I am intrigued by the notion that God calls us by name. I spoke to this in “The Holy Laughter of God” where the mirth of God is the sound of our name in His mouth. Thus I immediately picked up the theme when I happily come upon this poem written by Sarah Elizabeth Burkey. There is something melancholy about it, and it ends with such comfort in being called by the Spirit.
Now as the days grow shorter, and we move closer to Solstice darkness, let us anticipate, as the poet does, ” the song of you in my womb” – and the bursting forth of Christ into our lives.
When the Spirit Calls Your Name
there is a song in the quiet
felt but not heard
the song of you in my womb
growing stronger each dayas the days grow shorter
I watch the migration of the sky
rustling of leaves at sunset
fog lifting at sunrisecolors drip from trees
and become winter’s quilt
in stillness
wind speaks louderthe ancestors know you
cherokee elders stand close to welcome you
the smell of wood smoke rises
from your grandad’s wood stoveyou will know the warmth of home
clear moonlight in crisp night air
the migration of the sky
when the spirit calls your name
by Sarah Elizabeth, December 8, 2008
Curriculum of the Spiritual Life 