Beloved is where we begin

Beloved is where we begin

If you would enter

into the wilderness,

do not begin

without a blessing.

Do not leave

without hearing

who you are:

Beloved,

Named by the One

who has traveled the path

before you.

Do not go

without letting it echo

in your ears,

and if you find

it is hard

to let it into your heart,

do not despair.

That is what

this journey is for.

I cannot promise

this blessing will free you

from danger,

from fear,

from hunger

or thirst.

from the scorching

of sun

or the fall

of the night.

But I can tell you

that on the path

there will be help.

I can tell you

that on this way

there will be rest.

I can tell you

that you will know

the strange graces

that come to our aid

only on a road

such as this ,

that fly to meet us

bearing comfort

and strength,

that come alongside us

for no other cause

than to lean themselves

toward our ear

and with their

curious insistence

whisper our name:

Beloved

Beloved

Beloved.

Jan Richardson

I had the privilege of spending three weeks in the outdoor magnificence that is Idaho. As I drank in Silver Creek, the Sawtooth Mountains, Copper Basin, the Tetons soaking in all the beauty. This is what I heard: Beloved.

Does this poem resonate with you? Which part speaks to your heart?

Anne