Saturday, September 29, 2012

Wordle 76: Divine Dunking

New wordle words from Brenda at The Sunday Whirl:
dazed, incense, ambivalence, empties,
holy, scurries, breathing, fear,
flaps, prayers, water, tenderness

 

Divine Dunking
She holds her breath,
lungs burning, 
squints through 
ambivalent ripples
of liquid sunlight. 
Bubbles escape her nose,
scurry to the surface.
Fear forgotten,
she floats in holy water,
immersed in His tenderness.
Incantations and prayers  
rise like incense,
sin empties out
and she is washed clean.



Notes: I struggled with a title for this piece, thinking to call it Baptism By Immersion. Then I thought of Divine Dunking. Hope that no one finds it offensive. I was baptized at the old French church here in St. Paul, the same church where my mother was baptized in 1922 and where my children were baptized many years later. I am immersed in tradition and I find that very satisfying.

13 comments:

Mary said...

Well wordled. I love your optimistic ending of your Wordle poem. My ending was not quite so optimistic.

http://inthecornerofmyeye.blogspot.com/2012/09/if-only.html

Laurie Kolp said...

A wonderful baptism!

http://lkkolp.wordpress.com/2012/09/29/high-school-football/

Daydreamertoo said...

Washed clean. Beautiful!

brenda w said...

The scurrying bubbles are beautiful. This is a lovely piece, Marianne. The simile you employ at the end is rich. Well done!

Anonymous said...

I love the description of this scene. It allows me, for a moment, to experience it.

Elizabeth said...

I like and prefer Divine Dunking. Baptism by Immersion has always frightened me and brought questions. Thanks for the joy you brought to the experience,

Elizabeth
http://soulsmusic.wordpress.com/2012/09/30/prodigal-steps/

Jules said...

It is interesting how different traditions cleanse the 'soul'. Yours is a delightful read that floats the wordles well.

I continue with my fantasy here:
http://julesgemsandstuff.blogspot.com/2012/09/sunday-whirl-76-feeding-souls.html

flipside records said...

What a beautiful description of baptism!

Love this:
"squints through
ambivalent ripples
of liquid sunlight"

flaubert said...

I found this poem very refreshing, Marianne. Beautiful write.

Pamela

Anonymous said...

So vivid that I felt I was right there with her. Lovely poem.

http://miskmask.wordpress.com/2012/10/01/empty-clouds/

annell4 said...

The miracle of "water." Lovely piece.

De Jackson said...

Love this, especially:
"squints through
ambivalent ripples
of liquid sunlight."
Gorgeous.

de
whimsygizmo.wordpress.com

teri said...

Your title allows us to see that maybe we should approach faith and God with a bit more joy. Great write!