Dandelions

*** Revised Common Lectionary *** Lectionary Reading: Ephesians 1:3-14 CLASSIC POEM: Dandelions Frances Ellen Watkins Harper Welcome children of the Spring, In your garbs of green and gold, Lifting up your sun-crowned heads On the verdant plain and wold. As a bright and joyous troop From the breast of earth ye came Fair and lovely are your cheeks, With sun-kisses all aflame. In the dusty streets and lanes, Where the lowly children play, There as gentle friends ye smile, Making brighter life’s highway Dewdrops and the morning sun, Weave your garments fair and bright, And we welcome you to-day As the children of the light. Children of the earth and sun. We are slow to understand All the richness of the gifts Flowing from our Father’s hand. Were our vision clearer far, In this sin-dimmed world of ours, Would we not more thankful be For the love that sends us flowers? Welcome, early visitants, With your sun-crowned golden hair, With your message to our hearts Of our Father’s loving care. *** This poem is in the public domain, and may be read in a live-streamed worship service. CONTEMPORARY POEM: Good Morning Mary Oliver SNIPPET: 4. Bless the notebook that I always carry in my pocket. And the pen. Bless the words with which I try to say what I see, think, or feel. With gratitude for the grace of the earth. The expected and the exception, both. For all the hours I have been given to be in this world. … [ READ THE FULL POEM ]