Sharing Prayers, Poems, and Reflections

By Rev. Michelle Wiltshire-Clement

I am plunging into this media head first. I enjoy writing about the details that ache to be written. Yes, I have to write or I am not a happy camper. However, why read my babbling on, if you have no idea who I am? I was born cis-female. I am a proud, black woman who has two children, one husband, and am an ordained minister. I am a person that immigrated to this country, the United States of America, from Canada via the West Indies. When I became aware of how much my vote counts, I became a Naturalized Citizen. My family is concentrated in the West Indies, however, we are spread across this globe and have many degrees of political beliefs and cultural customs. When we gather, we enter into heated conversations involving the taboo subjects of both politics and religion. Therefore, engaging in conversations with people from various cultures and backgrounds is like breathing to me. It energizes me!

Previously, I have written Prayers, Poems, and Reflections for about three and a half years. It was a daily practice that was sent through individual texts. As each text was sent, I would think and pray for each person. However, as the list of people grew past thirty souls, my writing became sloppy as I woke earlier to complete my connecting task. Soon I was sending my messages out at noon and then late at night. Daily messages became just too much especially when answering back comments. Instead of texting, I will blog, but not necessarily daily. If you would like to engage in a personal conversation, you can through my contact page or comment below. I will respond in a day or two!

Since this will be my first blog post, I am sharing a poem that I shared with my son recently. There is a short description of the accompanying photos after the poem. Enjoy!

Sharing Forever

by Rev. Michelle Wiltshire-Clement

Look out across the ocean. 

Hear her laughter giggling on the cresting waves.

See the Sun’s reflecting rays,

streaming out from the billowing clouds, like his smile framed 

by his mustache and beard.

Observe the children outside at play.  

They’re tumbling down their favorite hill, 

blanketed with springtime’s blossoms, 

summertime’s grasses, autumn’s crispy leaves, 

or wintertime’s glistening snow.

Love shared everyday at the family dinner table, during any season, 

forms an impression that is truly not forgotten.

Forgotten not is love in the morning, 

sweetly staring at you, with their head still cradled on their pillow.

Gracing you with your cup of caffeine, 

or the hug that warms your heart and soul,

or the evening’s kiss that lingers on your lips,

there is love that has entered your exquisite being.

Transformed and transforming, love exists each moment as a gift, then

blessed again with each memory love exists, to keep you company 

even when joy and sorrow are holding hands.

Feeding us who hunger for comfort, 

love exits for all seen and unseen.

Cherishing unconditionally, without the seasonal boundary of time, is

the reassurance that keeps us warmly embraced. 

Each joyful and sad experience lives, 

woven within an unending tapestry of connections.

Your love is in us, joining us with each other. 

With our sunrise or sunset, 

let us speak to what has awakened in our hearts, to feel deeply, 

believing that we are worthy in accepting you!

From this moment, may we recognize the Divine expression 

of love that exists…guiding us…into sharing forever.

~

The first photo was part of a serial of photos shot at the beginning of sunrise. It was taken in New York City, New York a few years ago with 35mm camera.

The second photo was taken near the end of sunset. It was taken with an cellphone camera in Keswick, Ontario a few years ago.

This is the end of my first post! May you and yours find ways to stay healthy both physically and mentally!

~