BEANNACHT (BLESSING)

Digitally enhanced photo by S. Auberle

John O'Donohue, an Irish poet/priest, unexpectedly passed away recently at the age of 53. He died peacefully in his sleep. A great loss, because, as someone commented: "the world needs all the divinely mad Irishmen it can get..."

This excerpt is from the poem "Beannacht" (Blessing) from his book "Echoes of Memory."

"May the nourishment of the earth be yours,

may the clarity of light be yours,

may the fluency of the ocean be yours,

may the protection of the ancestors be yours.

And so may a slow

wind work these words

of love around you,

an invisible cloak

to mind your life."

- John O'Donohue