Blessing the Boats (at St. Mary's)

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by Lucille Clifton

For my dear friend Bonnie Johnson. Please join me in praying for her safe passage between this and that.

may the tide
that is entering even now
the lip of our understanding
carry you out
beyond the face of fear
may you kiss
the wind then turn from it
certain that it
will love your back

may you
open your eyes to water
water waving forever
and may you in your innocence
sail through this to that


bendición de los barcos
(En el puerto de Santa María)
por Lucille Clifton


puede la marea
que está entrando ahora mismo
el borde de nuestra comprensión
llevar a cabo lo
más allá de la cara del miedo
puedes besar
al viento y después aparte de él
seguro, confidiado de que te
vas a querer igual.

que puedes
abrir tus ojos al agua
ondeando el agua para siempre
y que en tu inocencia vas a
navegar a esto a aquello.


Spanish translation by Ken Ireland
For more of my poems, click here!


Blessing of the Tuna Fleet at Groix 1923, a painting by Paul Signac

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