Meeting the Gaze

I look up and my cat is gazing at me.

I look back.

When I meet her gaze,

She rumbles a purr and stands.

Walks toward me.

Initiates touch now.

Like God.

“Draw near to God and God will draw near to you.”

But God was already near.

Already gazing.

Waiting for me to look back.

When I meet that gaze,

I feel the closeness.

It’s only my noticing

That was missing before.

God was always here,

Beating my heart,

Vibrating my vocal cords,

Singing to me through my bloodstream.

I should notice.

My fingernails grow because God prompts them.

My neurons fire with God’s energy.

My eyes blink because God knows they need the moisture.

My fingers flex and grip

As God designed.

God initiated this holy dance

Of electrons and protons,

And bits infinitesimally smaller.

Galaxies beyond my imagining.

God set it all spinning,

Every particle’s movement God’s intent.

Every beat of eternal stillness God’s presence.

Pulsing through me and around me. Inviting me every instant

To choose connection,

And know I’m choosing God.

To dance.

From a million eons before, God knows me.

To a million eons beyond, God knows me.

And still, God cherishes every whorl of my fingerprint,

Every wince and flex and sigh and smile of mine.

Yes, my cat is made of God.

And so am I.

So are we all.

God is here.

When I notice,

I draw near to God.

-Judy Emerson

Responses

  1. donaldwd Avatar

    I think you and Rumi are coming from the same place in this beautiful poem!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Emerging from what held us back Avatar

      Thank you,  Donald! That means a lot to me.  Rumi is one of my heroes!!–Sent with GMX Mail app

      Like

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