The stars sing
as they fall from the sky
liberally scattering themselves on the woodland floor.
Renaming themselves wood anemones
they gleam and glisten to the dark.
We soulful strangers sing together as Sam gently weaves us into
one sacred experience.
A firelight feast to feed all the senses,
we eat and drink and listen and soak ourselves in Nightingale-ness.
As “light thickens” candles and fire
sing us into silence.
We approach the midnight hour
when everything is topsy-turvy.
The world sleeps and the nightingale
starts to sing, calling us,
drawing us into a reverential pilgrimage.
“Go dark”, go silently, go singly
each one following and leading.
Alive and more alive with each step
walking as night-time creatures.
Feet know where to step,
ears turned on and tuned in.
The nightingale secreted in the blackthorn bush announces itself to the dark,
welcoming those who are now awake.
He sings with many voices
trills, jugs, whistles and swoops
unconcerned by these human visitors.
A unique conversation between bird,
singer, lute and Shakespeare
shared into the night
to the bird, bush, our hearts and other night-time listeners.
“Be not afeared, the isle
is full of noises,
sounds and sweet airs
that give delight, and hurt not”.
Is this prayer?
Everything sings in unison.
We open our hearts, our full selves
to the beauty of this moment.
Participants in this songful prayer.
A midnight meeting to rejoice in
the song of the nightingale.
© 18 Apr 25
This is a response to attending the event Singing with Nightingales. It’s such a beautiful and unique event. Please check it out here https://www.singingwithnightingales.co.uk/
