Read

"Chaff"

Published:
January 9, 2024
November 2, 2020
Read "Chaff", a poem about death and then being purified and refined.|Read "Chaff", a poem about death and then being purified and refined.

In the end, when it is all over,
when the fire has burned out,
and the breath of the world returns in one swift gasp,
Only then will I trust you,
Only then will I let you light the spark that will burn forever in my soul.

Only then, when announced to me by your messenger,
the word of my own baptism in fire,
will my remaining spirit say,
"please, let it be done unto me whatever you will",
"let it be your way not mine",
Burn the chaff from my body
and save the inner child longing to hold your hand.

Pluck the roots out of my heart that were not planted by you,
and allow my heart to inflame with the love of my forebears,
the ones who bore the earth upon their knees.

Allow your mother to swaddle me up and bring me into your presence
when I am finally ready to join my burning heart to yours.

Creators:
Sarah Stovicek
Published:
January 9, 2024
November 2, 2020
On a related note...
7 Ideas for Almsgiving on a Budget

7 Ideas for Almsgiving on a Budget

Lillian Fallon

Why You Should Embrace Your Introverted Personality

Why You Should Embrace Your Introverted Personality

Lauren Fritz

Saying 'Yes' to the Stranger in Need

Saying 'Yes' to the Stranger in Need

James Murphy

Finding Joy in Daring to Be Different

Finding Joy in Daring to Be Different

Grotto

"A Warmer Wind"

"A Warmer Wind"

Marty Moran

St. Ignatius of Loyola Spotify Playlist | #GrottoMusic

St. Ignatius of Loyola Spotify Playlist | #GrottoMusic

Grotto

"Emmanuel"

"Emmanuel"

Barbara Lisette

These Goats Have a Super Power

These Goats Have a Super Power

Grotto

Brian Doyle’s Writing and the Practice of Wonder

Brian Doyle’s Writing and the Practice of Wonder

Devin Kelly

Using Portraiture to Highlight Immigrant Stories in the UK

Using Portraiture to Highlight Immigrant Stories in the UK

Grotto

Taking Kids with Special Needs Fishing for a Day

Taking Kids with Special Needs Fishing for a Day

Grotto

How Live Music Can Inspire Our Imagination

How Live Music Can Inspire Our Imagination

Grace Spiewak

"How We Live Now"

"How We Live Now"

Judith Sornberger

St. Joseph of Cupertino Spotify Playlist | #GrottoMusic

St. Joseph of Cupertino Spotify Playlist | #GrottoMusic

Grotto

Is Your Conscience Real and Does It Matter?

Is Your Conscience Real and Does It Matter?

Mike Tenney

Jesus' Favorite Podcast EP 10: Healing Energy with Herman Petrick

Jesus' Favorite Podcast EP 10: Healing Energy with Herman Petrick

Grotto, Ebony Moxey, Javi Zubizarreta

Food is a Lot Like Love — Here’s Why

Food is a Lot Like Love — Here’s Why

Grace Spiewak

What is a Synod?

What is a Synod?

Grotto

"Return to Northwest Hudson"

"Return to Northwest Hudson"

Marty Moran

What is 'Sin,' Really?

What is 'Sin,' Really?

Ben Wilson

newsletter

We’d love to be pals.

Sign up for our newsletter, and we’ll meet you in your inbox each week.