This piece of writing is from “Benedictus: a book of blessings”, by John O’Donohue (see Amazon widget on the right). John is a most beautiful Irish poet and philisopher who died a couple of years ago at the young age of 49. I often listen to recordings of John’s talks while I am making mosaics- they are an inspiration for anyone who is a creative seeker and lover of life. Enjoy.
For the Artist at the Start of the Day
May morning be astir with the harvest of night;
Your mind quickening to the eros of a new question,
Your eyes seduced by some unintended glimpse
That cut right through the surface to a source.
Your mind quickening to the eros of a new question,
Your eyes seduced by some unintended glimpse
That cut right through the surface to a source.
May this be a morning of innocent beginning,
When the gift within you slips clear
Of the sticky web of the personal
With its hurt and its hauntings,
And fixed fortress corners,
When the gift within you slips clear
Of the sticky web of the personal
With its hurt and its hauntings,
And fixed fortress corners,
A Morning when you become a pure vessel
For what wants to ascend from silence,
For what wants to ascend from silence,
May your imagination know
The grace of perfect danger,
The grace of perfect danger,
To reach beyond imitation,
And the wheel of repetition,
And the wheel of repetition,
Deep into the call of all
The unfinished and unsolved
The unfinished and unsolved
Until the veil of the unknown yields
And something original begins
To stir toward your senses
And grow stronger in your heart
And something original begins
To stir toward your senses
And grow stronger in your heart
In order to come to birth
In a clean line of form,
That claims from time
A rhythm not yet heard,
That calls space to
A different shape.
In a clean line of form,
That claims from time
A rhythm not yet heard,
That calls space to
A different shape.
May it be its own force field
And dwell uniquely
Between the heart and the light
And dwell uniquely
Between the heart and the light
To surprise the hungry eye
By how deftly it fits
About its secret loss.
By how deftly it fits
About its secret loss.
© John O’Donohue. All rights reserved. For more about John’s work visit www.johnodonohue.com
love thisx lynda
this is beautiful concetta! Such a lovely, lovely day to wake up to and be artistic in.
Hope your run went well.
Amelia.x
It is so great to see how John’s work continues to weave “words of love . . . an invisible cloak, to mind your life.” I want to support you in sharing that inspiration and love; and I am also responsible for minding the technicalities connected with the preservation of John’s estate and literary legacy.
John’s family would be very grateful if you would add to your quote a note that gives the title of the book from which the poem is quoted, as well as the copyright attribution ( © John O’Donohue. All rights reserved). It would also be great if you could provide a link to the web site: http://www.johnodonohue.com — so that those who want to know more about John can come to us!
warmly and with gratitude,
Lindaa
Dear Lindaa, of course, it is done! Book was quoted at the top and also linked to the right in my amazon recommendations. I do miss his work and words- love to all his friends and family. Thank you for visiting.