Often a client will choose to include a poem in the ceremony they create especially if they’ve invited friends or family to take part. There’s something about reading a poem aloud that draws a group of people together.
Poems call out and invite you to slow down and listen. And we do.
The brevity of a poem helps you pay attention. There is importance in each and every word. Focusing on the rhythm and the sounds of the words enables the images to spring to life.
Reading a poem can be like a ceremony of words as it draws you into a state of inner quiet and keen awareness.
Find a comfortable chair, make a cup of tea and enjoy this poem by Mary Oliver entitled, “Messenger”.
I encourage my clients to look for the special moments in their ceremony. I hope you notice some special moments as you read this poem.
‘Messenger’ by Mary Oliver Click to listen to the audio!
Messenger
My work is loving the world.
Here the sunflowers, there the hummingbird —
equal seekers of sweetness.
Here the quickening yeast; there the blue plums.
Here the clam deep in the speckled sand.
Are my boots old? Is my coat torn?
Am I no longer young, and still not half-perfect? Let me
keep my mind on what matters,
which is my work,
which is mostly standing still and learning to be
astonished.
The phoebe, the delphinium.
The sheep in the pasture, and the pasture.
Which is mostly rejoicing, since all ingredients are here,
which is gratitude, to be given a mind and a heart
and these body-clothes,
a mouth with which to give shouts of joy
to the moth and the wren, to the sleepy dug-up clam,
telling them all, over and over, how it is
that we live forever.
~ Mary Oliver ~
4 Comments
Jovanna, thank you for the reminder to create a retreat for myself. It’s much needed and so I’m going to make some of my fav tea and curl up with a good book tonight with my dog beside me. I can picture it now. Ahhhhhhh. You were my gift today! <3
I’m so happy to be your inspiration today, Barb. Enjoy!
I love the poetry!
Here is one I wrote – enjoy!
The Library
Walk the stacks
skim the shelves
search for tales
known so well
what you read
is up to you
will you choose
as lovers do?
thoughts will write
the tale of us
pick the words
heart, heat and lust
within the spines
the new, the old
ancient whispers
lives retold
within one’s power
to keep on reading
or sigh
decide that it was fleeting
I pause and draw a volume down
the cover set with jeweled crowns
a million stars
a moonlit night
my lover’s lips within my sight
I turn the page and laugh
pick up a pen and graph
trajectory of these two hearts
pages ripping, stops and starts
the rest will be of our own making
what blaze of glory, what fate creating
what task, what faith, to love and wait
the writing of our story, great.
Kimberly, This is such a BEAUTIFUL poem. I’m about to make a cup of tea to create a simple ceremony to really take it in.
Lots of love, Jovanna