The orb of light crests the ridge,
I stand facing her at the high point of the meadow,
my back to the full sinking moon,
and my heart leaps as always.
Planting the souls of my feet on damp earth
I stretch up, drawing in that healing energy,
letting go of the knotted muscles, the clenched jaw,
calming my agitated heart and restless head.
The amphitheater fills with birdsong,
setting the tone for my morning spiritual.
Feathery grasses burnished with dew
echo the colors of the sun’s rays.
I breathe cool air full of green and swaying life.
A flock of cedar waxwings flit across the blue dome,
A rufous-sided towhee shrills a benediction.
I listen and bask and absorb and hum with the earth.
My body sways, finding its center
acknowledge the power within
and fueling it with the sacred moment:
this is my choir, my cathedral, my communion.
I pick a small posy of wildflowers.
The scent of dried yarrow and lady’s bedstraw
will be the memory incense
to conjure up this temple moment.
Melissa Shaw-Smith 
“The scent of dried yarrow and lady’s bedstraw / will be the memory incense / to conjure up this temple moment.”
Lovely.
“this is my choir, my cathedral, my communion.”
Thank you!
The liturgy of nature’s morning….a perfect way to start the day. Beautiful, Melissa
Thank you. So glad you liked it.
Can just see you there! missing you!
All it needed was a fig tree!
So calming, lovely.
How superbly beautiful Melissa! You have heart like mine in seeing and appreciating worship in its full context, I love what you write, your expression connects me with your vivid imagery. When I go out birding or spending time with God in the bush I see his Green Cathedral and the bright blue dome of its roof, and hear the chorus of thanksgiving as the birds rejoice around me! Yes, your verse has made me relive the delight of all this, thanks Melissa!
We have been gifted a truly wonderful world–it never ceases to draw my admiration and awe.
Beautiful Melissa!
Thank you. I try to capture with words what you manage to capture so skillfully with your camera!
Very nice. The warmth of the rising sun on ones face combined with the scents and sounds of nature. Your words put us there. thank you. P.S. Beautiful artwork Nyssa.
You are most welcome, Jack.
This is such a beautiful and evocative poem, Melissa, thank you. May we have your permission to post it on the website I work with – http://www.gratefulness.org? If you go to http://www.gratefulness.org/explore/resources/ and use the drop down list to select “poems” you will see a selection of poems already posted. It feels good to be in touch again. I look forward to exploring your blog further. Warmly, Saoirse
Saoirse, lovely to hear from you, and very interesting to explore you website. I would be flattered–and grateful–to be included in it. Best wishes, Melissa
Wonderful. The cedar waxwing is my favorite bird. I have seem them only once, a lovely pair.