I will kindle my fire this morning
In presence of the holy angels of heaven,
In presence of Ariel of the loveliest form,
In presence of Uriel of the myriad charms,
Without malice, without jealousy, without envy,
Without fear, without terror of any one under the sun,
But the Holy Son of God to shield me.
Without malice, without jealousy, without envy,
Without fear, without terror of any one under the sun,
But the Holy Son of God to shield me.
God, kindle Thou in my heart within
A flame of love to my neighbour,
To my foe, to my friend, to my kindred all,
To the brave, to the knave, to the thrall,
O Son of the loveliest Mary,
From the lowliest thing that liveth,
To the Name that is highest of all.
from the Carmina Gadelica
How do you start your day? Try this little poem.
Whatever you face today, may you remember to face it without malice, without jealousy, without envy, without fear or terror. Whoever you meet, may you show them love, whether they are your neighbor, your foe, your friends, or relatives, whether they are brave or foolish or powerless.
Remember the hope that shields you.
May that hope serve as kindling for a fire that will burn throughout the day.
You can find this poem over the mantle at the Quiet House, on a tile at Laity Lodge, and in the Camina Gadelica, a collection of Gaelic and English poems inspired by Scottish folklore.
