blessing the boats
Lucille Clifton – 1936-2010
(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
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What a great poem by a really wonderful poet. I just read Joseph Campbell’s explanation that myths that use water in their store are often talking about the subconscious. When I reread this poem with that idea it changed the meaning. Love it.