Contemplative Poetry Series - John O'Donohue

For the Senses

May the touch of your skin

Register the beauty

Of the otherness

That surrounds you.

May your listening be attuned
To the deeper silence

Where sound is honed

To bring distance home.

May the fragrance

                          Of a breathing meadow

                              Refresh your heart

                           And remind you you are...

                                                                                  

    ...a child of the earth.

                     
                        And when you partake

                            Of food and drink,

                        May your taste quicken

                       To the gift and sweetness

                        That flows from the earth.

                            May your inner eye

                        See through the surfaces

                      And glean the real presence

                     Of everything that meets you.

                           May your soul beautify

                          The desire of your eyes

                          That you might glimpse

                            The infinity that hides

                              In the simple sights

                                That seem worn

                              To your usual eyes.

 This poem is from John O'Donohue's book of blessings,

 To Bless the Space Between Us.

The photographs here were made, in 2009, in John's beloved landscape, the Burren, where I am at this very moment.  I thought this was a perfect tribute to the man and the place.  I want to embrace his way of regarding the world on this trip...to be sure to use all my senses to unfold the mystery of the place.  I hope to have some "On location..." images in a day or two so, stay tuned!