A Passing Place

I met him at a garden gate
And this is what He said:
All you are is well within,
Trust and tend your land.

The Southern fence is shaded
And its gate leads to the woods;
Fear it not, but stay within-
You’ve roamed before its darkened hoods;

This lantern’s yours, now you can see;
That’s where you’ll cast your light
For travelers on a journey
Who you’ll recognize by heart.

Let them in, and feed them;
Listen, give them rest;
Remind them of the Life to Be,
Give hope, and see them blessed.

The Northern gate’s your playground
Thriving in my love,
With lilies, larks, and daffodils
A sparkling stream, and one white dove;

The dove is for your freedom,
The stream is for your rest,
The larks will greet the morning,
The flowers, sight will bless.

All this is yours,
It always was,
You simply couldn’t see
That to enjoy its blessings,
You had to come to me.

There’s much, you see
That needs repaired,
An overwhelming task-
So here’s my key, still look to me;
I’ll be here when you ask.

This Garden is a passing place
I gave to you at birth,
When you were named the keeper
Of this modest piece of Earth.
In it still hide treasures
You have yet to find,
Waiting, just like this gift now,
For the appropriate time;
Some for you, and some for those
Who journey through these gates
That only swing from South to North
Or South to South again.

Not all will find their pleasure here,
Many come with pain;
And some will not endure to pass
Into that Northern Plane.

It’s not your task to see them through;
It’s yours to let them in – though
Only those you recognize by
The love you hold within;
Your heart will tell you
Yes or no – if only at a glance -
And preparing you will go
As hesitantly they advance.

Never stop them as they go -
Just tend them with My Love,
And you will see
What’s meant to be:
God’s grace within and high above.

Worry not your tender heart
For those you cannot ‘save’-
That’s my job: I’ll see them through,
For I have many ways.

Sing with Joy,
Play in the dirt,
Let life grow, and dream;
There’s nothing 
More that you must do;
I simply ask
You Be.

© AMNR 2010.

Photography notes:  The photo was taken as the sun set over the Carmelite cemetery in Oldenburg, Indiana.  The Carmelite sisters who formerly lived in Indianapolis now reside in shared community with Franciscan sisters of Oldenburg.  Wandering the grounds, one can feel the power of their sacred prayer as together they tend and bless this land….

Poetry notes:  I wrote this poem while on private retreat at the Oldenburg Franciscan Center last year.  After a day of wandering, knitting, reading, and just ‘being’ in the quiet, I sat alone at a kitchen table in a dapple of sunlight coming in through the window, and these words just came…  From where is always the mysterious question of the poet.  Gratitude is always the response.

Peace & abundant blessings to all, as you tend your own ‘passing places.’ ♥