Wisdom

Here's a photo of the embroidery piece I'm working on now.
This will probably look substantially different when it's finished.
I used up the last of a 4 year old JoAnn Fabrics gift card this afternoon
buying some blue and gold thread and some delicate little glass beads for this.

Here's a detail.

I never know what to call my pieces, mainly because the process of creating them
is about as far removed from the use of language as one brain can get.
I'm always open to suggestions, though, and often take them.

Meanwhile, here's another poem by Ellen Murphy, CSJ, written in 1947.

Beginning of Wisdom

Wisdom will begin like this
when sharp, clean winds of holy fear
sweep the curved roads of our good will
bringing to light the deep ruts and the stones.

All through the leafless hedges of our minds
this wind will whip like a stern prophet’s voice
and we will listen, taught with our own hurt,
and rake the lawn and burn the dry, dead leaves.

Then come like rain, O lovely Piety,
drop from the April clouds of our compunction
bringing new grass and violets and lilacs.

Fair love will come to May–time while we say our prayers.

And on the gold–green branches
the seven gifts will flower in the Sun.

Come, O clean wind of Holy fear,
for water and the Holy Ghost have marked
these narrow acres for an endless spring.
Ellen Murphy, CSJ

A book of Ellen Murphy's poetry will be published later this year.