Lindisfarne Pilgrim

Here I am

Held in the palm of Your holy place

Fled from the gravity of daily life.

I perch on sun-warmed rock.

Heavy honeyed air is

Stirred by ancient breezes.

Almost beyond hearing

Seals sing Jacob’s mantra

‘Here I am’.

Poised on the promontory of faith

Sun and wind send their might against me.

And I stand, not bowed but exulted.

Fused to this place.

Sun Spirit,

Air Spirit,

Earth Spirit

Glorious Trinity of all You are.

Your breath on me is intoxicating, incisive,

Eroding pretence and artifice.

Leaving me standing bare boned

Before You.

Eyes closed against your crimson gaze.

Daughter to the island,

Sister to those gone before.

Here I am.

Blessed be

wordinthehand2012

Pilgrim Sands

Only a footprint

a passing waymark 

in the pilgrim sands 
leading home

Reclaimed by 

ancient whisperings 

crystals of sand

ocean's tears

Barely footed

under sun and moon
sanctuary revealed

in the turn of the tide 

Safe passage 

in the steps of the wise 
pock-marked staffs
of those gone before

This footprint
the pilgrim's seal
of welcome
to the Holy Isle.

Blessed be


wordinthehand2012

Lindisfarne, the Holy Island, is a tidal island. It can be reached twice a day by the causeway or by walking the pilgrim path - avoiding the quicksand and deep channels by following a series of staffs driven into the sand. At two points there are high platforms to be used as refuges when the tide catches you out.