On the day when
the weight deadens
on your shoulders
and you stumble,
may the clay dance
to balance you.
And when your eyes
freeze behind
the grey window
and the ghost of loss
gets in to you,
may a flock of colours,
indigo, red, green,
and azure blue
come to awaken in you
a meadow of delight.
When the canvas frays
in the currach of thought
and a stain of ocean
blackens beneath you,
may there come across the waters
a path of yellow moonlight
to bring you safely home.
May the nourishment of the earth be yours,
may the clarity of light be yours,
may the fluency of the ocean be yours,
may the protection of the ancestors be yours.
And so may a slow
wind work these words
of love around you,
an invisible cloak
to mind your life.
© John O'Donohue. All rights reserved
(from Echoes of Memory)
The Irish poet, priest and philosopher John O'Donohue passed away twelve years ago, but his poetic benediction is perfect for St. Patrick's Day with its notions of homecoming, moonlight, calm waters and comfort. The words are particularly comforting this year, so soon after the passing of my soulmate.
3 comments:
This early morning
I thank you
for sharing these words.
Beautiful, peaceful. Have a good day!
The words are so beautiful and calming... I take them to heart for myself as my mother died 1 year ago on the 21st... And there are still hollow places. Indeed "may the wind work these words of love around you..." Many blessings...
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