02 June 2016

Step Four: Taking Stock*


A



I see myself, but not in a mirror nor through
a looking glass. Easier in water 
I try and fail to walk upon, 
its ripples ringing out
from where I fall.
Ah! There!
I need only
follow the spirals in
to their source where illusions break
apart for me to see myself, where God’s
witnesses take my hands, again, to help me stand.



Ω



Posting a poem from two years ago, part of a series 
on the 12-Step Program of AA 

Poets United Poetry Pantry #417


*Inspired by morning meditation with Fr. Richard Rohr: Step Four
Part of my series of poems called Oh, Ye of Little Faith*




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





© 2016 Susan L. Chast




18 comments:

  1. I love those helping hands at the end.

    ReplyDelete
  2. To believe that you can stand again is perhaps the most significant thing for survival. It's almost spiritual to fall down for that cleansing and finding the true nature of self where illusions end. Such a heartfelt and thoughtful write, Susan. It's comforting in a way.
    -HA

    ReplyDelete
  3. I love the certainty of your words

    ReplyDelete
  4. I am struck again by the hands of God's witnesses, helping you stand. How wonderful.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Yes, when we cannot stand on our own, it is wonderful when we can depend on help from others.

    ReplyDelete
  6. I like the positive closure of your poem.

    ReplyDelete
  7. This is incredibly exquisite, Susan!💞 I love the abundance of wisdom that this poem offers to the reader and am in utter awe of how eloquently you explain how strength to endure and get back on our feet lies deep within us. A poem to hold close and grow into!💞

    ReplyDelete
  8. Oh I do like God's witnesses (or saints?) helping you to stand. Excellent.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Not through reflection but through inner contemplation. This is trulu profound Susan

    Happy you dropped by my blog today

    Much🌻love

    ReplyDelete
  10. A well rendered and spiritually uplifting piece.

    ReplyDelete
  11. In my head, I can see those hands... strong and steady, stretching towards the speaker, holding on and nudging forward. This is lovely, Susan. Like Wendy said, very uplifting.

    ReplyDelete
  12. I love how the words in this form reflect the reality of life and trust in God and perhaps that message spirals down to you. You exclaim: "Ah! There" and it spirals out again...hopefully touching others too.

    ReplyDelete
  13. the place where illusions break... yes I definitely want to find that place...even if it means walking on water..thanks for this Susan.

    ReplyDelete
  14. So much of the Fourth Step is taking that finger we point at the world in accusation, then turning it slowly around to account our part of the the damage. That is truly walking on water for one so habited at failing to change or grow up. Our fear of accepting that we are at fault is truly tricky abyss, but thanks indeed for the witnesses who have been there, done the same, and reconciled. And grace is the serenity of waters finally stilled, so much so that we can commence walking! Now I'm curious to see how you sang along on the other steps.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Thank you all! The link to the entire series is above in the post.

    ReplyDelete
  16. I like that you see yourself in water, I think it must be very symbolic? Water the life giving source.

    ReplyDelete
  17. i like the form of the poem, it does look like a ripple beginning from the middle of the poem.
    i guess we certainly need those helping hands.

    ReplyDelete

Thank you for visiting my blog!