Quiet Reflections and Prayers
Out of necessity,
I found myself
starting from zero.
And to my surprise,
it was most beautiful place.
And though I wanted
to find my way back,
I always returned
to zero.
And I never felt the need
to find a label
for everything
In fact, I searched
everything for zero.
I began to allow
experiences to happen
without interpreting
too soon,
a gentler way
found after
a long journey,
a way of being
with my mind
and in the world
met with tenderness
and a deepening sense
of peace
as confusion naturally
transformed itself back
into prayer
again and again.
Without a solid sense
of a fragmented self
once held in place
by overthinking
and figuring out,
the pull was to seek out
quiet space
in which to transform
experience back into
prayer —
deeply honoring
all that was left
unresolved on the surface —
gently pointing
back to the space
within my heart
because there was
nothing left
to block the way.
It’s a delicate thing
to walk this path —
to know a truth
so deeply,
in its most raw form,
having become willing
to stand still
in the heart —
to follow the quiet,
wordless prayer
found there —
to remain in this
quiet space
and wait for words.
like a quiet prayer…
I became willing
to let the surface be
a little bit
unsorted —
holding my ground
and keeping my focus
within the natural calm
of my heart —
holding steady
as a little more
of me
began to reflect
this place.
Help us to
have patience
with ourselves
and each other.
Help us to hold
what’s right here.
I know we’re
all doing
our very best.
Amen
Having found
my way back
to this sacred space,
this unspoken
silent prayer
I had longed for
in my heart
and in the world
around me
for so long,
there was really
nothing else to do
but continue on —
to hold this space
and to be it.
And so there was
a quieting —
a remembrance
of the everlasting
calm.
Tired hands were
closed in silent prayer
instead of busyness
that had once
carried them
away from
this place —
for which they
had searched
for so long.
I learned
to ride the waves
of this life.
I learned not to try
so hard to hold on
to any particular thought
or feeling or form.
And I understood
the beauty within
this natural flow
that is me.
Laurie's Notes 