Evensong
To you before the close of day
Drifting down like ashes or snow
Creator of all things, we pray
chest rises and falls
That in your constant clemency
breath descends to the belly
Our guard and keeper you would be
shoulders drop, arms open
Save us from troubled, restless sleep
hands hit the lap, empty,
From all ill dreams your children keep
defenseless under the mantle of night.
So, calm our minds that fears may cease
Banish the dark thoughts.
And rested bodies wake in peace.
Shed everything.
Words in italics are from a 6th century Latin hymn.
Rachel Matters Clark received a BA in Drama from Bennington College, and an MDiv from San Francisco Theological Seminary. While raising her children, she directed educational programs in several churches and worked as an actor and acting teacher. She and her husband live in Falls Church, Virginia, where she teaches ESOL students and leads a small poetry salon on Zoom.
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