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Lauds and Loons
In a former life
I chanted Lauds
soon upon awakening:
morning prayer,
quiet time and
praise of the Creator.
Now I join my voice
to songs of birds,
early morning joy.
In winter dark
when hearts are cold
I go within,
remember how it was
when not so stark.
Listen to the call of loons.
I’m posting this older poem to Gooseberry Gardens and dVerse Open Link Night. Both sites are a feast of poetry and friendship. I usually prefer to offer something unique for each, but this week is a bit overloaded.
Victoria C. Slotto, Author 
I just found this, lovely poem – almost sacramental – and now I know what produced the Monday morning prompt.
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Very lovely words – so peaceful and touching. I like the simplicity with all its depths.
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Dear Miss Victoria,
I’ve previously left a comment here but i don’t see it here.. anyway, i’ll just repeat what i’ve said:
I really like this poem. Very meditative and close to soul adoration. I’ve noticed that in the beginning part you clearly expressed your Nun-like worship to our Lord – so sacramental. But this piece is not actually about your life having been a former nun but rather this poem is more on your life now – the new you being like the birds expressing a pure, free and very elemental worship – a pagan-like adoration. Thanks for a wonderful poem.(:
Good day!
~Kelvin
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this has nice rhyming structure and a smooth rhythm. the content is of an interesting ‘turn’ in life….but was it a turn? good poem.
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The beauty in your work…I can almost see the lake and hear the loons….nature is my tabernacle
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Dear Victoria….
Its so lovely… and your lines I could relate to very much…
‘Now I join my voice
to songs of birds,
early morning joy.’
How much we live … only if we live in the now… listening to the songs of the birds that sing outside or inside our hearts…
Thanks for sharing..
Shashi
ॐ नमः शिवाय
Om Namah Shivaya
http://shadowdancingwithmind.blogspot.com/2011/11/whispers-tears-in-rain.html
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Dear Miss Victoria,
I really like this poem. Very meditative and close to soul adoration. I’ve noticed that in the beginning part you clearly expressed your Nun-like worship to our Lord – so sacramental. But this piece is not actually about your life having been a former nun but rather this poem is more on your life now – the new you being like the birds expressing a pure, free and very elemental worship – a pagan-like adoration. Thanks for a wonderful poem.(:
Good day!
~Kelvin
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‘Perfect simplicity’ you said about one of my poems, to my delight. This beautiful and profound piece shows you as a master of the same! I could read it over and over.
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being beautifuol all year long,
love the grace in it,
🙂
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such a peaceful piece… I love the sound of a loon.
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Chanting lauds…listening to loons, what a great set of bookends for the verse. I’ve been on remote lakes early and late and heard the loons, too. It’s the best sort of vesper. I enjoyed reading this. So very focused and disciplined in its compact-ness. A fine poem.
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I like the way this poem shifts, Victoria. The sounds of loons always make me feel kind of sad, but winter is indeed a time for retrospection and holding on to the things which warm us. Thanks for sharing this and I hope that you get some time to breathe easy soon! Thank you, too, for the visit to my blog. 🙂
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There’s no praise like birds singing matins! Well done!
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It reminds me how much I miss birdsong in winter.
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Really like this one…maybe because I’m a bit of a loon myself.
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Now I join my voice
to songs of birds,
early morning joy.
love these lines here, and your winter treatment is cool too.
🙂
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Soothing and calming, just what I needed this morning!
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A wonderful poem, Victoria.
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The verse and the picture seem to play off one another so elegantly. Together they are magical. I can almost hear that eerie call of the loon…
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This is beautiful. Yes, winter IS the time that one should go within!
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i will sing with the birds as well…sounds like a wonderful start to the morning…and those notes of praise are just as important…hope you are well victoria!
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Such a lovely and serene peace, and beautiful picture to match. (Can’t help but think of “On Golden Pond.” Thank you for sharing.
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oh i love to join my voice
to songs of birds as well…i’m such a morning person…as you’re obviously as well…hope you’re still enjoying the time in the desert..tomorrow’s my last day in brighton…sad but was a good time..
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Elegance and eloquence in simple verse. Perfect.
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I love the sound of loons. And the sentiment expressed in the poem has a certain familiarity – I hear myself saying: me too re the former life, and again: me to re the current one. Really a beautiful read, especially when toned out loud…
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very tranquil feel from your words, you always charm our place.
Cheers.
🙂
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This is my favorite, Victoria:
“In winter dark
when hearts are cold
I go within”
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Thanks…this is so lovely.
Peace,
Siggi in Maine
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