“I never wanted to die”
It’s the best part of the day, morning light sliding
down rooftops, treetops, the birds pulling themselves
up out of whatever stupor darkened their wings,
night still in their throats.
I never wanted to die. Even when those I loved
died around me, away from me, beyond me.
My life was never in question, if for no other reason
then I wanted to wake up and see what happened next.
And I continue to want to open like that, like the flowers
who lift their heavy heads as the hills outside the window
flare gold for a moment before they turn
on their sides and bare their creased backs.
Even the cut flowers in a jar of water lift
their soon to be dead heads and open
their eyes, even they want a few more sips,
to dwell here, in paradise, a few days longer.
-- Dorianne Laux
It’s national poetry month, Ramadan, and Eastertide—seasons of awakening, renewal, and remembering. Written in the midst of a dark time, Dorianne Laux’s poem is a moving tribute to the glory of life.
National poetry month inspires us to celebrate life by paying attention to words, to nature, to art, to human longing, joy, pain, or wonder. As Laux writes: “And I continue to want to open like that, like the flowers who lift their heavy heads as the hills outside the window flare gold for a moment before they turn on their sides and bare their creased backs.” Her words remind us that we need daily rhythms or spiritual practices that help us “stay open” to God.
In the season of Ramadan, Muslims around the world fast from sunrise to sundown. This holy practice commemorates the revelation of the Qu’ran to the Prophet Muhammad and is a time of spiritual renewal, forgiveness, and charitable giving.
At St. Mark's these last six weeks can be quite difficult for our students, particularly this year. For Muslim students, the added challenge of fasting makes it all the more formidable. However, when I asked one of my students how his fasting was going, he said: “it’s going really well; it’s good to be so grounded.” In a larger class discussion, by contrast, many of my students shared how tired they were, how the loss of spring break, the constant adjustment to changing schedules, and the uncertainties of life this year have made the year really challenging. One student said: “I think what makes it particularly hard is the loss of structure and predictability. I do better when my life is more structured.” In the end, we segued into a discussion on how religious practice provides order and structure to a disordered world, so that our minds and hearts can focus on meaning. As such, Imam Tarek Elgwahary describes Ramadan as a practice of “letting the soul feast” by “resetting our spiritual systems.” In the rhythm of fasting and meditation, one can realign with God.
What spiritual practices help ground you? How might a spiritual practice or daily poetry reading help you to “stay open” and reunite with God?
