Faith of a Child

My New Poetic Challenge I host - please join in!  Artistic Interpretations

Faith of a Child

Sanctuary is the smell of lilies, incense
lifting me bodily into ornate ivory,
intricate Stations of the Cross -
a guilty pleasure as a child,
(and sometimes, I admit, to this day)
diversion from homily, from prayer -

Myself in each scene: sitting beside Mary, my hand
touching Jesus' linens, John's compassion evident
in his tears, thankful for carved alabaster (no blood-red).

Perhaps I'm wrong.  Perhaps it was an intimacy,
a vision, a message to ponder,
a conversation between God and me -
a seed nourishing the narrow path,
providing safe harbor when life strikes,
threatens to rock the boat, rip my sails -

Pray my vision's a bit cunning; no need to see Jesus
walk on water.  Trust in the power of the parables
and lilies placed in a vase, reminding me

of childlike wonder residing in my breast.

by Margaret Bednar, April 8, 2020

I invite you to listen to me read my poem:  



This is linked with my NEW CHALLENGE I HOST:  "Artistic Interpretations #3 Moonlight Sailing"  All are welcome.

Also linked with "Poets and Storytellers United - Weekly Scribblings #14 - Let's use Pathetic Fallacy, shall we?"  I used it really just in the first stanza... I think.  Hope this qualifies to link to the challenge.

Also linked with Sky Lover Poetry's word list  #skyloverwordlist (Instagram) for the month of April.  I used about 12 words. 

Transfixed

Transfixed

From my porch, I witness lambent moon
raised as an offering above mountain's western edge,
a beacon of radiance, a whisper of prayer.

Turn, simultaneously see crowning sun
spill hues over mountain's eastern edge,
promising a day glorious, fulfilled.

Can't help but think "Alpha and Omega...",
of a time when "night will be no more,
nor will they need light from lamp or sun..."

Wonder at the meaning of eternity, truth,
redemption, restoration.  Of Creation, Revelation.
A new day, an end to another with me in the middle;

a moment, transfixed.

by Margaret Bednar, December 12, 2019

This is linked with the challenge from "Poets United - Midweek Motif - A/The Moment"

We moved into our home this past March... and I've never witnessed the simultaneous setting of the moon and rising of the sun until this morning.  Snapped the photo just about 7:00 am and KNEW what I was writing about today.  Seriously lucky enough to see the one from my back deck, the other from my front porch... OR if I stand in the middle of my living room as we have huge windows facing both directions.  It truly is like a cathedral - it's what sold me on this house.  In the poem I take creative license and shorten it to the porch.