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Monk in the World Guest Post: Arlene Davies-Fuhr

I am delighted to share another beautiful submission to our Monk in the World guest post series from the community. Read on for Arlene Davies-Fuhr’s reflection and poem “Some Days.”

My poem, “Some Days” was recently composed during Forest Church.  The surroundings reached out to me and asked me to ponder what type of day I was having.  A Robin one?  Or a bug under the stone experience?  I felt called  to embrace it all, no matter what, because the variety in life is stunningly beautiful.  And I know my Creator and Sustainer is ever-present with me. 

Some Days
Some days I am soft, green grass
co-existing with dandelions and clover.
Other days, I am rock.  Tough and flinty.
Formed by aeons of skin and bone.
Blood and preferences of ancestors
course through me as I move and
meditate and observe the clouds.

Some days, I am robin flying free
or wildly bathing.  Singing joyously
for all to hear. 
Other days, I am bug beneath the stone
revelling in the dark and coolness 
alone and happy.
Sun or shade, excitement or frustration,
I embrace it all.

Thank you Loving, Supportive Creator,
for life’s diversity and balance.
What a privilege to breathe,
walk, and write today.

Arlene Davies-Fuhr is a contemplative who appreciates time in nature during Forest Church and also practices daily mindful meditation.  She is part of a United Church congregation in Guelph , Ontario and she has produced a book of contemporary prayer-poems loosely based on thirty psalms.  As well as reading and gardening, Arlene loves playing the djembe, the dulcimer and the ukulele. 

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