Sometimes I come across a new poem in an old book of favorites and it beams forth, saying, this one, now.

I love how this form and language of this blessing from John O’Donohue mirror the essence of  the ideas he’s conveying – heavy at first, then sad, then quiet, and then, at last, lighter.

Dear ones, a long year is coming to a close, a year when even the best parts have often been exhausting. 

Let’s be gentle. Let’s watch the rain (and the snow). Let’s draw alongside stone.

Let’s return to ourselves, to the joy that dwells far within.

For One Who is Exhausted, by John O’Donohue

When the rhythm of the heart becomes hectic,
Time takes on the strain until it breaks;
Then all the unattended stress falls in
On the mind like an endless, increasing weight.

The light in the mind becomes dim.
Things you could take in your stride before
Now become laborsome events of will

Weariness invades your spirit.
Gravity begins falling inside you,
Dragging down every bone.

The tide you never valued has gone out.
And you are marooned on unsure ground.
Something within you has closed down;
And you cannot push yourself back to life.

You have been forced to enter empty time.
The desire that drive you has relinquished.
There is nothing else to do now but rest
And patiently learn to receive the self
You have forsaken in the race of days.

At first your thinking will darken
And sadness take over like listless weather.
The flow of unwept tears will frighten you.

You have traveled too fast over false ground;
Now your soul has come to take you back.

Take refuge in your senses, open up
To all the small miracles you rushed through.

Become inclined to watch the way of rain
When it falls slow and free.

Imitate the habit of twilight,
Taking time to open the well of color
That fostered the brightness of day.

Draw alongside the silence of stone
Until its calmness can claim you.
Be excessively gentle with yourself.

Stay clear of those vexed in spirit.
Learn to linger around someone of ease
Who feels they have all the time in the world.

Gradually, you will return to yourself,
Having learned a new respect for your hearT 
And the joy that dwells far within slow time.

*** 
The way that O’Donohue titled his blessings (“For one who is…”) inspired the index in Month of Sundays, which can be found at all of your favorite booksellers. Thank you to those who have supported this endeavor, whose proceeds will be recirculated to some of the most vital nonprofits around.

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And, we have a Holiday treat for you! If you have enjoyed the Month of Sundays book, and especially if you plan to buy gift copies for the holidays, we’ll be happy to send you a few beautiful letterpress bookmarks featuring images from the book. These lovely products have been handmade by the amazing Christa Alexandra Designs, the mastermind behind the stunning design and illustration of Month of Sundays.

Just go to the simple form on the Month of Sundays site and we’ll get them right to you! With thanks for all of your support, and for your sharing the book with others.

https://www.monthofsundays-book.com/bookmarks