A Collection of Readings & Poems for All of Life's Greatest Events
A couple of years ago, I nearly fell off my chair while having a conversation with the editor of a small independent press. I had emailed Diane Narraway of Veneficia Publications previously, to see if she’d be interested in publishing some of my poetry, but now she had an unusual request for me. She said: “What we’re looking for is a collection of poems and readings that would be suitable for various rites of passage – handfastings, naming ceremonies, coming of age and so on. Do you think you can do it?”
Once I’d picked myself up off the floor, I began to give the proposal some serious thought. What Diane wanted was a collection of readings and poems that were ‘spiritual’ in nature rather than ‘religious’ – something that people of no particular denomination or creed could turn to in times of celebration or loss; something to mark life’s major milestones. I could see it was going to be a challenge – but I like challenges!
In this article
The Sanctity of Nature
Diane and I agreed that focusing on the beauty and sanctity of nature would probably be the best approach. Over the years, a recurring theme in my poetry has been the spiritual connection I feel with the natural world. Ultimately, I believe that all of life is sacred; that the same life force or spirit flows through each of us – every human being, animal and plant. And if life is viewed as sacred, then every act of living becomes a religious or spiritual act.
Over the next year or so, I set about writing poems and readings for the following chapters:
Birth and Naming Ceremonies
Coming of Age and Leaving Home
Handfasting and Marriage
Miscarriage and the Death of a Child
Celebrating Children and Birthdays
Middle Age and Gaining Wisdom
Funerals and Mourning
While some poems were joyous and uplifting, it was often difficult and immensely sad to write others. Tackling subjects like miscarriage or the loss of a child made my heart heavy and I had to dig deep to find appropriate words. But the editor and I felt it was hugely important to write about these challenging times too. After all, when we’re grief-stricken and devastated, it’s very hard to find the words we want to say. So, we hoped this collection would help people in some small way when life tested them to the full.
I opted for the following title for the book: ‘The Promise of Dawn: Rites of Passage for all Beliefs’ as the words “promise of dawn” feature in one of the poems in the collection:
Early Morning
Dew glistens the grey meadow. Light seeps through cloud strata to silver the vale. Treading the field in reverence, heads bowed, silent heifers commence morning prayer. Even swishing hooves are stifled by the closeness of cloud, the stillness of air.
From somewhere, a rook scratches at sky – its wings, snagged threads in silk – till reluctant mist dissipates and pine trees castellate the hill.
Now, like a tossed coin, night flips and the vale is gilded with morning and every tree bursts with blackbird and robin singing the promise of dawn.
Interfaith Dimension
I come from a Christian background and for much of my life I’ve attended Church in Wales services. I feel particularly in tune with Celtic Christianity. I also have a great deal of sympathy for Buddhism, and I’m passionate about interfaith initiatives and bringing people of different religions/philosophies together.
However, I think it’s the Golden Rule of all the great faiths that really speaks to me: “So in everything, do unto others what you would have them do to you” (Matthew, 7:12). This Golden Rule is expressed in one form or another in most religions, showing us that respect, tolerance, understanding and love for each other are paramount.
I wanted to include this interfaith dimension in my collection of poems and readings, and my research led me in many directions including Native American prayers, the principles of Reiki, meditation, Buddhism and the Bible, and these sources inspired me to write new poems and readings.
It’s perhaps due to this broad outlook that the collection has appealed to interfaith chaplains, celebrants and ministers, who have kindly given me some positive feedback:
“I purchased this book to help me during my interfaith minister studies. It has given me a lot of great ideas for the various ceremonies that I undertake, from marriage to funerals and everything in between. As an interfaith minister in training, I can use the many verses for all beliefs. The book is well written and easy to read. I would have no hesitation in recommending this book. It’s by far one of the best I have read and a resource I will use time after time.”
– Mike, Interfaith Minister
“I love the collection and have found the poems and readings really helpful, particularly the ones around death and grief as they speak at many different levels.”
– Rev Dom Jones, Communications Officer, Police Chaplaincy UK
The collection is also on the recommended reading list of the International College of Professional Celebrants.
Feeling humbled
The most humbling thing about writing a book like this is when people ask me if they can read one of my poems during a special event. Several of my poems have been read at weddings and funerals, and I feel truly honoured by this. I’m deeply moved that my words have spoken to people in meaningful ways.
The following poem has been read at several funerals:
In the dark green places
In the dark green places of the woods, where light barely seeps through, among the creeping lichens and soft-pillowed moss, we will find you.
In the heavy cloak of night, among fiery stars and shooting meteors, where owls hoot and bats outwit the dark, we will remember you.
In the bright sunny days of wind and surf, where light bounces off the rippling sea and gulls cry from azure skies, we will thank you.
In the ventricles of our beating hearts, as our blood pumps through veins and arteries, determined and ongoing, we will know you.
And we will feel you as close as blood, as endless as nebulae.
Self-development
I enjoyed chatting with Adam Pike of Spiritual England recently about ‘The Promise of Dawn’. He said that one of his favourite readings is the following one, because when we’re on a spiritual journey of self-development we all have to unlearn certain ways of living and educate ourselves in new ways of being. So, I’ll leave you with this final piece and wish you well.
The great undoing
It is said that we only come to know who we truly are by unlearning all we have been taught to be; by finding our own methods, views and tastes.
By unpicking the stitches of life’s well-worn clothes, we discover the fabric anew, see its potential, re-envision it, sewing it together in fresh and inventive ways, using creative stitches of our own design.
It is said that the careful unravelling of our old, habitual ways will bring about a new understanding, a coming to terms, even a flourishing.
And this great undoing will be our making.
So, unpick all your delicate stitches, select new patterns and materials, in quirky designs and vibrant shades. Flaunt your multicoloured wonder, your unashamed uniqueness and rainbow style until you feel bold and unparalleled – the person you were meant to be, free and whole.
Patricia Sumner is a prize-winning poet and children’s author living in North Wales. Previously a primary school teacher specialising in English, Pat now runs her own editing and proofreading business, and teaches creative writing to adults.
As well as two collections of poetry, she has had several children’s books published – picture books, adventure stories, educational books and a new novel.
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Note: ‘The Promise of Dawn: Rites of Passage for all Beliefs’ is available from the publisher: https://www.veneficiapublications.com/product-page/the-promise-of-dawn
from Amazon and from all major bookstores.
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