This holiday season, I have been given a most profound gift. In these past few weeks, I’ve had the unspeakable privilege of acting as a spiritual midwife for a beloved friend, Lisa, as she made her transition from this plane. Words cannot begin to describe the beauty, the Grace, the joy and the sorrow of these past weeks. So I turn to Lisa’s own words to most elegantly convey the essence of her beautiful Being.
Lisa was, among other things, an accomplished poet. The following poem is read by Lisa herself on a compilation CD she’d recorded a few years ago. I played it as I was preparing dinner tonight.This particular poem stopped me in my tracks. I had to listen again. And again. Then I offered a prayer of thanks, and came into my office to share these incredible words with you. May they touch your soul as deeply as they did mine.
(NOTE: Having only a verbal version, the line breaks, punctuation, etc., are mine. I will amend, if I’m able to, at a later date…)
When I Lie Down and When I Rise
Hold me tight, like a chrysalis.
Something with wings is preparing to wake inside.
When I close my eyes, I can feel everything changing,
Yielding to yes,
Uncovering an old intimacy with Light.
More than rose leaves ready to be green
And buds holding what we forgot in the cold,
It’s a ripening of words my ancestors gave me.
And any minute now, I’m going to rise,
Remembering I’m part of a whole –
One cell among billions that people God’s heart.
By Lisa Rosen,
(Copyright 2008)
In loving memory of a very bright Light, who has yielded, with such Grace, to yes.
I love you, Lisa…and thank you so much.
And the deepest blessings to you, dear reader, as you make your sacred transition into this new year.
Namaste.
