In certain ways writing is a form of prayer.
—Denise Levertov

Let the pen fold into the hand
like the neck bending forward,
chin tilting down,

Let the point of the pen touch
the blank page with reverence,
with gentle pressure,

Let the ink begin to flow,
words begin to appear,
a necklace of strung gems

that, without thought, take form,
become something where
there was nothing,

an offering, a supplication,
a devotion, a surprising bit
of grace,

a communion of spirit and self,
like any other kind of prayer,
this one, like every one,

unique in the moment, and with
the final words, a benediction
of thanksgiving.

•••

For the six new Amherst Writers & Artists facilitators I’m training this weekend and next… to your own writing and that done by participants in your workshops!