Recently I purchased the book, “Love Poems From God: Twelve Sacred Voices from the East and West” by Daniel Ladinsky. A short attention span like mine, replete with fibrofog, likes Daniel’s page-or-less poetry that is fairly easy to read and comprehend. A random page-picking revealed my very first love poem from God entitled “Hey“. The last two lines mirror how simply I have been pared down:
I have been saying “Hey” lately too,
to God.
Formalities just weren’t
working.
Whether or not you agree with my concept of God, you may find the irreverence of a three-letter word works well proffered as prayer. I do, especially now when an acute viral infection earthquakes my chronic pain. In this season of well-wishing, giving, and never-ending scurrying for one day of hopeful celebration, it is my prayer that you, too, will offer your own prayer to the eternal Creator Who loves you.
That’s H E A V Y!!!!! Makes me think of how I pray more to God when I am sick. I can’t help but wonder if, we were to pray more, then maybe we would get sick less. Lot’s to think about……
Unlike you, Janice, I am not a reader of religious poetry but the remarks I’ve read about this book range from, “beautiful book, mystical poetry,” to “funny, touching, interesting, and full of life.” I think that anything that echoes what your heart feels has got to be good.
I love Ladinsky!! His talk of The Beloved – his wildwonderful line in the introduction to the book you mentioned – where he talks about kicking “ass for the Beloved with some great art” – oh, i just love his irreverence. and heart. and how he knows (like you said) we are loved.