Shabbat

Shabbat, in Hebrew, does not mean the Sabbath, or
Seventh Day, or even Rest; it literally means, 'Stop!'

“Be irrelevant.

Let snowdrops 

flower without you.”
These are voices if you listen.

The slug on a crocus,

a doe savoring young clover,

waves of new moon 

caressing your pupils,

all whispering
in wordless earnest,

"We don't need you.

Your absence is holy.

It is for us a deeper presence.

Thank you,

but this is our planet.

We perform virescent deeds 

of Imbolc, Equinox, and Spring

without using your mind.

We are grateful to you

for not interfering in our

tiny miracles of quietness.

Just listen and witness,

don't even pray."

These are voices on the verge

of creation.

"Learn from melting snow

how to dance, how to perish,

how to be here and

not here.

Just for an hour 

on a Sabbath morning,

give up knowing.

The earth won't disappear.

You will.

Go fallow and cease,

refresh the meadow."

Yes, these voices, this

homily of silence.

"Sink down

into your barefoot sole,
your breath a hollow path
for the muddy sun.

Let the falling of attention
burst open the golden

swamp cabbage.
Permit the trillium,

shy star of the fern forest, 

to fill you with joy.

Let snowdrops

flower without you.
Be irrelevant."