Saturday, March 17, 2018

For St. Patrick's Day - Benneacht (Blessing)

On the day when
the weight deadens
on your shoulders
and you stumble,
may the clay dance
to balance you.

And when your eyes
freeze behind
the grey window
and the ghost of loss
gets in to you,
may a flock of colours,
indigo, red, green,
and azure blue
come to awaken in you
a meadow of delight.

When the canvas frays
in the currach of thought
and a stain of ocean
blackens beneath you,
may there come across the waters
a path of yellow moonlight
to bring you safely home.

May the nourishment of the earth be yours,
may the clarity of light be yours,
may the fluency of the ocean be yours,
may the protection of the ancestors be yours.
And so may a slow
wind work these words
of love around you,
an invisible cloak
to mind your life.

© John O'Donohue. All rights reserved
(from Echoes of Memory)

It has been several years since John O'Donohue passed away, but his benediction is perfect for St. Patrick's Day with its notions of homecoming, moonlight, calm waters and comfort. There is a link to John's online presence here. Happy St.Patrick's Day. Sláinte mhaith, good health to you and yours.

2 comments:

Barbara Rogers said...

Happy St. Patrick's Day to you as well. Love the poem (as always) It takes a poet to chose good ones to share, or at least a wordsmith!

Marsha said...

And to you! Many thanks for this poem, as well.