cocooned

by Debbie Stevenson

In spring 2018 I was on a personal silent retreat. It was one of the last steps before graduating from a 3 year spiritual direction program. During those 3 days of silence, I discovered a desire for expression. I first began to notice this desire during my spiritual direction training and it also arose in sessions with my spiritual director. When I allowed myself to be silent and sit in centering prayer, I noticed a natural creativity flowing within me. I never knew I had any creative abilities. Others have that gift, not me. Or so I thought.

It was after one of those periods of silent listening that this poem came forth. As I live and move as a contemplative in the world, stillness shows me that there is something waiting to be expressed. This poem articulates my experience of discovering, exploring, and expressing a new life as I move through the transformation process. A transformation from closed to opened. Everyday I am more open to all that God has for me as I take flight into wherever that path leads me.

Cocooned By Debbie Stevenson

I have been Cocooned for most of my life,

Dark

Contained

Narrow space

Something is happening in

This space.

Wings form

A light shines

I push to the light

Like an infant pushing

from the womb.

Its wide open here

Spacious

Bright

I feel wings that as I move

are infused with energy,

Ready for flight.

I look back

that cocoon now a tomb

were I to stay any longer.

I look forward

Lift to fly in the direction

Of the one who has called me forth

To this wide world of adventure and love.