I chose this spare yet complex poem by Lucille Clifton to honor Black History Month
and to celebrate the love that may carry us “through this to that.”

blessing the boats

(at St. Mary’s)

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

Lucille Clifton, from Blessing the Boats: New and Selected Poems 1988-2000.
Copyrighted material; for educational/therapeutic purposes only.

Image: J.M.W. Turner watercolor, “Weymouth”

Reflection:  Consider the boat you now find yourself in.  What you are leaving; in what direction do you set sail?  To what or whom do you dedicate the love you carry on the journey?

* Read more poems during Black History Month:
https://poets.org/12-poems-read-black-history-month?fbclid=IwAR1C4l7ksRTYpYCk2vf8TYbxmBXrxy3i9YOzYGRQYJhkDJslsWMu9dQymoQ