Blessing of the Willow

Blessing of the Willow 

I have gathered my prayers

Rich sans script text on cotton rag

Bound in tooled Italian calfskin

Attributed, acknowledged, abridged

But not what I wanted to pray.

I have gathered my prayers

Iconic imagery in detailed stone,

Paint on canvas, hand carved wood.

Visualised, tactile, idealised

Yet not what I wanted to pray.

I have gathered my prayers

Exotic incenses, fragrant candles,

Oriental oils and balms

Perfumed, aromatic, miasmic

Still not what I wanted to pray.

I stood at the window

Dumbstruck, tongue-tied

Full of unspeakable words

And I saw her in the garden

Praying.

Complete in herself

Firmly planted in the earth that

Gave her life.

Arms raised to the light of Heaven.

Bare faced against the elements.

I watched as her heart called out

To the God who made her

In joyful thanks

For her place in the Pattern

For her chord in the Song.

I felt the Spirit bless her

Loving fingers through her hair

Along the length of her body

Whispering Creation’s secrets

Sharing in the Word of Life.

Then I went into the garden

Words pouring from heart and mind

A true call from self, from longing

I spread my arms beside the willow tree

And joined her in her prayer.

wordinthehand2012