Staying Power is on its monthly pause . . .

But here's a gift to unwrap!

“Boreal Paddler” by Roderick W. MacIver

A WILD GRACE
Cheryl Hellner

          for Bill Mason

Dawn comes first along the spine of the river
Wood smoke and wet ash, mist.
A gull on a grey stone
                           keeping her watch.

Your bags lashed tight —
      fitted against the pale ribs
          the slender body of the canoe —
               you push off.

Remember Abraham? Remember Sarah? Remember
     the long red thread of their desert journey
          as it passed through weariness
               as it passed through the terror
                     as it passed through love’s narrow eye?            

               You head out

 And what is faithfulness, if not this?
    Climbing up and down the cold white rungs
          the blue ladders of the sea
     A long red canoe rounding a difficult point,
                        an uncertain sky

A wild grace spread out to greet you.

It’s the last Sunday of the month, so I’m on my usual pause from Staying Power. I’m especially happy to have son Nathan home between his summer internship and his return to college for his junior year.

Today, in lieu of my usual musings, I’m sharing this gift from

Heron Dance Art Journal

, another “raft” on the river. Publisher Roderick W. MacIver combines his own beautiful art with thoughtful words “that celebrate the beauty and mystery of creation and the creative journey. (Learn more at Heron Dance Art Studio.)

Thanks, Rod, for allowing me to repost “A Wild Grace,” including the poem by Cheryl Hellner. Your entire post meshes beautifully with a big announcement that will land in the inbox of every Rafter tomorrow. Can’t wait!

The Gentle Nudge

Join other Rafters this week . . .

• WEDNESDAY: Creatives’ Coffee (Zoom, 4:00-5:30PM Central, at this link)

• THURSDAY: Poetry Pick-Me-Up (Zoom, 12:00-1:00PM Central, at this link)

• Our August “Show & Share” is running at this link. Add your creative work to the thread!

View the full Raft calendar.

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