finding grace

My generous hands

forgot how to pray.

I watched the butterfly

rise on strong winds

hoping that in the opening

and closing

of her silent wings

I might remember.

 

My heart is vacant.

The words all wandered off

and I've been searching-

for what

I can't name.

Hands wide open

and waiting.

 

My knees tremble-

ache-to please again.

But my hands won't remember

and the words won't come back.

Reviews

[Phill Oz O'fee]

The beautiful energy of ‘Grace’ is available to each and every one of us, regardless of whether you believe it or not! The mere existence of your being will acknowledge the signs all around you. Very interesting, poignant and self examining write … :-)

[New Dawn]

beautiful poem Emily. I wish you luck in your search

[Shimmerbliss/CAF]

I'm not sure how I got here, but I am so glad I did. This is absolutely stunning...so heartfelt and lonely. It speaks to me in a depth of feeling that I cannot express here. The flight of the butterfly, your heart vacant of words, the open hands...absolutely poetry at it's finest.

[S]

Beautiful tone and imagery- definitely a favourite.

[I Shred This Cabbage]

this is beautiful emily :) ironically you have remembered, as this is such a strong prayer in itself. St Jude is sure to hear your pleas :)

[EB]

just beautiful

[r. f. jordan]

this is a striking lamentation, and one that finds itself close to the human struggle. the ability to conceptualize God, while struggling with a lack of practice that washes the rudiments of faith wrecked into fearful shoals of imagined existentialism. to me the supreme universality of this piece lies in the opening and ending. perhaps some of the best prayers need no words at all. perhaps they can be offered through alms such as silent contemplation and generosity. i have met people without limbs who could pray. i have met illiterates who pray as well. the gorgeousness inherent in this work, is that i only need to seek within to offer regards to the divine, and how i do it need not be defined. spectacular work, there, fellow poet. :>

[Rosallia]

Woah this is really good =) You've done a really nice job with this piece

[Ken Simm.]

Hands wide open like a buttefly. Wishing something would return. Your words are always remarkable.

[...]

. oh ... this is the true poet's prayer ... it's a sigh ... it's a song ... it's a beautiful expression of a devotion to words ... they'll be back soon ... they can't be away from you ... oh, they love you so ...

[Mary]

beautifully written, been there, done that all too often I'm afraid. Thank you for your beautiful expression of the unnameable vacancy of the soul