NOVENA

I am remembering 
Magic
from different times;
Chiefs with golden crowns,
Deities, raising fire,
Bejewelled headdress
of wrought turquoise
and rose petals
to guide the way - 


I am seeing love
in all its forms
Waiting,
Listening,
for the footsteps 
of my protectors.  

A few days ago,  among my Irish friends on twitter, a novena was begun. The name of the prayerful mammy is Fiona Martin - and the name of the Saint watching over me is Saint Teresa, the Little Flower, Saint of the Little Ways, my favourite Saint! I pocketed a handful of rose petals before the surgery, and clutched them through it. My surgeon, who just happens to be Irish too, and also bears the surname of Martin, had no problems at all with the novena petals accompanying him as he needled away. At the end of it all, he said I did beautifully... but really it was him that did beautifully. He is the kindest and best of surgeons and I hope he is smiling when he reads this! Home again beloveds, thank you so much for the magical connections. For the silver heart charm bracelet sent by Marian Keyes, and the ease with which fear can be utterly displaced by love.

image from Le Petit Prince, words by Antoine de Saint-Exupery, "It is only with the heart that one can see rightly. What is essential is invisible to the eye."