Dancing Souls

Today I spoke with a fellow colleague about the incredible poetry our students have produced. To see high school students dig into their hearts to produce a few lines that might communicate more than they could ever speak in words is so powerful. It affirmed me today that poetry still matters.

I always stress the act of spiritual formation and worship that can happen when reading and writing poetry. It made me think of a Carl Sandburg quote that I was inspired by when I had this thought today:

To read poetry is to have two souls dance together, either in darkness or light, and to be fully known by someone with whom you’ve never spoken too.

Read and write poetry...it's good for the soul. Here’s something I wrote as I tried to capture this moment.

Dancing Souls

Candle burning and darkness looming
while I reach into my chest
trying to find a small piece
of myself.

Sometimes I discover something
that is real.
Other times its like fishing
with my bare hands.

But tonight I found
something real.
It was beautiful, true, and maybe
even good.

I took that piece gently
in my hands
and opened up the window
to let it float away.

Darkness looming and emptiness crushing
my insides. I am waiting
for something real; hoping for
beauty and truth.

Maybe even something
good. Then it came through
my window on gentle wings
fluttering and floating.

It rested on my fingertips
dancing across my eyes
while a candle burned
deep inside of me.

Hope forming and light rising
inside of myself while someone
watches and whispers, “would
you dance with me?”

I hope that this blesses you and that you might be inspired to dance with other souls, whether through reading or writing!