Thursday, January 10, 2013

Offering

 Trifecta Challenge-Week 59
This week's word is:
INTENTION (noun)
  • Your response must be between 33 and 333 words.
  • You must use the 3rd definition of the given word in your post.
  • The word itself needs to be included in your response.
  • You may not use a variation of the word; it needs to be exactly as stated above. 

1: a determination to act in a certain way : resolve
2: import, significance
3a : what one intends to do or bring about
  b : the object for which a prayer, mass, or pious act is offered

I chose definition 3b


Marta carried her offerings to the freshly dug hole. She assured herself once more that the dimensions were correct. When she was satisfied, she set the objects on either side of the potted berry shrub that had been entrusted to her. A pail of clear spring water to the left. To the right, a basket of soil judiciously mixed with manure. She took a small spade from the ceremonial belt she wore and laid it in front of the pot.

When all was perfectly arranged, she knelt breathlessly before her intention. Her voice barely audible to herself as she began the words of prayer.

“Mother, Earth, embrace and nourish these roots that they spread and multiply.
Father, Sun, warm these limbs that the sap of life runs strong.
Sister, Rain, give drink to these buds that they become fruits.
Brother, Wind, be kind to this being that it stand straight and not break.”

With gentle hands, she removed the shrub from its pot, spreading the compacted roots so they could better reach into their Mother’s care. She lowered the plant into the hole, holding it steady with one hand, she used the spade to carefully fill the spaces around the roots with the fertilized soil. After the hole had been filled, and the earth firmly pressed around the base of the shrub, she poured the water from the pail around it.  She mouthed one last prayer for the health and survival of the plant.

She returned the spade to her belt, gathered the empty vessels, her task complete.  With one backward glance at the newly planted shrub, and the hundred others just like it.  She  faced forward again and joined the other sisters to began the long trek back to the temple.

8 comments:

  1. I loved the care here, the deliberateness of each of her actions. How holy a place with all of her sisters pouring the same care into each plant.

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    1. Thank you, I love my own gardens and while I don't exactly have a ritual, there is special feeling when putting a young plant into the earth.

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  2. I love the devotion in this piece. <3

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    1. Thanks! I was taken with that particular definition and wanted to try it.

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  3. I, too, love the devotion, but also the homey quality fo the work. A pail, a spade, manure. Nothing lofty in the materials, which keeps the holiness grounded.

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    1. Thanks, Cam. As I envisioned this, there just wasn't anything else needed to complete the task. I'm glad it worked well.

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  4. Exact details convey an exact picture. I admire your skill.

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    1. Thank you, I appreciate your stopping by. Also? I thank the muse for cooperating on this, sometimes it just works. :-)

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