Avalon
Here between the branches of
the slipping stream
bedded by moss and
sentineled by trees
lies my ever-living Avalon.
Here art is forged on
the anvil of the mind
with the blows of the senses
and the heat of the heart.
Here I may rest,
wound-weary from the world,
sit on a throne of rock in the river,
run my fingers through the sunlight like gold dust
and wait till the end of the age calls me forth.
~Chris Yokel in A Year in Weetamoo Woods: Poems by Christopher Yokel
In the stillness,
Sandy
Welcome to the Still Saturday Community where we pause after a busy week, move in quiet pilgrimage, maybe linger a while in some still place, and soak in the beauty of images and reflect on the depth of sparse words. We’d love for you to join us. Grab the button and link up below. We all love to hear if something especially speaks to your heart, but please don’t feel pressured to comment. Simply take some time to be still together, to gaze long and drink deep.
I must confess, I’ve not read Chris Yokel. The photos and verse are lovely, Sandy.
No time like the present. 🙂
I think we are all heart weary this week. I’m so thankful that God’s shoulders are big enough to carry us all. Thank you for your beautiful hospitality here each week.
Yes. I think we are, Elizabeth. It’s been an overwhelming week in so many ways. I’m glad we have a place to find rest.
Wound-weary…oh, yes. Terminal illness is kind of awful, but today’s offering of physical symptoms were really a bit over the top.
And there were still things to be done. As I write this I’m bent double, eyes at keyboard level because it hurts so much…and because if I lift my head any higher, I’ll faint. Blood loss does that to you. The things you learn.
But in this fell twilight, there’s also the sublime. The people I reach through my blog, and whose prayers carry me where I can no longer walk, the dogs (we have a sanctuary for the abused and abandoned) whose innocent snoring now fills the house. The sound of happy slumber..and people say we should build a stand-alone kennel for them!
How wonderful to see you again, Andrew. My heart aches for you. And yet how you are using this wounding to help carry others.
A dog sanctuary. What beautiful hearts you and your wife have.
Praying for you. And her.
Avalon – where we can recover from our wounds like Arthur! Such an image of refreshing and strength in the midst of worn and weary weakness! I want to sit there with you!
Beautiful, restful images in this poem, yes? I’d love to sit there with you, too, friend.
What a beautiful spot to stop and rest and soak in God’s beauty, reminding us in Matthew 11:28, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”
Thank you for hosting Still Saturday. I love the reminder to stop the maddening rush of life.
Blessings and smiles,
Lori
One of my favorite verses, Lori. Something I’m pondering just now though… we don’t rest. We simply come. He does the rest, gives the rest. Hmmm…
Wound-weary, yes.
Yes. With you.
Thank you for the gift of a new-to-me poet and his words this morning!
Michele, Chris is leading this “Becoming Mindful in Place” workshop I’m taking through Tweetspeak. 🙂
Oh Sandy. That poem is stunning. And paired with the photography you choose. I do love it here. Happy weekend. May it be restful of you.
Love to you, Elizabeth. xo
Beautiful, beautiful poem and photos! Help for the wound-weary, for sure! Thanks for hosting & God bless!
Thanks, Laurie!
I feel drawn into the place by the stream as it begins its tumble down, surrounded by large evergreens. I feel soothed just in the looking and things about such a place.
The hearts of so many are weary of the load this world is dumping upon us all. I am ever so grateful that our God carries whatever we give to Him. May we recall His strength and give it all to Him; may we remember that He is our refuge and seek shelter under the cleft of the rock.
Caring through Christ, ~ linda
Yes. So weary of the load. And yet such hope and rest. Have a good (and soothing) week, Linda.
Matthew 11:28 comes to mind with this, so refreshing. Thank you for sharing these bits of pause each week so faithfully. May His mercy meet you and fill you up as you pour into others.
Blessings,
Dawn
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” Yes. It came to me, too. And thank you for your refreshing words, Dawn. xo
I feel like I’ve been transported somewhere else and refreshed. That doesn’t surprise me though…that is how I feel each Saturday I stop by here!
I’m so glad, Amy.
Absolutely beautiful!
😀 😀
That was peaceful, Sandra. Thank you.
Jennifer Dougan
http://www.jenniferdougan.com
I hope you had time to breathe deep, Jennifer. 🙂