Poetry, faith and the human experience

A couple of poetry books I've been reading and can recommend; the first is an anthology of sacred poetry from world faiths and the second is a translation of poems written by the Buddhist monk, Stonehouse. 

The Longing in Between, a Poetry Chaikhana anthology - 

Sacred poetry from around the world edited with commentary by Ivan M. Granger

The Mountain Poems of Stonehouse -

translation and commentary by Red Pine

                                                       (Glastonbury Tor, Somerset) 

I am human and I am here

The other day I heard someone say their faith described everyone as broken. What a terrible burden of worthlessness to be laid on every shoulder. And I felt moved at the thought of this to try and find an understanding of what we are.

What  am I?

I am a part of everything, everything is interconnected and I house a great sense of belonging to all things and being of all things. So I am reminded at all times of how we are all here, together, here and now on this planet and while all things pass, nothing is ever lost. It is simply part of the ebb and flow of the universe pouring through all of us, this precious gift of life. 

And with this gift we have a way to find hope, nurture love, practise kindness and keep the divine in our hearts as best we can. We are not broken. We are human. Don't waste time waiting for a miracle, be the miracle that your life is.

St Margaret's Chapel

There is a stillness in the air

Feather gently floating

A warmth of rose and lavender

Wrapped up in this scent

A candle, now lit, reaching out

A light to lift eyes and spirit

To the sky ringing above the bell

And gladness fills the heart

Hope is now a chalice full

Of quiet angels

A Moment of Grace

Life's just a drop in the ocean
A single drumbeat in the wind's restless song
A spark lost in the sun's maelstrom
A moment of grace between the cradle and grave