Skip to main content

YOU BRING ME HOME TO MYSELF by Brigid Clare Oak

There are certain times each year when I sense especially beloved, supportive Presences rising up within or gathering round about me…

The first of February is such a time, as Brigid of Ireland is celebrated, both as pre-Christian Goddess and Christian Saint. She has been a faithful Soul Friend and Companion to me for many, many years. These words were written to thank and honor Her for always leading me Home.  

You Bring Me Home to Myself
by Brigid Clare Oak

I find You
breathing deep
in the softness of my belly;
waiting with Wisdom
in Silence and Smile, then erupting in knowing laughter.

One glance from Your Love-lit Eyes,
one touch of Your Milk-white Hand,
and all the Kindness of Heaven
wells up within and washes over me.
I know You understand.

Dear Shepherdess,
You bring me Home to Myself;
to this tiny chamber painted with poetry
and smelling of prayer;
to my mother’s worn chair,
to my humble bed;
to my daft heart that dances
to the song of wind and rain;
to the pristine pain of this happy, headlong Love.

You just smile and tell me I’m enough.
No matter that I have no plan,
content to ride each day’s fresh wave.

No matter all the colors bleeding,
and vacillating strength and needing.
What matters is the fear receding
and Love come into bloom.
The Shepherdess in my belly.
The Island in my room.
St. Brigid by Margaret Tarrant 



Brigid Clare Oak lives a quiet life of poetry, prayer, and presence. She is a liturgist, vocalist, and composer of spiritual songs, and works also in the field of elder care and companioning. Brigid is mother to three beloved children; two grown sons and a teenage daughter. Together they enjoy copious amounts of tea, laughter, and love. 








~If you are interested in seeing your poetry appear in this blog, or submitting a poem by a woman that has inspired you, please click here for submission guidelines. I greatly look forward to hearing from you!~

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

IMAGINE A WOMAN by Patricia Lynn Reilly

  This poem invites you to look upon yourself with loving kindness… Gazing at your own true reflection, you will discover that everything you have longed for “out there” is already within you! I invite you to love your creativity fiercely. Faithfully plant seeds, allowing under-the-ground dormant seasons, nurturing your creative garden with love and gratitude. In the fullness of time, the green growing things thrust forth from the ground. It's a faithful, trustworthy process. AND it takes time and patience.  Blessed is the fruit of your creative womb! I invite you to trust your vision of the world and express it. With wonder and delight, paint a picture, create a dance, write a book, and make up a song. To give expression to your creative impulses is as natural as your breathing. Create in your own language, imagery, and movement. Follow no script. Do not be limited by the customary way things have been expressed. Your creative intuition is original. Gather

STILL I RISE by Maya Angelou

Six years ago, I had the privilege of listening to Maya Angelou speak live on the value of poetry at the University of Florida. I share these reflections with you again today, in honor of her birthday.  I was relieved to get one of the last seats available for this rare event, having arrived at five for Maya Angelou ’s free speech at eight. The historically long line began with people settled into beach chairs in winter coats busying themselves on tablets, or eating sandwiches for dinner. As helicopters hovered above and newscasters below, I felt the excitement of realizing that thousands of people were gathering together to hear an eighty four year old black woman recite her poetry! Maya Angelou speaking at University of Florida on Feb. 27, 2013  When the curtain rose -after an overflow of hundreds were sent away- we lucky ones on the inside greeted Maya with a standing ovation, as she smiled sweetly, beginning her talk using metaphors from nature. Maya asked that we

THE JOURNEY by Mary Oliver

Today we honor Mary Oliver (1936-2019) and all the words she left behind. May they inspire you on your journey!  Excerpt from Mary Oliver’s book Long Life: Essays and Other Writings : "Poets must read and study... but, also, they must learn to tilt and whisper, shout, or dance, each in his or her own way, or we might just as well copy the old books. But, no, that would never do, for always the new self swimming around in the old world feels itself uniquely verbal.  And that is just the point: how the world, moist and bountiful, calls to each of us to make a new and serious response. That's the big question, the one the world throws at you every morning. 'Here you are, alive. Would you like to make a comment?'" The Journey By Mary Oliver  One day you finally knew what you had to do, and began, though the voices around you kept shouting their bad advice-- though the whole house began to tremble and you felt the old tug