It started with a familiar wrangling of life’s challenges, me trying ungracefully to come to terms with the many questions I still have, at this point in my journey, about pretty much everything.
Thank you for this poem, and for the thoughts about aging. I’m there with you. Just this morning I read a Richard Rohr post which quoted writing by Miribai Starr. It touches me very much the way your writing does. Here is a link to it. https://cac.org/daily-meditations/extraordinary-ordinary-moments-2023-08-30/
What an exquisite post to accompany me today, Darrell. Thank you so much. In fact, I think that one will stay with me well beyond today. Much appreciated!
Oh my, your poem is wonderful..... I love the opening paragraph especially.. why? Because like so much great poetry the words take you to a place of meaning and feeling.... I too had a creek behind my house with slime covered rocks and crayfish.... I too went barefoot through hidden dreams...and endless battles won... In this creek I found I could be a hero or an outlaw for a fleeting moment..... And it all started with my toes...
It took long enough to call myself a writer that adding a second title needs times to percolate. But, I'm trying to be open minded. Thank you for your kind comment, Courtney.
So grateful for the opportunity, Alison. I read a lot of Substack non-fiction - science, politics, storytelling - but your publication is among a select few 'how-to' writing resources in my collection. Much appreciated!
Your poem touched me deeply this morning, reading it after pausing in my early morning dog walk to gaze at the Super Moon. I tell friends that I know the balance of life better than many as I swing by it so frequently.
Early yesterday as the Super Moon approached I felt generalised anxiety and unrest. I received the text several hours later that my son and his wife had welcomed their second child, a son after an easy delivery at home on Oahu. His Hawaiian name means Splendid One. His Mandarin name means Blue Sky. He was born under the moon phase Hua,a time of planting and good fishing. He was born on the 6th anniversary of my mother's death. I like to think she gave him a little kiss to send him on his way.
Anxiety gives was ,yet again, to gratitude and awe.
This, Susan, is a precious comment. Thank you for taking time to share your morning experience, the recent gift of a new member of your family, the moon, all of it. And especially this: “I know the balance of life better than many as I swing by it so frequently.”
I’m far from a poet, but I recognize it when I see it. Wonderful EDSB. At this point in life I choose to put the questions aside. I suppose that could be interpreted in different ways, but either way I’m grateful I have the ability to make that choice.
Appreciate the comment, Rob, and I particularly like the idea of viewing, with gratitude, the ability to make a choice. As they say, there's a lot to unpack there. :)
That is poignant and beautiful.
Thank you, Prue. I'm grateful for those words.
Thank you for this poem, and for the thoughts about aging. I’m there with you. Just this morning I read a Richard Rohr post which quoted writing by Miribai Starr. It touches me very much the way your writing does. Here is a link to it. https://cac.org/daily-meditations/extraordinary-ordinary-moments-2023-08-30/
What an exquisite post to accompany me today, Darrell. Thank you so much. In fact, I think that one will stay with me well beyond today. Much appreciated!
Fr Rohr is a gem!
Thank you Elizabeth. I think you are a poet.
Tom
Thank you, Tom. I'll go with that for now. :)
Oh my, your poem is wonderful..... I love the opening paragraph especially.. why? Because like so much great poetry the words take you to a place of meaning and feeling.... I too had a creek behind my house with slime covered rocks and crayfish.... I too went barefoot through hidden dreams...and endless battles won... In this creek I found I could be a hero or an outlaw for a fleeting moment..... And it all started with my toes...
There's probably a message here for both of us -- to get our feet back in those creeks! Thanks for your thoughts, Barry.
“Wisdom finds/dismal or shining/a way of surviving…”
Your words flow like a watched creek. Thanks, Elizabeth.
Appreciating that you experienced that, Stewart, and that you took the time to share. Many thanks.
…wonder
and magic
to ease the ache
of truth.
A feast imagined for sure. Yes, Elizabeth. You are a poet.
It took long enough to call myself a writer that adding a second title needs times to percolate. But, I'm trying to be open minded. Thank you for your kind comment, Courtney.
Oh, a feast of toes! So good. Thank you for the mention. It's always so heartening to know when a reader-writer finds The Unschool useful!
So grateful for the opportunity, Alison. I read a lot of Substack non-fiction - science, politics, storytelling - but your publication is among a select few 'how-to' writing resources in my collection. Much appreciated!
Your poem touched me deeply this morning, reading it after pausing in my early morning dog walk to gaze at the Super Moon. I tell friends that I know the balance of life better than many as I swing by it so frequently.
Early yesterday as the Super Moon approached I felt generalised anxiety and unrest. I received the text several hours later that my son and his wife had welcomed their second child, a son after an easy delivery at home on Oahu. His Hawaiian name means Splendid One. His Mandarin name means Blue Sky. He was born under the moon phase Hua,a time of planting and good fishing. He was born on the 6th anniversary of my mother's death. I like to think she gave him a little kiss to send him on his way.
Anxiety gives was ,yet again, to gratitude and awe.
This, Susan, is a precious comment. Thank you for taking time to share your morning experience, the recent gift of a new member of your family, the moon, all of it. And especially this: “I know the balance of life better than many as I swing by it so frequently.”
I’m far from a poet, but I recognize it when I see it. Wonderful EDSB. At this point in life I choose to put the questions aside. I suppose that could be interpreted in different ways, but either way I’m grateful I have the ability to make that choice.
Appreciate the comment, Rob, and I particularly like the idea of viewing, with gratitude, the ability to make a choice. As they say, there's a lot to unpack there. :)