Travelling Light, a poem by Pádraig Ó Tuama
In the latest guest reflection on our festival theme for this year, Irish poet and bridge-builder Pádraig Ó Tuama has written us a poem.
Travelling light.
Because sometimes we
travel heavy
and those heady times we
can barely
imagine the freebody
movement of
dance.
Because sometimes we
travel dark
and from those hard paths we
can’t even
conjure an image of
sunrise
or moonrise
or starlight
or fire.
Because sometimes we
travel solo
and those lonely times we
forget all the others
we’ve travelled with
lovingly
travelled with
home.
Because sometimes we
need to be
travelling lightly
because sometimes we’re in need of
regular reminding
that light comes in circles
and waves
and small moments
and light
comes to find us
and light comes with hope.
—————
Pádraig’s own journey and work has involved him in acts of reconciliation, mediation and understanding – as a gay man in a sometimes hostile environment. Most recently, he has been involved in speaking with clergy and church leadership of various denominations in Ireland, walking with them to help them explore and own the truth that LGBT people are worthy of dignity. After spending time last year in Uganda doing the same, Pádraig puts himself on the line, day-in, day-out, mediating and ministering in situations where people need convincing that LGBT people are fully human.
At the end of a week in which the Evangelical Alliance has excluded Steve Chalke and Oasis for Steve’s views over same-sex marriage, we are pleased to be able to publish this poem of hope from Pádraig.