Wild Woman started out fleeing
from churches with walls,
adrift in the world,
without rudder or ballast,
horizon or shore,
was buffeted about,
charted a course she hoped
would improve the journey,
encountered storm, damage,
death, betrayal,
abandonment and shipwreck,
had absolutely everything stripped away,
emerging onshore clad only in her skin,
began again,
and repeated this pattern
several times over.
Somewhere through the course
of these misadventures,
she fell deeply in love with life,
with the natural world,
and one or two million
of its non-human creatures,
and gradually discovered
she had become an
unexpected ecclesiastic
in the Church of Mother Earth.
Posted for Shay's challenge on Fireblossom Friday over at Real Toads: to select words from her list to create a title, then write a poem to it. Of course one of the hardest words popped out at me, so I had no choice but to figure it out! This was a way-cool prompt. Cant wait to rush over and see what other poets have done with it.
This is the story of so many a soul and the greatest church is Nature.
ReplyDeleteThe only church I'm willing to belong to, Sherry. Quite a coincidence on the title! I never read other people's first either, obviously. ;_)
ReplyDeleteThat's the true way, I think, layer's pull back one at a time til we get to the core.
ReplyDeleteMarvelous, Sherry!
ReplyDeleteLove the title, Sherry! Sometimes the best way to appreciate the greatness of life is outside of walls!
ReplyDeleteWhat an incredible journey:
ReplyDeletehad absolutely everything stripped away,
emerging onshore clad only in her skin,
began again
To progress from this to being an unexpected ecclesiastic
in the Church of Mother Earth is nothing short of inspiring.
Well I think you wrote a way cool poem. Sounds quite autobiographical. I think the church she found is one of freedom, the best kind.
ReplyDeleteIn creation is a very good place to worship... in deed an adventure you have taken us on.
ReplyDeleteOh, you make these games of word wrestlers look so easy. Challenge? For you I think not, simply a hop, skip, and a jump.
ReplyDeletethis whole earth is a church and we the praying souls
ReplyDeleteI love this, Sherry. I read it earlier and thought I had left a comment, but I guess I didn't.
ReplyDeleteYou, of course, are an acolyte to the unexpected ecclesiastic, if not the U.E. herself. I can't decide which.
Beautiful poem.
Love, K
Your church without walls is the best! Loved your journey to find it. ♥
ReplyDeleteWonderfully done.
ReplyDeleteLOVE the picture!!! I've been feeling a little 'wild' myself - can relate to this.
ReplyDeleteG.O.D. = great out dooors
ReplyDeleteYour image choice and words are such a treasure, Sherry. This speaks directly to my heart. Thank you. ♥
ReplyDeleteThe church of Mother Earth ~~ you ARE Wild Woman!
ReplyDeleteI am a devout member of this congregation!
ReplyDeleteI love it :D
this seems so right to me. Through lessons learned....the teacher says, "I'm not teaching, what I am teaching." Sounds to me, you have learned your lessons well.xoxoxoxo
ReplyDeleteBeautiful...it is, probably the best church I 've seen so far! And we must return thanks to our mother earth, that sustains us. I am part of your group, Sherry! Brilliant...you never cease to amaze me!! :)
ReplyDeleteLovely Sherry! What better "church" could there be than nature.
ReplyDeleteLove it Sherry...Nature is certainly the best place of worship
ReplyDeleteTakes a wile to find our niche and realize the void is better filled with things that will always appreciate our love. Super good Sherry, always love your outlook!
ReplyDeleteYeah, you're an "inner church" or "natural church" kind of gal, aren't you? (and you don't fool anybody by writing in the 3rd person. We know it's you.)
ReplyDelete