Day 358 of Year 2 (Actually Day 363)
Of all that God has shown me
By Mechtild of Magdenburg, Trans. Jane Hirshfiled
Of all that God has shown me
I can speak just the smallest word,
Nor more than a honey bee
Takes on his foot
From an overspilling jar.
https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/55266/of-all-that-god-has-shown-me
From Women is Praise of the Sacred https://amzn.to/2W9x1xz
It's very late. I've fallen off the sleep wagon, but only temporarily for a beautiful holiday night of family bonding. I won't say much more because sleep is calling except I love tonight's poem. This daily print making process has revealed so much to me that is really hard to put into words. I hope some of what I feel and experience in this intimate conversation between artist (me) and the Universal Artist, source of all creativity, spills over to you. xo
This work is paired with by "[Of all that God has shown me]" by Mechtild of Magdeburg, trans. Jane Hirshfield
I hope everyone had a happy Father's Day! xoxo
Effortlessly
by Mechthild of Magdeburg, translated by Jane Hirshfield
Effortlessly,
Love flows from God into man,
Like a bird
Who rivers the air
Without moving her wings.
Thus we move in His world
One in body and soul,
Though outwardly separate in form.
As the Source strikes the note,
Humanity sings --
The Holy Spirit is our harpist,
And all strings
Which are touched in Love
Must sound.
https://www.poetry-chaikhana.com/Poets/M/MechthildofM/Effortlessly/index.html From Women In Praise of the Sacred https://amzn.to/2W9x1xz
I've posted this poem before, but I love it so I'm posting it again!
A fish cannot drown in water
by Mechthild of Magdeburg
A fish cannot drown in water,
A bird does not fall in air.
In the fire of creation,
God doesn't vanish:
The fire brightens.
Each creature God made
must live in its own true nature;
How could I resist my nature,
That lives for oneness with God? (English version by Jane Hirshfield
Original Language German)
http://www.poetry-chaikhana.com/Poets/M/MechthildofM/Afishcannotd/index.html
I am utterly overwhelmed and humbled by the response to my last post. I received many lengthy letters from people, some of whom I have known for years and some who have never posted a comment before. If I have not responded to your letter yet, please know that I will and that I am just seeking words which are adequate containers for what I feel. There have also been so many beautiful and supportive comments both here and via email.It is a great surprise to me that my words and journey have impacted people to strongly. This is a deep lesson about self-judgment and trust. I guess that none of us understand the wake our vessel leaves as we navigate through life. We may judge our contribution as small or meaningless, but if this has taught me nothing else, it is that we are not meant to judge ourselves.We are meant to wade into the Light and embrace our path, trusting that if we pursuit our calling, we add to what is good and true in this world. Let us leave the judgments, good or bad, to others. In the end we may all be truly astounded, as I am astounded today, by how empty my own judgments were.My heart is filled with love. You have filled me. Thank you.
A fish cannot drown in water,
A bird does not fall in air.
In the fire of creation,
God doesn't vanish:
The fire brightens.
Each creature God made
must live in its own true nature;
How could I resist my nature,
That lives for oneness with God?- Mechthild of Magdeburg
Mechthild of Magdeburg is a 13th century mystic. I love this poem she wrote:
Of heavenly things God has shown me
I can speak but a little word,
Not more than a honey-bee
Can carry away on its foot
From an overflowing jar.
This is the goal of the spiritual artist to harvest the tiniest drop from an overflowing jar.