Time. So precious. It seems to fly by without recognition of how it was spent. In medieval Europe, a Book of Hours was used by Christian laypeople for private devotional use throughout the day. Christine Valters Paintner, in The Artist’s Rule, suggests we create our own Book of Hours to express the beauty of the various parts of the day. It was a good practice, this consideration of the underlying rhythm of my daily life. My Book of Hours took the form of reminder and blessing. I keep it on my desk at home and at work. What would your Book of Hours contain–your significant times of the day and what you would like to remember each day at those times?
A Book of Hours
We Have All the Time in the World
Upon Arising
Eyes opening, dreams
fade to recall life awake.
Stretch, embrace the gift.
At the Start of the Day
Clean, awake, well-fed,
the sorting of seeds begins
today and for life.
High Noon
Hunger gnawing, it’s
hard to stop. Getting quiet
is sustenance, too.
Tea Time
Shifting light hints at
what was and won’t be today.
Nourish, comfort, close.
Rush Hour
Fatigued, famished, a
shift to different chores. Prepare,
give thanks, and break bread.
Upon Retiring
One last thing squeezed in,
then surrender to sleep, no
more to do than be.
Sophia Brothers Peterman
