Vittoria...

I stumbled on the words of one of my favorite poets, Vittoria Colonna, tonight, and was surprised at how beautifully she articulated the very thoughts I had today. Its so encouraging to find a kindred spirit, even if our lives are a couple centuries and a half a world away from each other....

I have had a good dream--a beautiful
hand untied the knots pressing in on my
heart, cut away the ancient scars, leaving
not a trace of damage, and led me from

false images heaped up over the years,
mistakes which were all too evident.
My mind clears, and I'm no longer haunted
by regrets, anxieties whose sweet fruits

were but more bitterness. Lightning never
split clouds with a crack so sudden, so violent.
The veil parted, and I felt sound once more.

I felt a hand re-form me as I prayed,
the hand that made that sky so gentle that
my heart trembles still--with joy and wonder.

-- Vittoria