A Blessing Poem

A Blessing Poem

The peace of loneliness be with you
The peace of the far-from-home

The peace of small things intricately woven
like those moments in time that come
out of nowhere small and bright and eternal

The peace of loneliness be with you
and the patience of the stranger
who would not be known too soon

The peace of warm fires and sudden silence
and small gifts willingly given
and the peace of birds across a strange sky
singing in the early morning
and the peace of lakes and hidden ponds
and small streams silvering a hidden meadow

The peace of those who walk alone
knowing that in the heart of loneliness
their true home is hidden
waiting for that moment of silence and truth
in which to reveal itself

The peace of loneliness be with you
The peace of corner booths in coffee shops
by highways a thousand miles from home

The peace of old fabric and ancient wood
and the peace of stone which knows only itself

The peace of churches and silent houses
and the peace of grass newly mown

The peace of loneliness be with you
The peace of starlight on a distant road
The peace of trees and small animals beneath the ground
The peace of all creatures far from home

The peace of loneliness be with you
for in your loneliness you are not alone

~Albert Huffstickler, from Why I Write in Coffeehouses and Diners~

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