I’ve been reading The Sign of Jonas by Thomas Merton, a journal of his early years living at Gethsemene Abbey. Not something you’d think would be inspirational to prelude a birthday poem, but you never can tell from where inspiration will come.

Once in a while his entry falls on a Day of Recollection which he helpfully informs the reader is used to pause and review one’s living. BIrthday’s have become this for me, a day to still myself, consider, regroup, recollect, – so I can live my forward, blooming.

Wide-open

Is it more daring,
to dive off a cliff face,
parachute billowing behind,
than it is to bloom?

Consider,
that Diva, the Tulip,
who keeps growing
with shapely bends and curves,
even after she’s cut —
free-flower-falling
until her petals are flung
in a heavenly thunderclap
of lightening streaked mahogany,
velveted by living
wide-open.

The blooming isn’t over
When the earth regathers its own,
it’s just repacking the parachute
ready for another blooming.

© 2021, Laurel Archer, all rights reserved