Earth

The Lord knows what we are made of, that we are but dust. Our days are but as grass. Psalm 103: 14, 15

Earth to earth, ashes to ashes.
Funeral Service, Book of Common Prayer

To be of the earth is to know the restlessness of being a seed
the darkness of being planted
the struggle towards the light
the pain of growth into the light
the joy of bursting and bearing fruit
the love of being food for someone
the scattering of your seeds
the decay of the seasons
the mystery of death
and the miracle of birth.
John Soos

Earth teach me stillness as the grasses are stilled with light
Earth teach me suffering as old stones suffer with memory
Earth teach me humility as blossoms are humble with beginning
Earth teaching me caring as the mother who secures her young
Earth teach me courage as the tree which stands all alone
Earth teach me limitation as the ant which crawls on the ground
Earth teach me freedom as the eagle which soars in the sky
Earth teach me resignation as the leaves which die in the fall
Earth teach me regeneration as the seed which rises in the spring
Earth teach me to forget myself as melted snow forgets its life
Earth teach me to remember kindness as dry fields weep for rain.
Ute Prayer

Creator, make me malleable, like your earth
Saviour, make me humble, like your earth
Spirit, make me receptive, like your earth