Last night as I was sleeping,
I dreamt—marvellous error!—
that a spring was breaking
out in my heart.
I said: Along which secret aqueduct,
Oh water, are you coming to me,
water of a new life
that I have never drunk?
Last night as I was sleeping,
I dreamt—marvellous error!—
that I had a beehive
here inside my heart.
And the golden bees
were making white combs
and sweet honey
from my old failures.
Last night as I was sleeping,
I dreamt—marvellous error!—
that a fiery sun was giving
light inside my heart.
It was fiery because I felt
warmth as from a hearth,
and sun because it gave light
and brought tears to my eyes.
Last night as I slept,
I dreamt—marvellous error!—
that it was God I had
here inside my heart.
‘Last night as I was sleeping’
Antonio Machado (Translated by Robert Bly)
If I still myself long enough to pay attention, I can hear the whispers of the imprints that dreams might leave on the inside of my head; I wonder what they might be wanting to tell me?
If I still myself long enough to pay attention, I can hear the whispers of the incessant commentary that my brain keeps up all the hours I am awake; what if I ceased trying to chase threads of its sense, what if told this voice it could take some time off?
If I still myself long enough to pay attention, I might hear the relief of nothing; what if I spent time listening solely for the simple wonder of my blood’s thrum echoing in the space where my Creator dwells within?
And at dawn I leave my house and go into the field. Stars fade like memory. Bless the boat of morning that carries us into light. Bless the oars that stir the water causing ripples of consciousness. Bless the northern and southern edges of sky. Bless the eastern and western banks of the river. Bless the oars men in the boat, god’s people, his faith, his creation. Bless the face of god above us and the reflection of god on earth below. Bless the veil of clouds that guard his secrets. Bless life stirring below the surface of skin, the discomfort of human weakness and mortality, loss and suffering, the misunderstandings that prick consciousness and prod men toward truth. Bless the goddesses, the wives, the daughters, the mothers, the priestesses. Bless the house of Osiris.* Bless this body where the world is gathered. Bless the light in his forehead, in his heart and hands. Bless the sun that shines on every limb.
A creature of light am I.
*Osiris is the god of fertility, agriculture, the afterlife, the dead, resurrection, life, and vegetation in ancient Egyptian religion.
from Awakening Osiris (c.1600 B.C.E.)
translated from the Egyptian by Normand Ellis
simplifying light. iPhone image
image into ikon 