(Wendy Cabell, January 24, 2021, feast day of Our Lady of Damascus, Our Lady of Tears, Blessed Xenia of St Petersburg (above), Saint Xenia of Rome, Saint Francis de Sales, and Saint Paula Gambara Costa. Image from here.)
Threadbare
(after William Stafford, rural Oregon, post covid)
Threadbare is best. A few
tugs to weave together what I can
carry. Which isn't much anymore, so
I'll keep the cats, dogs, pet rocks.
The shifting tones of sky. And
tones of voice melodic. And birds
at window, just outside. And rain
upon the roof. And I'll tuck them
into my suitcase, to unravel. To
follow now, as breadcrumbs,
to Home.
*From prompt: Listen to William Stafford's "The Golden Thread", and picture a spiral thread in own life, holds notecards of memories, gather only some most want to keep. From Tobias Wray's Poetry as Meditation class (via Monastery of Saint Gertrude, Cottonwood, Idaho). January 24, 2021.)
Reminds me of a poem I wrote:
ReplyDeleteThe Golden String
I give you the end of a golden string
Only wind it into a ball.
It will lead you in at Heaven’s Gate
Built in Jerusalem’s wall.
-William Blake
Here is a bead.
Tie it to the end of the golden string
and gently reel in the world.
Any bead will do
but only your hand.
That’s why it was placed so near to you.
If you get lost,
start at the end;
work backwards.
Be un-industrious.
The string rolls up
with or without your effort.
Finally, dear one, remember:
Once the bead is on the string,
please don’t let go.
Dan, I love this! So much so I'd love to post it here, you could be the first "guest poet" if willing. What do you think : ) ?
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Wendy