148 - Shacharit

What is your morning routine? I seem to do things in exactly the same order every morning. One of my necessities is a 20 minute breathing treatment, and a few years ago, I realized that I could use that time to daven. A bit unorthodox? Yes. But a way to sanctify some very ordinary time and use it for a blessing.

One Hundred Forty-Eight

Shacharit

With daily repetition of Your blessings,
I slip into the cadences of holiness;
The slowly sounding out of ancient words
Eases into surety and confidence.

You call me, Holy One, to praise You,
And I praise these others’ words
To form my offerings and blessings,
Organized, unvaried, ordered in my mouth.

As words relinquish strangeness,
I see the spaces between, the pauses
That offer place for my private yearnings,
My intimate conversation with You.

I praise You, Holy One.
I have learned the words to sing my awakening;
Each morning I praise my soul’s return,
Melody for rising, my precious knowledge.

I bless You, Holy One,
As structured sequences empower,
Defining and refining
My steps to You.