Beannacht For Josie, my mother by John O’Donohue (1956-2008)

Before I share with you this beautiful poem,

it is crucial that you know the following:

Beannacht is the Gaelic word for “blessing.”

A “currach” is a large boat used on the west coast of Ireland.

In brief, when you are away from your beloved ones. All you can do is to wish them a blessing. May the Blue thread in my book be a blessing to your loved ones.

On the day when

the weight deadens

on your shoulders

and you stumble,

may the clay dance

to balance you.

And when your eyes

freeze behind

the grey window

and the ghost of loss

gets into you,

may a flock of colours,

indigo, red, green

and azure blue,

come to awaken in you

a meadow of delight.

When the canvas frays

in the currach of thought

and a stain of ocean

blackens beneath you,

may there come across the waters

a path of yellow moonlight

to bring you safely home.

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.