L.L. Barkat, a writer (read that book!) and blogger has been encouraging other bloggers to try their hand at poetry. I finally did, after months of putting it off in something like, "That's not something I do, a completely new venture for me."
This simple poem I typed out on this post in the comments. Notice L.L.'s comments in relation to this in our exchange, as well. And actually this post on her blog probably pushed me over the edge, to finally try it. The poem reflects on my experience of the silent retreat Deb and I were part of last Saturday.
Silence.
Stark.
Naked before God.
Hidden before man.
Mute and blind.
Trying to hear.
"Accept My love."
But why this?
Trust Me.
Yes, I know I must trust you, God.
Weeping over hymns.
Praying.
Trudging along.
Reading some Merton.
The end of silence.
Anointing with oil and prayer.
Holy communion.
Silence ended.
Bursting forth,
I overflow with words.
But I'm not the same.
20 comments:
Never the same. Even when we don't think we have changed we have.
ted....
i am smiling in my heart.
i don't know why, but i am.
thank you so much for posting this because i missed it in your comments. i love reading this poem. i read it over, three times. i can realate to the words and feelings.
honestly, poetry is an "under the radar" kind of thing, i think.
it speaks to people in a gentle way that reaches deep.
also, i think, that it does this for the writer as well. it gives the writer a gift of processing thoughts and perhaps an opportunity for the writer to hear God speak as well.
i would like to encourage you to continue to write this way. simply, yes, simple is good.
God's bless you.
n
Yippee!!
I mean, I´m so pleased. You liberated these sweet words from the comment box.
More soon, please. :)
Great poem my freind, what a taent you have. Thanks for popping by my blog and helping with the funny comments, I am back now after a short break.
Cheers mate!
Interesting - and good for you that you put it up on your blog! I don't write poetry for sure! At least not any more. I think I wrote a bit about 30 years or more ago. I think you did well!
thanks for sharing this, ted.
it's been a long time...
i hope you and the family are doing well.
bless you,
km
Lanny,
Yes. I didn't see that at the time I was "bursting forth." but indeed, tis' true.
nAncY,
Thanks. I think I see what you say. I most certainly see it in your own poems. Thanks for the encouraging words.
L.L.,
Thanks. I have a lump in my throat. What else can I say but thanks, again.
Martin,
Yes, very good to see you back! It was fun ransacking your blog while you were gone, but even much more fun, now that you're back!
Thanks!
KM,
Yes, it has been quite awhile. Hope you're doing very well, as well, sister!
Thanks.
Susan,
Why don't you dig those poems out, and give it a try, as well? I'll bet you could, and well! :)
Thanks! Well, I guess I can give it another try. But I need to read up some on poetry. Though with L.L. and naNcY, we have some good places for me to go.
Very good post on the Christian faith and how an encounter with God can lead one to change the direction and focus of life.
I have a blog at www.scottrdavis.blogspot.com
enjoy@@@
scott
Scott,
Thanks, and thanks so much for visiting and commeting.
Your blogs look good. I have found blogging helpful on some level. But all of us into words are that way, aren't we!
Thanks--you really seem to capture what you are feeling--Poetry has a vibrant way of touching others.
Nannykim,
Yes, the experience was fresh on my mind at the time. I don't know if I can really duplicate it elsewhere, but it does seem to touch chords, because our human experience is kind of like a poem or song.
Thanks.
I think my poems are like this most often, random truths that leak out . They usually don't have form or rhyme, but a rhythm of heart and mind .
It is good to acknowledge how a shift or wave can flow to others, or sometimes back to you when read later.
Thanks for visiting and for your comment, deb.
Yes, I guess if I keep writing poems, and I will try, though it just doesn't seem natural to me, yet- but my poet writing will be something like what I did. But that's just a guess. Creativity like that just kind of spills out of you, but I'm sure surely influenced by what I've read from others, as well.
But I like your point about how it flows out to others, than to oneself again. And a rhythm of heart and mind. Subtle, therefore sometimes coming across powerfully- and true.
I love this. Especially about being hidden before man. That speaks directly to some things going on with me right now.
Thanks, Desert Pilgrim.
Yes, God is always at work in us all, and the hidden before man aspect is part of God's working, as well as an expression at times, in my case, of our old fallenness, I'm afraid (and I know)- that sense of alienation and fear. But God needs to get us apart at times, solely to himself. At least I speak from my own thoughts on that phrase.
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