In tender camaraderie
within the covers
of body and mind
I declared to him:
My shoulders are
in my heart
No better yet:
My shoulders are
in my womb
To one up me
he said:
Mark off a spot
I’m all shoulder
Solitary now
Calling on God
for insight
and scanning
the night sky
Entranced I see
the birth of galaxies
He shows me
opening upon opening
wheeling within
Brilliant harmony
Majesty
unfathomable
My vision reaps
ecstatic time with
grateful humility
This is home
While living lies
in the light of others
we can only reflect
self-dignifying
self-justifying
But a better way
is a mystery
To mirror what we
cannot know
Who is able
to bear the weight
of losing matter?
Cloaked in pride
eclipsed by certainty
I grasp reason
and forfeit
precious faith
When I surrender
the shadows
I am lifted into
the Light
of pure Love
Photo, Coconino National Forest – Flagstaff (Public Domain)
THE WOUND THAT HEALS 
Why is it that humanity has looked up to the heavens for answers? We belong to the earth and yet know, intuitively, that we are somehow a part of a larger universe. I especially appreciated your words:
“But a better way
is a mystery
To mirror what we
cannot know”
A profound insight that has given me much to think on, Mary Jo. Sending hugs and love along with my gratitude.
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Thank you so much, Rebecca! Sometimes we’re so wrapped up in trying to understand our unhappy circumstances we forget we are part of a larger arc, an unfathomable story. Sending hugs and love and gratitude back your way, my friend 🙂
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…and that takes courage.
My dearest Mary Jo, you give me hope.
Thank you from my heart.
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Dear Marina, you are so very welcome! Hope and courage are contagious…along with hugs!
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They are indeed and an extra thank you with more hugs!
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Mary Jo, heartbreaking, inspiring, achingly beautiful poem about life, death, memory, and more.
Another “Bravado” that’s also wonderful, albeit not as poetic:
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High praise for which I thank you, Dave. Appreciate you sharing the beautiful sentiment in some of those lyrics. We willingly pay the price, but we will not count the cost. Actually a very poetic phrase. 🙂
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You’re very welcome, Mary Jo! Your poems are terrific!
Neil Peart of Rush, while not quite a “poet poet,” was a better/much deeper wordsmith than the vast majority of rock lyricists.
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Witty and engaging
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Thank you for reading and commenting.
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Reflecting on your poem and reading the comments brought to mind the benediction my dad used to end church services with: “The peace of God, which passeth all understanding, keep your hearts and minds in the knowledge and love of God, and of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord; and the blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, be amongst you, and remain with you always.”
These are the lines that brought the benediction to mind:
I grasp reason
and forfeit
precious faith
When I surrender
the shadows
I am lifted into
the Light
of pure Love
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Oh that’s a beautiful benediction, Liz. These words have taken root, and all the light and love they receive from others is like rain and sunshine. Thank you for this affirmation 🙂
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Thank you, Mary Jo! I’m so glad you appreciated it.
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I really like your beautiful blog. A pleasure to come stroll on your pages. A great discovery and a very interesting blog. I will come back to visit you. Do not hesitate to visit my universe. See you soon.
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Thank you…I’ll check it out.
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Love truly does lift! What a wonderful ending to such a great poem, Mary Jo
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Thank you, Christy, for reading and commenting!
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An uplifting yet humbling poem, MaryJo. When we surrender our pride, only then can we be drawn into the mystical, all embracing love and light. I love your title too. 🤗
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Sylvia, thank you so much, for reading and recognizing its intent 🙂 Hugs back!
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Beautiful and inspiring!
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Thank you, Filipa. 🙏🤗
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Thank you, Filipa!
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