Monk in the World Guest Post: Lillian Lewis

I am delighted to share another beautiful submission to the Monk in the World guest post series from the community. Read on for Lillian Lewis’ reflection and poem Winter Morning Prayer.

I am dancing my morning prayer around an outdoor “shrine or altar” to the Great Mother who is Creating the winter morning even as She is creating me. I vest myself for the prayer with joyful bells, family faith, and the petition for my child. In other words…I bring everything I am to the moment of worship.

Winter Morning Prayer

I offer myself
on cold cobblestones
Humming to you
O Dark Mother of Love,
“She who Lights my path,
who keeps me Wild.
I put on my antler crown,
my ankle bells, my Jewish father’s
Blue striped shawl
To join the cosmic dawning dance.
Soft stamping round your altar,
To an old tune, pagan meter,
two flat and three hops,
Stirring yesterday’s ashes into flame,
chanting again your secret names
Breaker of Chains,
Queen Bee,
Lady of Sorrows,
Heal me to the bone,
Mend me to the core.
Shekhinah, Not Forgotten,
Forget not my red haired child.
Then, hold me to my vows.
Amen.

Lillian Lewis was born and raised in post-Depression Chicago, where her eccentric but lovable Irish grandmother taught her the stories and dreams of her ancestors. She holds a Master of Arts in Theology and a Ph.D. in psychology. She is a great grandmother, a lover of poetry and Celtic lore.

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