Friday, February 20, 2009

For a New Beginning

Here is a poem that someone referred to in a group I belong to. I am not familiar with the work of John O'Donohue...but I googled him and found that he was an Irish Poet...former priest....linked with Celtic mysticism... A little younger than myself, died last year..... Anyhow, enough to know he might not be "at my board table"...haha...but at the same time, somewhat of a kindred spirit. Somehow...this poem For a New Beginning resonates with me on several levels. It is really quite beautiful. (He tends to write poetic blessings.)

For a New Beginning

In out-of-the-way places of the heart,
Where your thoughts never think to wander,
This beginning has been quietly forming,
Waiting until you were ready to emerge.

For a long time it has watched your desire,
Feeling the emptiness growing inside you,
Noticing how you willed yourself on,
Still unable to leave what you had outgrown.

It watched you play with the seduction of safety
And the gray promises that sameness whispered,
Heard the waves of turmoil rise and relent,
Wondered would you always live like this.

Then the delight, when your courage kindled,
And out you stepped onto new ground,
Your eyes young again with energy and dream,
A path of plenitude opening before you.

Though your destination is not yet clear
You can trust the promise of this opening;
Unfurl yourself into the grace of beginning
That is at one with your life's desire.

Awaken your spirit to adventure;
Hold nothing back, learn to find ease in risk;
Soon you will be home in a new rhythm,
For your soul senses the world that awaits you.

~ John O'Donohue

1 comment:

mamazee said...

That one resonated with me, too... I've been there a few times.
Not my favourite place to be - i always think what i really want is a warm, lethargic life, but being pushed out of that into something new and living is always filled with joy as well as apprehension.