Fellow traveller,
across the cold, hard landscape
of our broken dreams,
I bid you safe passage,
(a safe journey, a safe return,)
a door open wide
on arrival to shelter you,
cool water to drink,
sustenance
and rest.
Masked men with guns
have overtaken the road
most travelled.
See the empty cars
with smashed windows
by the side of the road.
See the children inside,
wondering where
their parent has gone.
Where to find shelter
in a world so dark?
The forests are full
of hungry animals
who have been displaced.
Prison camps are full
of traumatized humans
whose lives have been blown apart.
How did we make
a world like this?
How do we dream
a better dream,
shelter for every
seeking heart?
a world like this?
How do we dream
a better dream,
shelter for every
seeking heart?
My heart finds shelter
in a line of monks in orange robes,
walking across a winter landscape,
walking for peace - for compassion
- for hope - step after step,
not stopped by the bitter cold,
forward, only forward,
into whatever comes next.
I can only offer a blessing
for your travels.
(A safe journey, a safe return.)
May all beings find
a place of safety in which
to weather the storms ahead.
May all beings find shelter
behind that welcoming door.
(A safe journey, and a safe return.)
Yes, Sherry, thinking about the monks is indeed a way to give our hearts shelter. They have been an inspiration and an example.
ReplyDeleteJoining you in your wish:
"May all beings find shelter
behind that welcoming door.
(A safe journey, and a safe return.)"
I am encourage my the Monk's journey. Facing the elements and consistently moving forward.
ReplyDeleteI too join you in your blessing for safe travels.
"how did we make a world like this" - that's the question we're all asking, watching the news the last few days. How depraved is humanity :( May those who still persevere for a better world find shelter ... thanks for writing this, Sherry.
ReplyDelete"I bid you safe passage,
ReplyDelete(a safe journey, a safe return,)
a door open wide
on arrival to shelter you . . . "
A powerful poem, with the monks in motion and your hope with them--how did we make this world, indeed. And we can answer that, but here I read it as an outcry rather than a question. One of your very best poems, Sherry!
The repetition really adds to the sense of movement just like the monks feet - may you also have safe journey (s) and safe return - Jae
ReplyDeleteThe monks have dedicated their lives for others who need. The Lord blesses them.
ReplyDeleteoh I can feel the desperation but also the hope in your words. Yes the monks do bring a quiet peace and hope. They seem tohave incredable strength Beautiful
ReplyDelete"A safe journey, and a safe return." Yes, it is all we want, at heart, but certainty? Unclear.
ReplyDeleteThe monks journey brings hope.
ReplyDelete"a safe journey, and a safe return"
It should be so for all of us.