Waking to Snow

 

Waking to snow,

deep quiet,

feathered flakes,

whispers of wind,

and no one going anywhere.

Time pauses,

takes a break.

Why was I rushing around

all these days past?

What was the hurry, the worry?

Plans have now shifted,

busy has been put on hold.

My old clock softly ticks,

keeping time.

Really, dear clock?

Keeping time?

You keep it only long enough to measure its

passing,

and before you can tick again, it’s

gone.

And yet, this morning,

time is asking to be kept,

held,

witnessed

in this white cocoon,

this quiet tiptoe of a morning

waking to snow.

 –kh–

Nurture peace, cultivate kindness, and carry the calm.

 

Nature of the week:

Shadow of the week:

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Text and photos © 2024 Karyn Henley. All rights reserved.

Yes, I Am but No, I’m Not

 

Time tumbled through year-end,

and here I am in crisp January,

wrapped in a warm shawl,

sipping decaf coffee,

listening to rain tap against the window,

slowing down,

breathing deep,

beginning again,

hoping I’m wiser this year,

suspecting I’m not,

resolving to give myself grace to grow,

though my grandson would say

that I’m already grown.

And yes, I am.

But no, I’m not.

I know far less now

than when I was young.

I am full of questions

that will never be answered,

wishes

that will never come true,

uncertainties

that will never resolve.

But here I am in crisp January,

wrapped in a warm shawl,

sipping decaf coffee,

perfectly content just to be

and to let time tumble on.

–kh–

Nurture peace, cultivate kindness, and carry the calm.

 

Nature and shadow of the week:

 

If you want me to send these thoughts to your email each Sunday, simply sign up on the right.

Text and photos © 2024 Karyn Henley. All rights reserved.

The Sacrament of Waking

 

In the drift of easing from night dreams

into the gift of a new dawn,

there exists a pause,

a delicious time,

a handful of moments,

the day reborn in peace.

This handful of half-waking minutes

is a carrier,

a courier,

an envoy of the sacred—

a sacrament.

In the fraying fog of waking,

I feel my fragile frame,

my trusting weight generously held,

graciously cradled,

between blanket and bed,

between heaven and earth.

This moment is a silver bowl

holding silent prayers

measured in heartbeats,

whispered in slow, easy breaths.

In a handful of half-awake minutes,

time touches eternity.

– kh –

 

Nurture peace, cultivate kindness, and carry the calm.

 

Nature of the week:

Shadow of the Week:

If you want me to send these thoughts to your email each Sunday, simply sign up on the right.

Text and photos © 2023 Karyn Henley. All rights reserved.

Ancient Light

Distant ancient light

Kisses red winter berries,

Timeless touches time.

– Karyn –

Nourish peace, cultivate loving kindness, and carry the calm.

Nature of the week – winter berries in the rain:

Shadow of the Week:

If you want me to send these thoughts to your email each week, simply sign up on the right.

For my posts on coming of age in a community of faith, link here.

 

Breakfast First

 

Text and photos © 2016 Karyn Henley. All rights reserved.

When the Time is Ripe

“Time ripens all things.

No man is born wise.”

– Miguel de Cervantes –

 

Take the time to nourish peace and cultivate loving kindness. Carry the calm.

Nature of the week:

pinecone

Shadow of the Week – shamrock shadows:

shamrkshdw

 

Text and photos © 2016 Karyn Henley. All rights reserved.

For my posts on coming of age in a community of faith, link here.

 

Like Steps of Passing Ghosts