Monday
Dec082008
illumination
Monday, December 8, 2008 at 7:36 AM 
She did not cry, "I cannot,
I am not worthy,"
nor "I have not the strength."
She did not submit with gritted teeth, raging, coerced.
Bravest of all humans,
consent illumined her.
The room filled with its light, the lily glowed in it,
and the iridescent wings.
Consent,
courage unparalleled,
opened her utterly.
I am not worthy,"
nor "I have not the strength."
She did not submit with gritted teeth, raging, coerced.
Bravest of all humans,
consent illumined her.
The room filled with its light, the lily glowed in it,
and the iridescent wings.
Consent,
courage unparalleled,
opened her utterly.
--Denise Levertov
There are multiple layers to this post--as always there are--and time for writing is in short supply this morning. I hope you will visit Abbey of the Arts where you will see an invitation to poetry as well as a brief and beautiful explanation of what this day represents (The Feast of the Immaculate Conception and the Enlightenment of Buddha.) In addition, she speaks of the amazing retreat of which I was a part. Words? Where can I begin?
Here is my own photo as well as the line from this poem that was highlighted in my journal from a few days ago. I believe it speaks volumes.
"Consent illumined her."
May you find this season of Advent filled with your own illumination and "yes" to the sacred in your life! Peace.
Reader Comments (6)
beautiful words lucy, from a beautiful soul.
Extraordinary poem, lucy.
A fine point here -- you can take the woman out of the classroom, but not the classroom out of the woman, alas! -- the poem relates to the Annunciation, the consent of Mary to the Incarnation. It does not relate to the Immaculate Conception, a kind of preparation for this decision.
It does speak marvelously of illumination, however. Well chosen.
How delightful to get a small taste of your retreat time! One can only imagine its riches...
thanks, C :-) xoxo
so, barbara...are you making the assumption that i thought the poem was about the immaculate conception? hmmm???
i consider the poem to be totally about me and not our dear, mary...conception/annunciation...nah, i'll take it for myself :-)...but in case any other readers were confused, i appreciate this piece of education!!
thymekeeper--"rich" is indeed an accurate descriptor of the weekend!
:) Sometimes, the comments are as good as the posts.x.x.x.x.