Blessed Muse, crowned with stars,
Your soft, gentle touch
Draws me upward, on high.
Wise lady, you see all
The course of the stars,
You mark sacred measures,
You know full well all
They send down here to Earth.
Gentle leader, guide, beloved Goddess,
Pray lead me, guide me,
Illumine my way,
Bring me home.
(April 2020)
In the darkness, twin candles burn brightly at your shrine, illumine you Nine Holy Muses, who illumine me in turn. You breathe in the incense – breathe into me, I pray; inspire me by your presence. You for whom honeyed tapers burn down – lay upon me gifts from your sacred beehives.
(May 2020)
I hymn you, O Muse, I hymn blessed Kleio, I honor you here in the quiet of night. You illlumine my mind, you give shape to my story, I remember life’s journey, piece by piece, in your sight. You bring not merely snippets, sterile data and facts, But the narrative thread that will stitch them up tight. You help me to tell a true tale of my life: A story that shows sacred purpose aright. Well-arranging my tale – where I’ve come from, and why – With your help, holy Muse, hidden links come to light. Through story, I see my path up to this point, Pointing into a future that’s hopeful and bright.
(May 2019)
What books do you open? What words there inscribe? On leaves made from trees, Or the page of my soul? You set tales in order: Beginning, through middle, to end. You help me to see — and to sing — My own story. You lay open before me Wisdom of sages past. You inspire me to speak Their tales, for our time.
Hail, O Terpsichore, ever flowing Blessed mistress of the dance Fluid, graceful in every motion Body bending, firm in will. Unbind the tension I bear; Unknot, unwind, and loosen me, That I, too, might move Gracefully, in love and service, Swept up in the rhythm Of your holy, sacred dance.
Sorrow, tragedy.
Depth of rage and anguish.
Tears flow, hearts break.
Sky darkens, hopes fade.
The folly of pride, revealed at the last:
The foolish and the luckless brought low
Before Gods and mortals.
Bitter cleansing. Katharsis.
Yet that is not all.
That is not the only story
Told together,
On one stage.
Joy, comedy.
Sky brightens, Dawn’s fingers
Bring day where once was night.
Tears flow once more,
But now of levity,
Mirth too much to contain.
The lost restored, hope triumphs:
Lightness and blessing. Success.
The bitter with the sweet,
The fullness, from high to low,
Seen together,
On one stage.
While in the wings,
Bless’d sisters watch,
Hand in hand, side by side.
Inseparable.
For Thalia and Melpomene, of course.
Clear-voiced Muses, I call to you,
Upraising this hymn as this new work I commence.
O leaders to wisdom, my much-beloved patrons,
Mnemosyne’s daughers, pray attend to my words.
From the song of the stars to the stories of men
You bring virtue and skill to the sage and the bard.
Come with your grace, with many fine gifts.
Inspire my mind, blessed teachers and guides.
Give me honey-sweet words as I write in this space.
Holy guardians and patrons, please bless me and this work.
barefootwisdom 