In honor of National Poetry Month, I offer this poem.
Baptism It happens sometimes in early spring or fall or any bright day when the air is chill despite our star’s faithful burning. I’m walking outside and everything is shining. Suddenly the sky – - flowing around every bit of matter in its path - transforms, and I now walk through water that yields just enough to let me enter. With every step I’m encased in a glorious glove of cool, liquid shine. I can’t see the stuff sky has become, but my heart quickens and I must make an effort not to fall on my knees. I glance at other walkers and wonder if they feel the same or if this is a private miracle, a baptism that opens my soul to morning’s glory, that refuses to let me move on ungrateful. I can’t remember the first time I knew sky could turn into water and back to breath again in an instant.
It doesn't matter.
Nor does how.
Content with mystery
being mystery,
when the moment passes
I emerge into air-breath,
changed as surely as if I’d been walking the beach
and waded into the water
and crouched beneath a wave as it washed over me
and rose up
renewed, awake,
in love with the world again.
© 2024 Mary van Balen
Photos: Mary van Balen
Your poetry touches my heart and soul.
You are God’s gift of good news.
Thank you, Barb. I appreciate your writing. I often think of you and Karl Rahner when I write about Grace….
Good grief Mary! You’re at Cape Canaveral? Would love to see you. Call or text.
Beautiful poem btw.
Hi Karen. I am at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, MD, so sorry to say, not close enough for a visit! NASA GSFC is NASA’s largest site, though many have never heard of it! Glad you enjoyed the poem.
“A baptism that opens my soul to the morning’s glory…” That’s what your poem is.
Thank you, Mary. May you be baptized like this often, and me, too!
Thank you for your comment, Anita, and for your baptism prayer for both of us!
Thank you Mary for giving me the idea of looking for “baptisms” in daily life. Beautiful poem.
You’re welcome, Linda. Glad this poem spoke to you of “baptisms in daily life.” Thanks for your comment!
“Content with mystery being mystery” I love the word “content”. It goes so well with mystery. Thank you.
Thanks for sharing your insight Ed. Glad the poem spoke to you.
Loved the poem, Mary—Thanks!
Thanks for writing, Tom. I’m glad you loved the poem!