St. Brigid's Day

a reflection for my patron saint

St. Brigid’s Day

You, keeper of the sacred flame,
friend of fire and water,
whose presence poets adore
and who holds the heart
of the Blessed Mother close.

You, the one whose finger
always points to the deep water
of the sacred well of life.

You, who reminds us all of the coming
of the sun on mid-winter’s day,
and who stepped through time
to hold the newborn Christ
as he drew his first breath. 

St. Brigid, our muse,
whose voice says yet again,
stretch out your hand to the Spirit
and dare to dream 
this world into being.

We give thanks for you. 

--Stuart Higginbotham

The figure of St. Brigid on my home altar…