Pay Attention

I just returned from a retreat with my Spiritual Direction class. We've been talking about what it means to live in the presence of G-d, especially if one adheres to the idea of justification by grace rather than by works (you are loved unconditionally for who you are not for what you do). One of the primary practices, or disciplines is to pay attention on the Way. I was reminded of this poem I wrote back in 2003 when I first began this study of Christianity. I was coming more from a Buddhist bent. The poem is in response to one of TS Eliot's poems.

P.S./T.S.

Pay attention
on pathways moist with rain
and fallen cedar boughs,
kiss the soil with bruised knees

between breath and breathless

Pay attention
poised, on the edge,
ready or not,
in earthy sacredness

for this is your kin-dom

Pay attention
to the full length of your spine
surrendered on blankets of peace,
effortless in trust

for life can be very long

Pay attention
to hazel and blue, lover's eyes
and robins' eggs
hidden in nests of tomorrow

for this life in the presence

Pay attention
to footsteps on forgiving ground
walk below weighted clouds, which wash you clean
present, connected, insecure, but whole

for this is the Way of today