BLESSING FOR SOUND
I thank you,
for the smallest sound,
for the way my ears open
even before my eyes,
as if to remember
the way everything began
with an original, vibrant, note,
and I thank you for this
everyday original music,
always being rehearsed
always being played,
always being remembered
as something new
and arriving, a tram line
below in the city street,
gull cries, or a ship’s horn
in the distant harbour,
so that in waking I hear voices
even where there is no voice
and invitations where
there is no invitation
so that I can wake with
you by the ocean, in summer
or in the deepest seemingly
quietest winter,
and be with you
so that I can hear you
even with my eyes closed,
even with my heart closed,
even before I fully wake.
BLESSING FOR THE LIGHT
I thank you, light, again,
for helping me to find
the outline of my daughter’s face,
I thank you light, for the subtle way
your merest touch gives shape
to such things
I could only learn to love
through your delicate instruction,
and I thank you, this morning
waking again,
most intimately and secretly
for your visible invisibility,
the way you make me look
at the face of the world
so that everything, becomes
an eye to everything else
and so that strangely,
I also see myself being seen,
so that I can be born again
in that sight, so that
I can have this one other way
along with every other way,
to know that I am here.
— Opening Poem by David Whyte from The Bell and the Blackbird; chosen by Nancy L.
Use this link below for a fabulous video of David reading his Blessings poem:
The light was so soft this morning. It truly outlined the trees the way the poet described the light allowing him to see the outline of his daughter’s face. I not only noticed the light but recognized that what it illuminated is part of me as I am part of it.
— Photos and reflection by Bonnie L.
— Photos by Sue J.
As inspired by the opening poem, I was drawn to the sounds, light and shadows on this magnificent day.
Shuffling in fallen leaves,
Whispers through the golden trees,
Muted birds calling,
Fountains soothing flow.
I thank you.
Sun through delicate leaves,
Illuminating everything,
Companion shadows,
Seeing myself be seen.
I thank you.
—- Photos and poems by Nancy L.
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