The following was written by Adam Reising after a Community Meeting in August 2023.

I wanted to share the poem I found, (or rather, the poem that found me, and us), at the Community meeting when the Findhorn Foundation shared their Announcement with us. I’d also like to share the background. I’ll do it in the form of the letter I wrote to the author;

Dear Sophia,
My name is Adam Reising. I am writing on behalf of the Findhorn Community in North East Scotland.
Yesterday we had a very important meeting regarding the pause and winding down of the Findhorn Foundation, which for over 50 years has been the educational core of the Community.
During the meeting, there was a funny moment when someone said loudly, “Well this is all very fine, but will no one mention the elephant in the room?” This was said out loud in one of the moments of silence.
I tried to stifle my guffaw, and then asked silently, “what would Spirit say?”. I then realised I had a book of Spirit right beside me.
So I flipped open the We’Moon 2023 Calendar, noticing its cover was titled “Silver Linings” and depicted a beautiful picture of an Angel. And this is what looked me back in the eyes. I had no choice but to raise my hand, and closed the meeting by reading out your poem, “When Endings Come”.
Thank you.
Would you give permission that I might forward the poem to reproduce in the weekly Community Magazine?
I would like to think the Angel of Findhorn was with us that night, and with you when you were inspired to write the poem.

She wrote back;
Adam, I spent my 20th birthday at Findhorn forty-two years ago! I’d be happy for you to print my poem in your newsletter!

Here it is:

When Ending Comes

Look into its eyes
until your tears make a Monet’s garden of the landscape, blurring the hard cliff edge
you will step beyond into emptiness.

When ending comes
Be alone with Sorrow
even if she refuses to speak to you,
let the silence become clay on a wound
that draws out your own hidden, essential words.

When ending comes
Greet it like a guest
that will destroy the house
but leave behind a golden cup
you will not know how to drink from right away.

When ending comes
Cradle it in your arms like an egg, warm it with your body
so that someday when your back curves around it with grief
the bared bones of your shoulders
will breathe out wings.

Sophia Rosenberg 2019

https:www.sandrastanton.art

WeMoon 2023, image by https://cathymcclelland.com

We thank Sophia for the permission to publish this poem on our website. You find our more about Sophia Rosenberg on https://www.sophiarosenberg.com/.

We thank  Cathy Mclelland and Sandra Stanton for the use of their images. You find out more about their art on https://cathymcclelland.com and www.sandrastanton.art respectively.

Guest Author

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