04 June 2016

Merciful Presence: a sonnet

Mist and Dew IMG 8176 by Joseph Lazer.JPG
Source

Like cats, the grass and flowers scramble for
attention—spotting my sneakers with green
and dewing my white socks.  Look at me, they
threaten, or I will tick you off!  I fear
ticks more than damp mornings, so pay tribute
outward, admire the day’s wet webs and toys
and see the birds I hear above the limbs
of trees. Intent on noticing them, I
forget the poems I haven’t finished
and dreams and threats and schemes until
I am enjoying prayer in open air—
pure communion rather than direct address—
and find a presence I could not have guessed:
nature’s refreshment without mind’s duress.



Inspired by Richard Rohr's 

Twelve-Step Spirituality: Week 1 Summary

especially its "Practice: Letting Go and Letting God"
and posted at Poets United Poetry Pantry #305.



Part of the series Oh, Ye of Little Faith*

My blog poems are rough drafts. 
Please respect my copyright.



© 2016 Susan L. Chast


23 comments:

  1. so beautiful...like a peaceful morning meditation...

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  2. Yes, prayer in open air -- what more beautiful place to pray. His presence surrounds!

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  3. "Nature's refreshment without mind's duress." Exactly. Just perfect.

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  4. I think that the open air is the best place to be... Though ticks is a concern for me to... A beautiful sonnet.

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  5. The day's wet webs.. that was such a lovely image!

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  6. The day's wet webs.. that was such a soft image!

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  7. Oh, that's so lovely. And a beautiful kind of prayer, that wordless communion.

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  8. divine purity of thought and expression...faith shines through

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  9. I love the sense of movement and being lost in the moment and the world - really feeling it, absorbing it and enjoying it - a true prayer

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  10. What else but to look to nature to contemplate our place in the world and give thanks in the open air. Nothing more relaxing than that.

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  11. Oh Susan this is blissful....

    'I am enjoying prayer in open air—'

    It is my church and tabernacle this thing we call nature...

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  12. "Nature's refreshment without mind's duress." Sigh.. lovely!
    Beautifully penned.

    Lots of love,
    Sanaa

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  13. I was really taken by the comment of the grass and flowers, and charmed by the speaker's play on words while replying. It's almost as if she's walking around in a trance, too deep in her own feelings to allow the outside stimuli to truly touch her.

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  14. Ah! :) Pure and beautiful, the morning prayer inspired by nature!

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  15. these impressions are as light as the dew and sink in so beautifully - an inspirational sonnet on a most interesting theme

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  16. This is a pretty one...a prayer indeed!

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  17. "Pure communion rather than direct address." I love that. Beautiful imagery.

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  18. Lovely! The close: so powerful and yet, often, so elusive. Also, the form of this piece really adds, I think. You've achieved a compelling cadence and the mid-line "starts" ring so true.

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  19. The poems left unfinished... there is something so poetic in the line! The things left undone, lingering... calling out. Very nice.

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  20. "pure communion rather than direct address—"

    Yes!! certainly the oneness is like that sometimes

    Have a blessed Sunday Susan

    much love...

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  21. Your words remind me of what we used to call 'centering down'. Yes, a prayer and an active meditation,

    Elizabeth

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  22. Susan, this is so beautiful. The mind does get in the way of pure natural enjoyment. But nature, can shut out the mind for us and allow us to see. This is a wonderful meditative piece.

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  23. This makes a fantastic affirmation.

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