Over my head, I see the bronze butterfly, Asleep on the black trunk, Blowing like a leaf in green shadow. Down the ravine behind the empty house, The cowbells follow one another Into the distances of the afternoon. To my right, In a field of sunlight between two pines, The droppings of last year’s horses Blaze up into golden stones. I lean back, as the evening darkens and comes on. A chicken hawk floats over, looking for home. I have wasted my life. -- *Copyright Credit: James Wright, “Lying in a Hammock at William Duffy’s Farm in Pine Island, Minnesota” from Above the River: The Complete Poems and Selected Prose. Copyright 1990 by James Wright. Source: Above the River: The Complete Poems and Selected Prose (1990)
Hi, I'm Julien DuBrow—thank you for joining me for Sacred Poetry Sundays (originally on the Sacred Poetry Project), where I share the poems and poets who inspire me—voices that stir something true, something sacred.
Here are three ways to take a poetry dive with me:
Read it aloud—let the rhythm or rhyme and breath of the words settle in your body.
Notice what lingers—a feeling, an image, a line that refuses to fade. Be curious. Why does this speak to you at this moment? What door is it opening into your life, your heart, or your relationships?
Sit with the inquiry—What wisdom is this poem offering me? Let it open a doorway to reflection, journaling, or simply feeling. If you're a Sacred community subscriber, please share your insights with us. I welcome your reflections and the wisdom this poem awakens in you.
Thank you for being here. Poetry is a sacred conversation, and I’m honored to share it with you. See you next Sunday!
—Julien