"Palm Tree" A Poem by Danielle Moragne, SHP'13

Guadalupe Palm
Photo taken July 2013 during the Society of the Sacred Heart Spirituality Forum hosted at
Sacred Heart Schools ~ Atherton, Calf
(Note: The poem below refers to a specific palm located in the Dunlevie Aquatic Center at Sacred Heart Prep)

Palm Tree

I followed a feathered friend
on a late Sunday afternoon
Where he took me, however,
confused me,
but he kept singing his mellow tune.

He was beckoning me to the palm tree
and that when he left me.
I saw the sun's fiery blaze
smoldering across the horizon.
The palm branches fanned, 
casting long stretched shadows on the land,
only a dark silhouette for me to see.

But that's when I noticed
the plant four feet off the ground.
The small greens buds
and fuzzy rounded leaf
told me it was a fig tree,
growing straight out of the giant palm.
One life fostering another,
both swaying slightly in the calm.

I followed a feathered friend
on a late Sunday afternoon
and found what could be
my own spot for re-centering
my sanity.

~ Danielle Moragne, SHP'13

Inaugurated by the Academy of American Poets in 1996, National Poetry Month is now held every April to celebrate poetry and its vital place in American culture.  If you have a favorite poem written by an alum or RSCJ that you would like to share, please send to AASH PAST PRESIDENT MER 

"Red Wood Tree" A Poem by Danielle Moragne, SHP'13

Photo taken July 2013 during the Society of the Sacred Heart Spirituality Forum hosted at
Sacred Heart Schools ~ Atherton, Calf near Oakwood, the RSCJ Retirement Community

RED WOOD TREE

The rustic bark
compresses under my fingertips
as my hands slide into the 
crevices of the frayed protective layer.
The environment and wind have taken their toll
as they anxiously try to hug
this magnificent entity.

Surrounded by redwood trees,
my vision blurs.
My head spins,
deep green pines,
calming blue-gray sky,
red bark,
then stillness

Looking up, the scent of evergreens
descends into my nose,
the cannons of bark stretching out above me.
I am walking up that ladder
of branches,
slowly floating higher
and higher
to that ever present warmth, comfort, and serenity,
until every thought is dissolved.
I have reached my inner peace.

~ Danielle Moragne, SHP'13

Inaugurated by the Academy of American Poets in 1996, National Poetry Month is now held every April to celebrate poetry and its vital place in American culture.  If you have a favorite poem written by an alum or RSCJ that you would like to share, please send to AASH PAST PRESIDENT MER 

"Olive Tree" A Poem by Danielle Moragne, SHP'13

Photos taken July 2013 during the Society of the Sacred Heart Spirituality Forum hosted at
Sacred Heart Schools ~ Atherton, Calf  near Oakwood, the RSCJ Retirement Community

Olive Tree

Some friendly souls

stretched out in a line before me.

I stepped to the side,

so that I could see every outline

of the olive trees.

The hint of metal on 

their leaves,

like the moon's silvery reflection

on the deep and dark lake waters,

differentiated

from the lush greens

I was used to.

The smooth covering of sky

peeking through the leaves

only added to my longing

to capture this individualism

in a jar

to try to save it for later.

I want to save the bird rehearsing on

the top branch,

the feeling of antiquity

and simple joy

as I step on the fallen olives.

I wanted to save it

for a dull day of inquiring beauty.

~ Danielle Moragne, SHP'13

Note:  Olive Harvest at Sacred Heart Schools - Over 50 heritage olive trees estimated to be more than 100 years old line the campus along its western border on Elena Avenue.  Since 2009, the School community has come together in early November to harvest the olives from the trees.  The fruit is then pressed into a premium olive oil, bottled and sold as a fundraiser.  Dr. Stewart Slafter oversees the organic management practices of the grove so that the trees produce healthy fruit in time for the harvest.  The education of learning how to manage the trees, produce a high quality olive oil, discover what makes an olive oil extra virgin and what factors affect its taste are all part of the lessons learned for both the students and adults to appreciate the entire process from tree to table.  

"Coast Live Oak" A Poem by Danielle Moragne, SHP'13

Photo taken July 2013 on the grounds of Sacred Heart Schools ~ Atherton, Calf
near Oakwood, the RSCJ Retirement Community

Coast Live Oak

A trunk
massive, contorted, and gnarled
splits and cuts its way into the sky,
demanding its place in the earth by spreading its roots.
Thick at first, then wean away,
like capillaries.

Though native only to the
Golden Coast,
the wide canopy,
dark leaves, and grand stature 
forge the confidence of a continent,
reminding us that we must respect
what we cannot change, and
that we must praise
that which is
greater
than we.

~ Danielle Moragne, SHP '13

Easter Verse - A Poem by Anna Mae Marheineke, RSCJ

Beautiful Golden Yellow Jonquils

Inaugurated by the Academy of American Poets in 1996, National Poetry Month is now held every April to celebrate poetry and its vital place in American culture.  Today's blog post is a poem taken from the book "Smile the Sun Around My Heart" The Collection of Poems of Anna Mae Marheineke, RSCJ.  Sr. Marheineke is a 1934 alumna of the Academy of Saint Charles and currently resides in California at the Oakwood Retirement Community. 

Easter Verse

Early this morning
a jonquil bloomed.
Such glory gazed 
from its golden cup.
I knew at once
the sun was up.
Amazed, 
I gathered flower and sun,
held them a moment 
in the shining grace of one
holy mystery of light.
So must Easter be
in its bright
blaze of resurrected Life.

--- Anna Mae Marheineke, RSCJ

Note:  If you wish to purchase a copy of Sr. Marheineke's collection of poems look under the heading on the right "Books by Sacred Heart Alum Authors" and click on the link to her book.