Embrace
dare we meet
the deepest portal to consciousness,
beyond reach of any thought
letting
nameless spaces between us
grace and death
are indistinguishable
our inner i awakes
to life
without title
***
Intimations of the fall cutting grass one summer day
i hear the softly wheedling wind’s smiling sigh upon my ear:
“hush and be at peace because I love you”
and even the trees, with shimmering glee,
nod and bow approvingly
“we do agree! we do agree!’
but on a limb alights the crow…
gliding blot of approaching night – crying:
“bend your ear low! bend your ear low!
hear the silent sobbing of the grass
just sheared.”
yet light upon a flimsy broken blade, a butterfly fans her wings –
bright yellow, speckled with blood –
like offering hands:
“behold this beauty –never seen by me – ‘tis made for thee.”
but again that harking crow
gliding blot of approaching night cries
“bend your ear low! bend your ear low!”
whence comes the plaintive chant of grey-brown crickets –
always heard, always hidden –
“you are somewhat like us!
you are somewhat like us!
you are somewhat like us!”
thus these things do speak to me
of grace
and beauty in this world
because we need not be
Maryknoll, Glen Ellyn 1962
Redux 2017
© 2017 James Donnelly, DSW.LCSW
All rights reserved
South Garden Press, New York
For thoughts and comments, please e mail to: jdonnellydsw@gmail.com