How Then Shall We Live?

A poem by Ellie Stock, appropriate for the Easter season, Earth Day and National Poetry Month in April. The poem will be included in the liturgy at Second as part of one of the upcoming services this month.

 

 HOW THEN SHALL WE LIVE?

 

What do we call What calls from the deeps,

that pulses through stars and quickens heart’s beat,

that surges through waves and cleanses with fire,

emerges from dust and breathes soul’s desire?

What do we name What mocks human pride,

that bends the Tree of Life, sustaining being’s tide?

 

How do we greet What calls to our deeps,

that lasers vulnerabilities and loves us into being,

that mourns lost illusions and leaves us defenseless,

transforms the present moment and awakens all senses?

How do we embrace What eternalizes finitude,

that opens wide portals, flooding tears of gratitude?

 

How do we know What calls us to decide,

that gives no guarantee and provides no place to hide,

that beckons all our care and trumps the doubt within,

reckons despair and hope and connects all creature kin?

How do we abide in What struggles to create,

that explodes time and space, freeing partners with Earth’s fate?

 

How then shall we live What chisels passion’s edge,

that resculpts past’s confoundings and empowers future’s wedge,

that compels us far beyond mind’s strength or comfort zone,

propels trusting steps into Great Work’s bidding unknown?

How shall we now journey in vast community

with That Which journeys through us profoundly and boundlessly?

 

                                                            ~ ejhs

                                                                                     

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