Claire's Corner: Service Intensive

Poetry from Claire Sylvan’s book, Turnings

Service Intensive

My grateful heart and tough old sinew
Are once again brought to learning, honing,
Accepting the blessing being pulled to the edge
Of what I think I can do.

I am swirled by requirements,
Urgent and often undefined.

Around me swarm all the old refrains:
Poor Me, It's Too Much, I Can't Do It,
And the greediest, It's Not My Fault,
All so enticing in their familiarity
And momentary comfort.
And I remember that it is not service
To get overwhelmed, and swept away.

This is the blessing, then:
To walk with open heart, welcoming
The challenge of each moment as a teacher;
Each rising emotion, an ally along the path.
And the service that I may perform:
Cooking, cleaning, sewing, the unexpected,
Each an opportunity to make visible
The Love that is the matrix of all.

As this Love moves through
My thoughts, words, and actions
May all beings benefit.

About Claire Sylvan

Born within earshot of the Atlantic, on the rugged westernmost coast of Cornwall, England, Claire has a deep affinity for rocks, water, and sacred places on earth.

Claire has lived, worked, and raised a family in Haliburton County amidst good kind friends for 35 years and 8 years in friendly Almonte. She and her partner, Bev, are known as "the Grannies" to an ever increasing population of wondrous children.