The Beloved Circle
(A Poem In 2 Parts)
For Jenn
Part 1: Food For The
People
Breathe in – Breathe out
–
A warm wind blows –
A warm wind breathes through
us all –
A warm wind carries us out
into the world –
The wind of the world
carries far over deep waters –
The wind of the world gathers
the waters from deep, bottomless seas –
It calls forth faith.
The breath of earth’s
creation flows over the earth –
The breath of earths’
creation carries hidden seeds as it spreads over the lands –
The breath of earth’s
creation carries the sweetness of the flower within –
so ready to bloom in its
path –
It summons hope.
The breath of the lands
and the wind of the waters seek one another as they travel and do their work –
The breath of the lands and
the wind of the waters greet and join hands – they dance –
They show how to love.
The breath and the wind move
together over the lands –
The breath and the wind spread
a dew that covers the lands –
They show their joy.
The breath and the wind
bring forth the grasses and trees and flowers,
alive, springing forth in fullness
–
The breath and the wind
greet and join making the shape of all peoples –
the people step onto the land
–
The breath and the wind finish
their work and rise into the calm of the sky –
The dew lifts and
transforms its fullness into manna –
Manna for the people.
From the people, someone
– just one of many – is there walking on the grass –
From the people, someone
– just one of many – sees the manna, bends and gathers it for the people –
Someone – just one of
many – is named Jenn.
She turns to the people with
what she has found and speaks, clear for all to hear –
“Hey! Manna! Cool. I
think it’s pretty deep. Pretty sure on that. Hey beloved, want some?”
The people are
nourished.
The people laugh and are glad.
Part 2: Tell
Me Who Is Beloved
Beloved?
Tell me, who is
beloved?
Who is in?
Who is in the
circle?
Who is worthy of
love?
Who is worthy?
The ancient word.
Beloved.
The ancient word.
Friend.
The ancient word,
to the root. Free.
Who is in the
same clan?
Who is worthy of
love?
Who is in the
circle?
Who is worthy of
freedom?
Who is beloved?
You are. You are.
You are.
No one may be kept out.
Draw the circle
wide.
Draw the circle
to the horizon and the open sky.
No one may be
kept out.
Open the door to
all.
The door is open.
All may enter
freely and be at ease.
Who is in the
same clan?
Who is in?
Who is in the
circle?
Who is worthy of
freedom?
Who is worthy?
Who is worthy of
love?
Who is beloved?
You are. You are.
You are.
The ancient word.
Free.
Friend.
Beloved.
by Mark Bohrer, for
Jenn
8/10/2022