Spirit of Life,
You who rise greening in our hearts
as well as in the vines of zucchini plants:
Now is a time of great abundance,
when fruits and vegetables of every kind
are piled in great heaps in the markets.
Queen Anne’s Lace blooms in the meadows,
the clear pools of the river beckon,
and the trees are so fragrant
we want to gulp in the delicious air.
Yet fire season has already begun
taking the homes and lives of many beings,
little children are still crying for their parents,
and many we love are sick and in pain.
Help us know that
this is the way of things here,
on this little blue planet
hurtling through the vast starry deeps:
there is always both at once.
Both ravishing beauty and terrible suffering,
both immense joy and agonizing pain,
both glorious celebration and overwhelming grief.
Help us know that whatever we are experiencing
You are with us, whatever we call You—
Love, God, Universe, or no name at all—
for You are the love that binds all wounds
dries all tears
and frees all who are captive
and You are right here in our hearts
singing.
Blessed be.
Artwork: Aditi – Goddess of the Boundless Sky by Peg Green