Pawleys Island, Prayer

This picture, full of Spanish moss, is typical of the beauty of Pawleys Island, South Carolina. Not far from Myrtle Beach, Pawleys seems almost otherworldly in comparison. Yet, like all things coastal, growth threatens. My family was blessed to have spent time at Pawleys recently, our fourth such visit, and what follows here are two poems. The first, I bought in a collection, “Poems of the Sea”, at The Original Hammock Shop. The second, I received via email during our stay. Both seem apropos to region & religion. Enjoy!

From Carmina Gadelica

Helmsman: Blest be the boat.

Crew: God the Father bless her.

Helmsman: Blest be the boat.

Crew: God the Son bless her.

Helmsman: Bless be the boat.

Crew: God the Spirit bless her.

All: God the Father,
God the Son,
God the Spirit,
Bless the boat.

Helmsman: What can befall you
And God the Father with you?

Crew: No harm can befall us.

Helmsman: What can befall you
And God the Son with you?

Crew: No harm can befall us.

Helmsman: What can befall you
And God the Spirit with you?

Crew: No harm can befall us.

All: God the Father,
God the Son,
God the Spirit,
With us eternally.

Helmsman: What can cause you anxiety
And the God of the elements over you?

Crew: No anxiety can be ours.

Helmsman: What can cause you anxiety
And the King of the elements over you?

Crew: No anxiety can be ours.

Helmsman: What can cause you anxiety
And the Spirit of the elements over you?

All: The God of the elements,
The King of the elements,
The Spirit of the elements,
Close over us,
Ever eternally

— Anonymous, translated by Alexander Carmichael of Lismore

Prayer of an Unknown Confederate Soldier

I asked God for strength that I might achieve,
I was made weak that I might learn to humbly obey.
I asked for health that I might do greater things,
I was given infirmity that I might do better things.
I asked for riches that I might be happy,
I was given poverty that I might be wise.
I asked for power that that I might have the praise of men,
I was given weakness that I might feel the need of God.
I asked for all things that I might enjoy life,
I was given life that I might enjoy all things.
I got nothing I asked for — but everything I had hoped for.
Almost despite myself, my unspoken prayers were answered.
I am among all men most richly blessed.