Creative Dreamings

The background on the writing of this poem...

After church on a Sunday in June I traveled to St. Paul, MN to visit a patient at Regions Hospital.

There, at the information desk of the West Entrance of the Hospital was the greeter. He was doing his work. He listened and was present, helpful and caring to those he met. And as I continued down the hall a pianist was at a piano in the lobby playing her music. I reflected on my day so far and the earlier hours of my morning and the joy of singing, choir and prayer.

I visited my friend that afternoon and in the evening was moved to write the poem...The Greeter.

The Greeter

   

I met the greeter today, there, to bless, and to be blessed.

 

I met the greeter today in the beauty that surrounds me,

in family and friends and people I know.

 

I met the greeter today in the music,

measures both difficult and easy,

to sing, to play, to dance, to love, to embrace.

 

I met the greeter today, hands and fingers dancing on keys,

Listen to the embrace, the greeting,

 

I met the greeter today in another I know,

and the ones I have yet to know,

the caregivers at a bedside, medicine and gowns.

And there, in a sterile room, to greet me, humor and pain surround.

 

Goodness and care sustain you, and you, me..

I wonder, at our meeting, you and I, greeters to one another.

Vessels of love we are, poured out,  empty,

knowing love’s smile will greet us again.

 

Through stubborn birth into dusty days you greeted me.

And sheltered me in a mother’s arms, a father’s care.

Tired, I rested awhile and walked again, the paths you have shown me,

the paths I have come to know, the paths I have yet to know.

 

The brown cover now draped,

the book of music closed,.

longing for another time, another moment’s pause.

The memories and the music of love now resonate from within,

a vessel of clay now ready for the pouring, for the Greeter.

 

Take leave my joy and rest until another time,

For there will be another time.

 

I met the Greeter today, there, to bless, and to be blessed.

 

 

 

Bob Buckner

 

Written, reflecting upon the day of my birthday.