I, who live by words, am wordless when
Madeleine L’Engle, “Words”
I try my words in prayer. All language turns
To silence. Prayer will take my words and then
Reveal their emptiness. The stilled voice learns
To hold its peace, to listen with the heart
To silence that is joy, is adoration.
The self is shattered, all words torn apart
In this strange patterned time of contemplation
That, in time, breaks time, breaks words, breaks me,
And then, in silence, leaves me healed and mended.
I leave, returned to language, for I see
Through words, even when all words are ended.
I, who live by words, am wordless when
I turn me to the Word to pray. Amen.
Those prayers of my youth for help have evolved over time to become more about gratitude, listening and staying present. I like that. Prayer has become much more than the words I say and more about the words I hear, yet are unheard. I like that. I can also say the same thing with my journaling, blogging and my photography. Each is becoming what it is meant to be. I like that. My friend shared this poem with me. I found it to resonate with me so I wanted to share it with you. This is last night’s sunset along Overland Trail. Directly behind me is a pond with a wonderful chorus of croaking frogs. I like that. Moments like this have become prayer to me, no need for my words. Well, maybe “Thanks.”
4 Comments
Earl
I’m cautious commenting on anything religious, and that’s most often the box prayer is placed in. My concept of prayer has changed a great deal over the years, perhaps in much of the same way as yours has, Monte. I do think organized religion is often too narrow in its definition and understanding of prayer, but then I’m not their biggest fan over a wide range of subjects. 😏
Another peaceful and beautiful photo Monte. I always get a sense of peace and purpose with your photography. Call it what you will.
Monte Stevens
I feel at times I’m taking a risk at offending some readers because I do touch along the edge of religious tones. I therefore am also cautious while at the same time I need to express what my life experiences are, even if I offend. For me the concepts, the boxes, that I was given of prayer, God, and many others, I’ve had to tear apart and toss away so I could experience them for what they are for me. Just believing in someone else’s concepts is not enough for me. I feel we all need to call into question what we are handed. I must experience this God of my understanding and experience/practice my own form of prayer. You and I are not unique in our feelings in this stage of our life. This would be another conversation over coffee. I so enjoy your comments and participation here!! Thank you!
And, now that you mention it my images do seem to evoke a sense of peace and purpose. Enjoy your day!!!
Geri Oster
Monte, I have to agree with Earl about your photography. It is the peace and the joy I find in your images capturing the Creation we are so privileged to enjoy that draws me back again and again. They are prayer to me. I have been so fortunate to live the past 39 years in this beautiful valley at the foot of the Wind River Mts. where I have been blessed to learn the stillness and quiet of prayer in just being with The Spirit in It’s Creation. Your photography, the quotes and personal poems that you share, and your own musings are all beautiful prayer to me that I can just sit with here in my lazygirl and feel the presence of that which is greater than myself. Thank you and blessings all.
Monte Stevens
Knowing that others can see my images as prayer is quite the comment. Thank you! I’m aware there are many who have no idea what we mean when we say the stillness and quiet of prayer, being in nature, in the presence of the Spirit of Creation. And, blessings to you, my friend!!!