Breakfast is Ready
a poem by Peter M. Ivey
It’s been a while, y’all!
This spring has been much busier than I anticipated it being. I’ve been out of town more weekends than I’ve been at home, cheering at our kids’ soccer games, facilitating a variety of retreats through Four Seasons Soul Care, and spending some much-needed time away with my love. All the to-and-fro has pulled me away from posting here, which I’ve missed. I’m hopeful that this summer I’ll have more time to write and share new poems from week to week.
Thanks for sticking around in the meantime! I’m so glad you’re here.
A quick note about today’s poem, Breakfast is Ready: Tania Runyan, aka Poet Jesus, is one of my favorite poets these days. For paid subscribers, she offers poetry workshops where she explores various poetic forms and invites attendees to try their hand at them. A few weeks ago, she hosted a workshop on acrostics.
You remember the kind, probably from early school days, when you were invited to write your name vertically and write a personal attribute for each letter.
Well, Breakfast is Ready is an acrostic poem, and Tania kindly shared it, along with several other delightful poems of the same form in her most recent newsletter. I invite you to check it out here!
Breakfast is Ready (an acrostic)
After his gruesome execution, who could blame the guy, Going back to casting nets and rowing head-down Against the weight of his well-advertised three-strike den— Peter, look up! Who's the dude trolling the shoreline, Engulfing Galilean tilapia off the bone, laughing Like a new hubby clapped with honey-cake by his bride? Open wounds seem to be showing at the fisherman's side. Veils are still in need of being torn in two, but, glory, Eat! He's inviting you to eat! Tow in your payload, man!
An Invitation
*Today’s poem is best read on desktop to preserve the intended form.
What word, phrase, or image in today’s poem captures your attention, draws emotion, brings rise to resistance?
Consider reading the poem again slowly. Then spend some time in listening prayer. Is there an invitation you sense God extending to you in today’s poem? A kindness being offered? A reminder?
Consider giving John 21:1-14 a slow read. Then, close your eyes and imagine yourself in the scene. Who are you? What or whom do you see or hear? What thoughts, emotions, or spoken words arise? How might your imagining serve as an invitation into prayer?
Consider sharing your thoughts, questions, promptings, etc., in the comments below. It’s always so encouraging to hear how a particular poem stirs you.
If you enjoy what you’re reading at This House of Longing, or if you’re feeling kind-of-heart this morning, consider leaving a tip and buying me a kombucha :) Any small “thank you” means a lot as I look to keep this space subscription-free.
What a sweet poem, Peter!
One of my all time faves by you, PMI.