Today’s Assistant to the Regional Poem Elf is Pam Sheen of Minnesota. Lucille Clifton’s “blessing the boats” is a wonderful poem choice for these turbulent times. . . the calm of Pam’s picture (she even managed to get a boat in the background) and the gentleness of Clifton’s words are like a cleansing breath.
Take it away, Pam!
blessing the boats
(at St. Mary’s)
by Lucille Clifton
may the tide
that is entering even now
the lip of our understanding
carry you out
beyond the face of fear
may you kiss
the wind then turn from it
certain that it will
love your back may you
open your eyes to water
water waving forever
and may you in your innocence
sail through this to that
Hi, had loads of fun w/ this, am at one of MN’s beautiful lakes, St Paul’s Como Lake. Was trying so hard to anchor poem from wind that I failed to zoom on Lucille Clifton’s poem. I chose it as one example of her trademark strength through adversity. Keep up your joy machine! — Pam Sheen
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Thank you, Pam! I’d love to hear from more of you. Email your pictures to thepoemelf@gmail.com.