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Saturday, September 29, 2018

An Imperfect Offering



Light the incense.
As the smokey vapours rise,
may they carry all our prayers
into the otherworld.
Let the hundred candles shine,
illuminating and banishing
our dark night,
in this early morning 
transitory light.
Scatter the petals of aging blooms,
making a carpet on which to kneel,
and pray the prayer
you feel.

When you are ready,
sound the bell
one clear and solitary ring.
As our chants begin,
we meditate
on what we have to bring.
May the All That Is accept
our most imperfect
offering.


One from 2012, my friends, to be shared with the Poetry Pantry at Poets United, fine reading every Sunday morning. I thought we might need to revisit some light and some peace, in this moment. Smiles.


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28 comments:

  1. Maude LynnSeptember 29, 2018 at 9:52 AM

    Oh, this is beautiful.

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  2. ✿September 29, 2018 at 9:57 AM

    This is so perfect, Sherry. Just what we need. I'm going to burn them now --- candles and incense. Apple cinnamon and vanilla.

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  3. Rosemary Nissen-WadeSeptember 29, 2018 at 2:21 PM

    What a beautiful poem! And a big yes to the sentiments expressed. Yes, I too will take time to do this today.

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  4. SusanSeptember 29, 2018 at 3:33 PM

    May she accept it indeed, as sweetly and of use as the scattered petals for the poet's knees! I will take this into my prayer.

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  5. MarySeptember 29, 2018 at 4:04 PM

    I think whatever offering we have will be accepted. There is NO imperfect offering. When that bell sounds, it will be loud and clear, I am sure.

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  6. ThotpurgeSeptember 29, 2018 at 11:49 PM

    Imperfect offerings... that is perfect!

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  7. J Cosmo NewberySeptember 29, 2018 at 11:59 PM

    Zen!

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  8. Kim M. RussellSeptember 30, 2018 at 3:38 AM

    I am an incense burner, I use it in my quiet moments, and love the lines:L
    'As the smokey vapours rise,
    may they carry all our prayers
    into the otherworld'.
    I also love candles, have lots of scented ones about the house, so the hundred candles 'illuminating and banishing
    our dark night' appeals to me, as do bells! I especially love the 'most imperfect offering', so honest.

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  9. Old EggSeptember 30, 2018 at 4:26 AM

    The act of giving is so important, but should never be boasted about, leave that to the millionaires who give just for a tax concession.

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  10. Sanaa RizviSeptember 30, 2018 at 4:41 AM

    This is incredibly gorgeous!💞 Especially love; "As the smokey vapours rise, may they carry all our prayers into the otherworld."💞

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  11. Anmol (HA)September 30, 2018 at 5:11 AM

    Such a beautiful prayer, Sherry. Loved this bit: "Scatter the petals of aging blooms,/making a carpet on which to kneel".

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  12. Magical Mystical TeacherSeptember 30, 2018 at 5:58 AM

    Yes, we come with imperfect offerings, but somehow they are enough. Amen.

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  13. RommySeptember 30, 2018 at 6:10 AM

    I want to write this one down so that I can use this as a prayer. Love it Sherry.

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  14. Magaly GuerreroSeptember 30, 2018 at 7:39 AM

    Reading this poem feels like exhaling. I usually don't care for guided meditation, or anything that sounds like it, but... this piece feels exactly like that, and I love it.

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  15. colleenSeptember 30, 2018 at 7:51 AM

    I feel like I just went to church, one that resonates for me.

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  16. Gillena CoxSeptember 30, 2018 at 8:20 AM

    Luv the juxtaposition of aging blooms to kneel while imperfect offerings rise

    Thanks for dropping by my sumie Sunday today. Looking forward to Monday's feature

    Much💛❤💛love

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  17. brudbergSeptember 30, 2018 at 8:22 AM

    I feel like burning some incense now... we all need some calm

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  18. JamesSeptember 30, 2018 at 8:51 AM

    love this! very enjoyable! (Jim Tee)

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  19. C. SandlinSeptember 30, 2018 at 10:56 AM

    A welcome invitation to breathe these lines in and accept and offer the imperfect as beautiful. :)

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  20. tonispencerSeptember 30, 2018 at 11:29 AM

    We are all of us broken in some way, not one of us is perfect. And in our own way, we each if us is beautiful

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  21. ZQSeptember 30, 2018 at 11:44 AM

    Amen.
    Beautiful, Sherry.
    ZQ

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  22. Vivian ZemsSeptember 30, 2018 at 2:25 PM

    Beautiful. Prayers rising like incense...that's the image I get.

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  23. Wendy BourkeSeptember 30, 2018 at 4:18 PM

    Exquisite … and in its lovely simplicity … clarity and a purity of being - that is spiritual and transcendent.

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  24. The BizzaSeptember 30, 2018 at 6:32 PM

    "As the smokey vapours rise,
    may they carry all our prayers
    into the otherworld.
    Let the hundred candles shine,
    illuminating and banishing
    our dark night,
    in this early morning
    transitory light."

    This is profoundly beautiful and fills me with a sense of peace.

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  25. kaykualaSeptember 30, 2018 at 8:10 PM

    May the All That Is accept
    our most imperfect
    offering.

    If we are willing to sacrifice our time for the general good then the least one would expect is for them to accept it in all sincerity despite something might be lacking.

    Hank

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  26. dsnake1September 30, 2018 at 8:15 PM

    this is a beautiful prayer, Sherry.
    whatever cultures we are from, may we pray for a better world.

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  27. annell4October 1, 2018 at 7:42 AM

    Yes, we seek peace, and it is not always to be found. Good to remember it from another day. xoxoxoxo

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  28. grapelingOctober 2, 2018 at 11:33 PM

    lovely, Sherry ~

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