When I began this blog I used a line from a favorite Gerard Manly Hopkins poem God's Granduer.
Because the Holy Ghost over the bent
World broods with warm breast and with ah! bright wings.
Bright wings has been, for me, an image of the Spirit throughout my faith journey. Many of my liturgical stoles have a butterfly design. I am sure Hopkins pictured a dove, but for me the creature with the most extravagant coloring is the butterfly. These wings were the beautiful image that first defined the theme of this blog.
Over the weeks the, theme here has shifted to a image of dancing which is a both a gift and something of a mysterious coincidence. (Of course, I am one who does not believe in coincidences.) You can track the emergence of the metaphor by reading the blog from the beginning by going to the Start Here Page.
The theme of dancing keeps imposing itself upon my journey and recently took a new twist. Martin told me he thought I would enjoy Madeline Peyroux' new CD, Careless Love. During a Starbucks stop we saw the CD and Jeni bought a copy for me.
We have listened to it dozens of times, especially to the first track, a Leonard Cohen poem, Dance Me to the End of Love.
Sudenly these unfamiliar lyrics have become an anthem for my journey adding to the sense that I am being guided, not only by the Spirit but by all of you who are part of this journey with me. Here are a few of lines from the song:
Dance me to your beauty with a burning violin
Dance me through the panic 'til I'm gathered safely in
Lift me like an olive branch and be my homeward dove
Dance me to the end of love
. . .
Dance me to the children who are asking to be born
Dance me through the curtains that our kisses have outworn
Raise a tent of shelter now, though every thread is torn
Dance me to the end of love
Dance me to your beauty with a burning violin
Dance me through the panic till I'm gathered safely in
Touch me with your naked hand or touch me with your glove
Dance me to the end of love
...even more syncronicity. Our favorite painting by Scottish artist Jack Vettriano (he took his mother's maiden name because Italians seem to have more credibility in the art world) is "Dance Me To The End Of Love," 1998. So fond of it are we that we have a huge oil reproduction hanging above our stairway. The work depicts three couples, each decked in formal elegance, embracing on a moonlit beach, and dancing to music that can only be imagined while peering through sky and sea into eternity. And the Cohen poem alludes to a burning violin.
We love you, Don.
Posted by: Mark and Erin Schlichting at April 11, 2005 07:32 AMHow absolutely correct you are, Don, that there are no coincidences. I was thinking of you before I went on line and remembering some of the most profound things you taught me - that being one of them - when lo and behold there it was before me. Nor was it any coincidence the mentioning of the Scottish artist. Such a happy memory the day of Sean's (now 32 and happily married) and Mairi's (now 30, living in London, and soon to be married) baptism resplendent with the Morrison clan all in the kilt, you with the MCClellan tartan stole quoting Scottish prayers, Johnny's lilting voice as he spoke in Gaelic, a piper on the patio, and my mother's homemade shortbread. Such wonderful, blessed memories for which I thank you.
The journey you are now traveling I shared with Johnny and I marvel at your eloquence and sharing. It touches my heart and reminds me of how precious life is and of the legacy left by those we love and never forget.
Posted by: Dorothy Morrison-Collins at April 12, 2005 02:08 PM
Well, synchronicity being what it is... or is that spirit?....I'm sitting here with friends from Vancouver and I wanted to show Marlene the blog. As I read this entry, Marlene says - that is our song...her's and Franco's, "their song". And of course, I must say, written by yet another famous Canadian. Then we read on - and laughed because we are sitting here eating individual little cups of Cherry Garcia Ice Cream!
Imagine that!
Makes me think that many of us are out here, somewhere, feeling the feelings, learning from you and with you - tied together by this blog and your amazing spirit.
Marlene wants to say that she is impressed by the fact that you are sharing the sacredness of your dance with all of us.
Posted by: Gillian at April 10, 2005 05:32 PMgil