April is National Poetry Month, a practice begun in 1996. Poetry is certainly part of our spiritual path through prayer, chant and song. I use poetry in my practice as a therapist and spiritual director for a variety of reasons. Poetry has a way of slowing us down, using more of the left brain qualities, offering silences as much as words and inviting one into their own interiority and experience. Poems can act as doors or thresholds into this inner space. A poem will be offered here each week of April, inviting you to use poetry as a path to greater meaning and growth relating to self and spirit.
Last Night As I Was Sleeping
by Anthony Machado
Last night as I was sleeping,I dreamt—marvelous error!—that a spring was breakingout in my heart.I said: Along which secret aqueduct,Oh water, are you coming to me,water of a new lifethat I have never drunk?Last night as I was sleeping,I dreamt—marvelous error!—that I had a beehivehere inside my heart.And the golden beeswere making white combsand sweet honeyfrom my old failures.Last night as I was sleeping,I dreamt—marvelous error!—that a fiery sun was givinglight inside my heart.It was fiery because I feltwarmth as from a hearth,and sun because it gave lightand brought tears to my eyes.Last night as I slept,I dreamt—marvelous error!—that it was God I hadhere inside my heart.~Anthony Machado