Our Great Covenant

The weekend blown like a full set of birthday candles, I head to church not knowing today’s service is in celebration of the UU hymnal. The music taught me to hold back my anger and push open church doors. Music, my companion on this life’s spiritual journey.

I place a dark stone in the communal bowl. Late January is heavy, its burdens bring disbelief, but in this space and time with those traveling on this “Blue Boat Home,” I remember the simplest duty that even as the chalice is extinguished I must hold in the light.

When muscles relax

it’s a powerful movement

of contemplation.

d’Verse | Haibun Monday 1-29-24: Breath

Cover Art: Plantness – Breath by Isora Caprai Candian

UU hymn written right after September 11, 2001 by Sarah Dan Jones.

23 responses to “Our Great Covenant”

pandamoniumcat

I love the first line. Music is a beautiful companion through life. 🙂

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1. K.F. Hartless
  
  Thank you. 🙏 I was glad to find a few moments to write about my experiences and how I found inner peace through breathing.
  
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Gillena Cox

Nice one.
Thanks for dropping by my blog

Much♡love

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1. K.F. Hartless
  
  Thanks, Gillena. It was great to write about these things. I have learned to breath more and try to hold back on speaking as much.
  
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kim881

I love the simile of the ‘weekend blown like a full set of birthday candles’!

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1. K.F. Hartless
  
  Thank you so much, Kim. We celebrated a birthday here this past weekend, and in true birthday fashion, the weekend was a blur. I liked the idea of starting this piece off with a full exhale.
  
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ben Alexander

K, I love your use of metaphor and how you weave the experience of the weekend’s end, the church service, and the power of contemplation. ❤

Much love,
David

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1. K.F. Hartless
  
  Thank you so much, David. 💜 I’ve learned a lot from going within and listening and also seeking the peace that comes from measured breathing.
  
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Susan St.Pierre

Sometimes it’s harder to “keep the faith” than others. There’s still a place to rest if we breathe. ❤

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1. K.F. Hartless
  
  Beautiful thoughts, Susan. I appreciate you adding them here. I like this idea of creating our own resting place just by giving ourselves permission to breath and think before acting.
  
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Björn Rudberg (brudberg)

I love the haiku, and could feel that relaxation reading it.

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1. K.F. Hartless
  
  Thank you, Björn. I am glade I could capture a bit of the serenity.
  
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Shawna

This is beautiful.

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1. K.F. Hartless
  
  Thank you so much, Shawna.
  
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dorahak

What a wonderful haibun, and the opening blew me away!

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1. K.F. Hartless
  
  Thank you, Dora. 🙂 Your comment made me smile.
  
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  1. dorahak
    
    💞💞I thought it might. Truly an enjoyable piece.
    
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  2. K.F. Hartless
    
    💜🕯️
    
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Ali Grimshaw

Music, singing and dancing are my spiritual companions as well. Thank you for your poem and for sharing the video. Reflecting these lines back to you in appreciation,
“I place a dark stone in the communal bowl. Late January is heavy, its burdens bring disbelief, but in this space and time with those traveling on this “Blue Boat Home,” I remember the simplest duty that even as the chalice is extinguished I must hold in the light.”

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msjadeli

Music soothes the savage beast within me. The music you share here, that works with the breath, gave me a scalp tingle as I listened. What a blessing to share worship with others who understand.

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1. K.F. Hartless
  
  Thank you, Lisa. I think we’re kindred spirits in that way. 💜
  
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  1. msjadeli
    
    You’re welcome, K 🙂
    
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K.F. Hartless

Thank you kindly, Ali. I’m so glad my words resonated with you.

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