Embodied Prayer
Muscle memory propels my morning rituals
and routines. I don’t have to think
as I sleepily hustle and bustle—
letting my dog out, brewing coffee,
dispensing pills. The animals’ bodies
move automatically too.
My dog gently thumps her tail
in anticipation when she sees the flash
of her stainless steel bowl in the sun.
The cats tussle and tumble with gusto
when I fuss with their meals—
they know the wonder of breakfast is near.
We’ve repeated our morning rituals so often
they’ve become embodied prayers.
We’re filled with joy. We’ll trust this day.
We give thanks for the gifts
of good food and good health.
Such abundance. Such luck. Such love.
Sheila Wellehan’s poetry is featured in On the Seawall, ONE ART, Maine Public Radio’s Poems From Here, Rust & Moth, Thimble Literary Magazine, and many other publications. She served as an assistant poetry editor for The Night Heron Barks and as an associate editor for Ran Off With the Star Bassoon. Sheila lives in Cape Elizabeth, Maine. You can read her work at www.sheilawellehan.com.
Amethyst Review 