Lent is a time when some give up a habit or behaviour...while others take on one (or more). This poem was broadcast recently on
CKUA's "The Road Home", an hour of 'music and spoken word' with host
Bob Chelmick. I thought I'd share it as an example of something that combines both giving something up and taking something on.
Taken from the website,
"bentlily", it is written by Canadian poet
Samantha Reynolds.
You imagine it will dismantle you
to shed the rage
as though it is the supporting beam
the fuel
the thing that pushes back
against the sorrow
but it is not an ally
it is a sack of rocks
you wear as a coat
making you grey
and small
you don't have to do it publicly
at first
test it on a tree
write it down
say it out loud
under water
but don't let your hands drag the memories
into another year
like a corpse
you won't bury
unfurl those fingers
forgive
you will see that the pain will not drown you
with your hands empty
finally
you will float.
December 30, 2011 - Samantha Reynolds.
Hear her read this poem out loud
HERE.
