TO MAKE A PROMISE - David Whyte.

Dear Ones --

The poet David Whyte is, in my humble opinion, one of great sages of our time. (For those of you who may not be familiar with his name, he wrote — in a different poem — these immortal lines: "Anything or anyone that does not bring you alive is too small for you.")

Here is a poem of his about how to make a promise, which — I think — is also a poem about how to pray.

I've been yearning for more prayer in my life lately, and I feel like the first few words of this poem tell me how to approach prayer again...how to "just lean into the white brilliance" and say whatever needs to be said.

And then: Walk away.

Hope this resonates for you all as it has for me...

ONWARD,
LG

https://www.facebook.com/213407562018588/photos/a.213444315348246.68208.213407562018588/1153289518030383/?type=1&theater

David Whyte

TO MAKE A PROMISE

Make a place of prayer, no fuss,

just lean into the white brilliance 

and say what you needed to say

all along, nothing too much, words

as simple and as yours and as heard

as the bird song above your head

or the river running gently beside you,

let your words join to the world 

the way stone nestles on stone

the way the water simply leaves 

and goes to the sea,

the way your promise 

breathes and belongs 

with every other promise 

the world has ever made.

Now, leave them to go on, 

let your words alone 

to carry their own life,

without you, let the promise 

go with the river. 

Have faith. Walk away.

...

TO MAKE A PROMISE
From ‘Prayer after Prayer’
© David Whyte & Many Rivers Press
May 2015
to be published Dec 2015

Monastic Fishing House
River Cong. Co. Mayo
April 2015
Photo © David Whyte