Sunday, October 20, 2013

My prayer garden and a poem


Above is a photo of a Mary garden near our home, and to the right is a photo of my own Mary statue and her pink rose in our garden. I call the rose our Mary Rose.
"My Garden of Prayer"
My garden beautifies my yard
and adds fragrance to the air,
But it is also my cathedral
and my quiet place of prayer.
So little do we realize
that the glory and the power
of Him who made the universe
lies hidden in a flower!
                poem written by Helen Steiner Rice
I bought her book "The Poems and Prayers of Helen Steiner Rice", compiled by Virginia J. Ruehlmann. I like books of poetry, prayer and quotes which group the contents by subject, like this book does. This book has 400 of her poems in it.
Do you have a favorite book of poetry?

19 comments:

Denise said...

Such wonderful places of prayer and meditation.Your's is a blessed little space,that I know brings You much comfort.My favorite poem book is by Ruth Bell Graham.Billy Grahams wife.

Tete said...

I love Rice, but my favorites are the ones that I write. Love your Mary rose.

Sam I Am...... said...

Not into poetry much but I have quotes that I keep that are inspirational. I have a statue of St. Francis..the patron saint of animals? I'm not catholic so I hope that's right. Mary is beautiful in your garden.

happyone said...

It's to nice to have a quiet place to pray. Mine is not one place but my morning walk. : )
Can't say that I do have a favorite book of poems.

Susan said...

That is a beautiful idea to have Mary in the garden, Terra.

I have so many books of poetry that I cannot really say a favorite.

Have always liked Helen Steiner Rice's verses. Very heartfelt. Susan

Buttercup said...

I like collections, too. I am a great fan of the Romantic poets, especially Wordsworth. I also enjoy a book I got in high school -- the name escapes me -- but it's a great collection of inspirational poetry.

Wanda said...

I don't have a favorite book of poems, but I do call my "nook" where I read and pray "The Vineyard" and I find Psalms, Proverbs and Song of Songs feed my poetic heart.

Love your little Mary Rose garden spot..I call that "Holy Ground" because you meet the Lord there. That's the way I feel about my "Vineyard".

Barbara F. said...

Oh Terra, I want to have a Mary Garden too. I will work on one for next year. I pray indoors, I need to do some praying outside as well, before winter arrives! xo

Tammy@T's Daily Treasures said...

Your Mary Rose Garden is lovely. I have several books of short thoughts, blessings, poems, etc that I like to read through ever so often. Have a great week, Tammy

~Lavender Dreamer~ said...

I love poetry and have several books of poetry. I always think I should know which one is my favorite author but I love them all at different times...depending on my mood. This was a pretty poem for the end of the day. Sweet hugs!

farmlady said...

I have quite a few favorite poetry books. One is old and is an assortment of classic poems (I love Wordsworth too... as one of your commentors wrote). One is a book of Zen poems, haiku and Koans, some anthologies of famous poets and the old ones like A Child's Garden of Verses. My new favorites are the poems of Mary Oliver.
Being outdoors and in a natural setting is a poem in itself.
Your Mary Rose Garden is a wonderful retreat. We all need a sanctuary for our souls. We all need a place to pray.

Delvalina said...

Oh wow..I never knew before that you have this beautiful place. I would love spending time for hours there.:)
And beautiful words about Mary Garden :)
Hope you have a great day.
Blessing,
Delvalina

Catherine said...

Such a pretty sunny garden!
xo Catherine

Linens and Royals said...

Thanks for your kind comments on my bushfire post.
My favourite poem is 'Lake Isle of Innisfree' by W.B Yeats. My house is named Innisfree because I live on a lake.

HolleyGarden said...

What a wonderful, calming spot in your garden. I used to read poems a lot, but fell out of the habit. I need to pick up an old book and re-read some of them. It seems every time I read a poem, I find something new it its meaning.

Linda said...

"... the glory and the power
of Him who made the universe
lies hidden in a flower!" I love that! Delightful.

Linda

Lady Jane said...

Such a lovely poem. I have a grove where my moms Mary statue lives in the front of our house and a St Francis statue out back. When I work in those areas they comfort me.

Donna said...

Terra, I absolutely LOVE this post. I also have a Mary garden, and the poem you posted is gorgeous. One of my favorite book of poems was a gift from my sister back in the 70's. It's titled "Will You Be My Friend," by James Kavanaugh. I liked it so much that I purchased several other of his poetry books.
Thanks so much for the kind comment on my foggy cemetery walk. It's where my mom and dad are buried so I find it a very peaceful place to visit.
Donna

GardenOfDaisies said...

I love your Mary Garden!