Category: prayer

every day, something

On By Amrita Skye BlaineIn Awakening, awe, body, Breath, children, Daily reminders, feelings, grief, heart, Love, Musings, Non-duality, nonduality, notes from self, pathless path, Poetry, prayer2 Comments

every day, something

I no longer choose
to watch news
but it oozes in
malignant
headline here
car radio there
snippets overheard
while waiting

Taiwan earthquake,
aid workers bombed
child migrant drowned
in the Rio Grande

the choice seems stark
do I stay open
to these assaults
or snap shut
in self-protection?
neither the solution

so I live with the grief
pray
drink the dark
into my heart’s kiln
transmute
grim to love
and float it out

2024 ©Amrita Skye Blaine
I’m writing a poem a day. These are drafts—not final versions.

surprise

On By Amrita Skye BlaineIn awe, body, Daily reminders, emotion, gratitude, grief, Musings, Non-duality, nonduality, notes from self, Poetry, prayer, sufferingLeave a comment

surprise

at the beginning
of the dry season
I wake to steady
rumbling on the roof

lulled, body softens
wants to sink back
into sleep
but Jazz is up
on her feet
cold nose nudging

before rising
I send prayers
for the war torn
and unhoused
how is it my sisters
my brothers
bed down in cold rain
and I have the gift
of husband, warm dog
and snug dwelling?
I am not better
not special
and so grateful

2024 ©Amrita Skye Blaine
I’m writing a poem a day. These are drafts—not final versions.

the call

On By Amrita Skye BlaineIn Awakening, awe, beauty, body, communion, Daily reminders, gratitude, Musings, Non-duality, nonduality, notes from self, Poetry, prayer, wonder, writingLeave a comment

the call

I yield myself and am borrowed —D. H. Lawrence

this, the gift
to give over until
willingly taken
I wait

stars winking
plenitude inside
creation, a joining
thee and me
source and means
a seeming two yet
one in play

a labyrinth
this web of words
shivers rush
my back
the unknown calls

2024 ©Amrita Skye Blaine
I’m writing a poem a day. These are drafts—not final versions.

lightkeeper

On By Amrita Skye BlaineIn Awakening, awe, beauty, Breath, consciousness, Daily reminders, gratitude, grief, heart, light, Musings, nature, Non-duality, nonduality, notes from self, pathless path, Poetry, prayerLeave a comment

lightkeeper

to tend the flame
feed it twigs
then forage boughs,
my homage—
to kindle warmth
in my small sphere

sometimes it sputters
amidst hard rain
I shield it
with my hands
my heart   breathe
embers awake again
this, the work
it calls my name

2024 ©Amrita Skye Blaine
I’m writing a poem a day. These are drafts—not final versions.

steam rising

On By Amrita Skye BlaineIn Awakening, awe, beauty, body, communion, Daily reminders, gratitude, home, Musings, Non-duality, nonduality, notes from self, Poetry, prayer, simple pleasures, spiritualityLeave a comment

steam rising

in the chill,
a full moon
sets as I soak—
rooster calls for dawn

old muscles soften
become the sweep
of prayers
for you, for those
I do not know
but recognize—
regardless of country
color
or similar dreams
for plentiful food
curious children who
question in school,
know harmony at home
and peace spreading

2024 ©Amrita Skye Blaine
I’m writing a poem a day. These are drafts—not final versions.

listening

On By Amrita Skye BlaineIn Awakening, awe, beauty, communion, Daily reminders, feelings, gratitude, heart, kindness, Musings, Non-duality, nonduality, notes from self, pathless path, Poetry, prayer, Silence, spirituality2 Comments

listening

Prayer is what happens when we listen, and wait, beneath words,
for the outline of heaven and earth to emerge. —Wayne Muller

no asking
no thoughts of things
I think I need—
listening
only that

something
takes shape
maybe a kindness
or silhouette
of a poem—
there’s a good chance
the next step
will show up

but what if
it doesn’t?
rest in the silence
and wait

2024 ©Amrita Skye Blaine
I’m writing a poem a day. These are drafts—not final versions.

shelter

On By Amrita Skye BlaineIn Awakening, awe, children, Daily reminders, home, Musings, nature, parenting, Poetry, prayer, questions, sufferingLeave a comment

shelter

the dark March night
rain pelting the roof
and wind gusts whistling
through tiny spaces
shuddering the house

it’s time to snuggle
in the shrine of here
pull the fleece
around my neck
and listen

thought falls away
bands of rain
first hard, demand
then slow to steady
I praise the roof
grateful for its refuge

eyelids lull to heavy
I float my thanks
send out
prayers and questions
are the songbirds
sheltering deep in shrubs
have worms inched
off the pavement
slipped into softened soil

what about the war zones
may parents find safekeeping
shield their children
from the battering

2024 ©Amrita Skye Blaine
I’m writing a poem a day. These are drafts—not final versions.

today

On By Amrita Skye BlaineIn Awakening, awe, beauty, communion, Daily reminders, heart, home, light, Musings, nature, Non-duality, nonduality, notes from self, Poetry, prayer, Silence2 Comments

today

opening the door
I step outside
hear the holy hush
of five a.m. dark
no wind   no birds
earth’s pause

anticipating first light’s
early rustle
I imagine
our resident squirrel
rubbing his eyes
sparrows drawing
their beaks from
beneath wings, blinking
then just beyond trees
dove tinge   the promise

not wanting to hear
a car door close
or the choir
of tires on the road
I slip back
inside

2024 ©Amrita Skye Blaine
I’m writing a poem a day. These are drafts—not final versions.

reminder

On By Amrita Skye BlaineIn Awakening, awe, beauty, Daily reminders, fear, feelings, gratitude, Musings, nature, Non-duality, nonduality, notes from self, Poetry, prayer, suffering, thoughtsLeave a comment

reminder

worry is prayer for what you don’t want —unknown author

wish I’d slipped
this in my pocket
decades ago—
a truth to carry,
rub and smooth
a different kind
of wonder stone

so self-evident
yet it evaded me
all I need to do
is notice
troubled thoughts
and shift away
look for springtime
poppies, cheerful
in the breeze
or iris buds unfurling

then worry flees

2024 ©Amrita Skye Blaine
I’m writing a poem a day. These are drafts—not final versions.