I stand upon the earth
my eyes raised toward the sky
the sea below my feet
a fire burns within.

Kin of Nature bless me
the Mighty Dead bless me
the Shining Gods bless me
I am humbled by them.

They watch me when I walk
they catch me when I fall
they set me on my feet
and walk with me again.

They sing to me in sleep
they wake me in the morn
they join me through the day
and rest their heads near mine.

They give me will to win
they hold me in defeat
they guide me through my life
and bear the pain with me.

There are no greater friends
there are no truer loves
there is no deeper need
then this, my need for them.

-July 2007

This particular poem came about one night as I was drifting off to sleep. I was trying to write a chant, or maybe a prayer. I’m not sure. But in the end, this is what happened.