to whisper
“be not afriad”
when a cowoker needs to talk
or the baby wants to cuddle
an angel to remind me
“you need to stop your work and worry
and find the one thing necessary”
I need that whisper again and again, too.
beauty
between
everything
agape
unfolding
time
yields
Beautiful, indeed.
My word is Silence
What is the sound of silence?
That echoes in my soul
Is it a place that I’ve gone whence?
To seek some paltry recompense
and oft evasive goal
What is the sound of silence?
Perhaps a prayer of penitence
lest I acrue some ancient toll
Is it a place that I’ve gone whence?
That garners pure obedience
and seeks completion to a whole
What is the sound of silence?
Mayhaps a prayer of reticence
uncertainty directs the role
Is it a place that I’ve gone whence?
And yet a challenge given hence
solemnity it’s heights extoll
What is the sound of silence?
Is it a place that I’ve gone whence?
Yes, what is the sound of silence?
Discernment
Dearest Heart
In search of Your
Simple truths
Calling me
Enter again, Beloved.
Regaining my purpose
Noticing distractions
Mindful thoughts
Evolve into peace
Now is all there is
Truly, My Dear Heart
What a loving, embracing painting of discernment
Thank you for your expression. It touched me as if I had written it myself.
Reveal
Lord
Shine
Your
Abundant
Love Light
Everyday
On my
Path
Of Life……
Luminous!
RELEASE
Relinquishing that which no longer brings life
Emptying out the stuffed coffers of ‘shoulds’ and ‘oughts’
Letting go of the good in favour of the truly authentic
Exiting graciously, gently, no need to hurry
Allowing attachment to unhook itself deep within
Savouring this time and the space it gives me
Entering a newly expansive place of inner freedom as I continue this journey of transformation with my God.
Such gentleness in this poem, Sheila.
TRUST
Time floods me with choices about this, THAT, now, WHEN?!
Reminders surround me, reminders I have constructed: what is now, in this moment?
Urging me to stop, breathe, call to God — thank you, help me —
Surrender is a choice, but sometimes feels like giving up, giving in, confusion.
Trust is opening my heart to God, to the deep yearning of union, letting go of thoughts, letting God embrace me, guide me in God’s way.
This poem a gift to me in this very moment.
I-Eye
Infinite Sun-Son rise
Embracing Love-Light
Yes
Empowerment
Yes!