בְּרֵאשִׁ֖ית בָּרָ֣א אֱלֹהִ֑ים אֵ֥ת הַשָּׁמַ֖יִם וְאֵ֥ת הָאָֽרֶץ׃
וְהָאָ֗רֶץ הָיְתָ֥ה תֹ֙הוּ֙ וָבֹ֔הוּ וְחֹ֖שֶׁךְ עַל־פְּנֵ֣י תְה֑וֹם וְר֣וּחַ אֱלֹהִ֔ים מְרַחֶ֖פֶת עַל־פְּנֵ֥י הַמָּֽיִם׃
When the Creator began to create heaven and earth — the earth
being unformed and void, with darkness over the surface of the deep
and the Spirit of the Creator hovered over the face of the waters—
(Genisis)
I have been here since the first moment of creation
before life existed…. I was there when Light first appeared
I was above as well as below.
I drew back and saw the land appear
I sustained the first plants and animals and all their descendants to this day
I have watched you come into being and rise as rulers upon the Earth.
If you travel with me, if you close your eyes and let go
you will know what it means to be one, for I travel to the deepest parts
of the earth into the darkness and up to the heavens. I move through
all the beings of creation, plant, mushroom, animal
from microscopic to gigantic. There I am.
In my liquid form I follow an irresistible draw to unity with the great oceans.
I am moved by the moon. I dance with obstacles on my path.
I find my way, always following my calling.
In my freedom, as I tumble and flow
seep through bedrocks and evaporate, rise and fall
I cleanse myself -- regenerating my life-giving power.
I am the red splashed sunset and sunrise
the rainbow, the misty morning, the shimmering lake.
I am the crashing waves, the desert oasis, the hot spring,
the cascading waterfall there I am ...my beauty…
your muse ...your inspiration.
Across this precious earth people come to me for help
knowing the potency of being fully immersed in me
of becoming one with the Oneness.
So too, your ancestors came to purify in preparation for sacred life moments.
I welcome you with your pain, I embrace you
I hear the whispers of your heart, your deepest longings and dreams
I receive your grief, your shame and regret, taking from you
what no longer serves you. I carry your prayers with me as I travel.
I do all this while also hurting, trapped in concrete tombs
my freedom taken, polluted by waste, poisoned by chemicals
contaminated by your neglect and greed
your excessive consumption, your throw away society
that turns my fresh clear fluid toxic.
In places you've taken away my ability to purify myself
redirecting my flow, parts of me are left stagnant and aching.
But I am here, compassionate, hopeful, loving and giving
offering myself to life over and over again…..
I am here…. Will you remember me?
Your ancestors knew well how to be in relationship with me.
In the lands to the east on the mountain of Zion the Kohanim honored me
every year in the nisuch ha-mayim they drew water from the spring of Shiloach
carrying me in procession up the temple Mount.
There, I was poured with wine over the Altar
Tekiya, the Shofars around me blasted, Leviim played harps, drums, trumpets
cymbals and people of all ages danced and danced and danced.
This was the celebration above all celebrations for it is said that
if you did not witness the Rejoicing at the Place of the Water Drawing
you had never seen true joy in your life.
Such was our love.
So please beloved ones, think of me the next time
you bring your bottle to your lips to quench your thirst,
think of how many other lifeforms I have nourished before you
and the memory I carry.
Remember this tomorrow as you dance, sing and drum.
Remember that I am deeply listening, I always listen, responding
to your joy, your love, your embodied prayer.
Your thoughts and words reach me, your songs and gifts pleasure me.
Clap your hands around me to make my sparks shine
let your heart carry your feet and dance in humility
to invite my gentle rains, my kiss of life.
Please remember who I am.
I know who you are! I was there with you in the womb
I was there when your spirit was still in the stars
and your body gestating.
I know who you are.
Do you know who I am?