Skip to main content

A SONG OF LEAVING AND RETURNING by Deborah Beach Giordano

Inspired by the experience of walking with those whose earthly lives are ending...


A Song of Leaving and Returning
(dedicated to those whose lives are ending)

by Deborah Beach Giordano


I am singing a new song to the Lord;
a song that has been sung over and again
throughout the earth.
I am singing gently, softly;
blessing God,
blessing my loved ones,
and blessing my life.

I am singing a new song to the Lord;
a song of gratitude,
a song of joyful memories,
a song of sorrow,
a song of departure;
there are no words, only music;
a sweet, tender song I know quite well.

I am singing a new song to the Lord;
a song of rejoicing,
a song of thanksgiving,
a song of strength and of courage,
a song of leaving
and of coming home;

I am singing a new song to the Lord;
a song of power,
of grandeur,
of glorious majesty;
it lifts me up:
the whole world is set before me;
and I see all life with brand new eyes;

I am singing, softly singing,
a song that only the Lord and I can hear;
a song that fills my heart
and thrills my soul;
it is the music of Creation,
the lovesong of God;
it is the song that calls me home.

I am singing, gently singing;
all else has grown silent;
there is no pain,
no regrets,
and no grief;
the gates are thrown open,
new voices join in;
now the Song is singing me.



Deborah Beach Giordano: I am a struggling Christian, committed pacifist, near-obsessive recycler, incurable animal lover, inveterate tree-hugger; a nature mystic, a socialized introvert, an advocate for the vulnerable, an opponent of exploiters. I live in beautiful Marin County, California, where I practice a ministry in Spiritual Direction and healing arts. 








~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

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

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