Invocation of the Trees
Have mercy on us
we who are poor in spirit
we who are never satisfied
we who strive to possess everything
We who are poor in spirit
bless us and teach us
we who strive to possess everything
fill us as vessels with the breath of stars
Bless us and teach us
cleanse and heal our weary hearts
fill us as vessels with the breath of stars
attach our roots with grace and truth
Cleanse and heal our weary hearts
quench our hunger with light
attach our roots with grace and truth
you who honor both heavens and earth
Quench our hunger with light
we who are never satisfied
you who honor both heavens and earth
have mercy on us
I’m reblogging this poem from 2018 for earthweal’s “mentors” prompt, adding some tree art from the archives as well.
I’ve written about trees almost as often as birds and the sea. All good and wise teachers. But trees (starting with the Tree of Life) both anchor and reach toward the cosmic why.
A beautiful post, both words and images:)XX
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Thanks Janet.
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Beautiful, Kerfe. Trees know so much. I love your art, as well.
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Thanks Merril. They do.
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Well done Kerfe. Didn’t you mention earlier you were moving? Hope it went well and you’re settled and surrounded with trees and the birds that go with them.
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Thanks Petru. Yes I’m moved in and there are some trees outside my window again.(I’m on the third floor of my building, facing a side street). The blue jays are noisy and the pigeons like my windowsill. I’m sure more will make themselves known.
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Nice. Hope you’re happy there long term. Be blessed.
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Another temporary move, but a better one. the next one–really!–will be the final one.
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Oh, nice. The pantoum gives it the feel of a call and response, a liturgy.
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Thanks Sarah. I’m glad that feeling came across–that’s what I intended.
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Sigh. Such a beautiful poem, and gorgeous tree art, too. It is a feast in here.
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Thanks Sherry. Trees…
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Wonderful artwork and a wonderful invocation, Kerfe! As we both know, trees are wise, and I would be delighted for a tree to fill me with the breath of stars.
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Thanks Kim. Me too.
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This is a beautiful invocation. I love the way you have taken the old poem and given it an entirely modern twist. Your art work is really lovely too.
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Thanks Suzanne.
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This reads like one like one of those audience participation prayers we used to say at church, but yours invokes something altogether more important—trees. Lovely.
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Thanks Jane. Yes we had those call and response prayers too. I dont think I ever paid attention to the meaning but I always liked the sound and rhythm.
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I don’t remember what they were about. I remember one about Mary and her 57 (or however many) different names. Mystical stuff.
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I don’t think the actual words were that important. That’s why I always found Latin services to be much closer to the original intent of a spiritual experience. Don’t think too much about what it means. Just absorb the atmosphere. Perhaps that’s why chanting is such a universal way of connecting with the supernatural.
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Repeating words that make no sense is the essence of magic. You have to hand it to the Catholic Church, they knew what they were doing.
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Not the same since they attempted to “modernize”.
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The plot holes become apparent when people understand the words.
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“quench our hunger with light
attach our roots with grace and truth”
Read aloud in prayer. Thanks.
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Thanks Susan.
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Your invocation is beautiful and uplifting, Kerfe — along with your artwork.
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Thanks Betty.
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a very worthy reblog, love this poem! and your art, take care!
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Thanks Kate. For some reason you got put in spam, but I rescued you!
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ouch happening too often lately, WP gremlins!
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Beautiful and I’m glad you’re settled for a bit. The birds are a good sign. N.
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Birds are always a good sign…
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I love your pantoums, Kerfe. This is exquisite. A beautiful prayer that breaks my heart.
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Thanks Diana. The trees are there to support us, but we need to return the favor.
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The forest is my cathedral. Your gentle, but powerful hymn is a delightful tribute. Thank you.
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Thanks J.D. The best cathedral.
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