May282010
By Valerie on May 28, 2010
I generally try and post original poems, but this one by Czeslaw Milosz really got to me, and seems to fit in with the themes of acceptance and gratitude that have been rolling around this site the last few weeks. I thought I’d post it and see where the poetic conversation went, maybe even post a poem in reply myself.
* * *
The Gift
A day so happy.
The fog lifted early, I worked in the garden.
Hummingbirds were stopping over the honeysuckle flowers.
There was no thing on earth I wanted to posses.
I knew no one worth my envying him.
Whatever evil I had suffered, I forgot.
To think that once I was the same man did not embarass me.
In my body I felt no pain.
When straightening up, I saw the blue sea and sails.
* * *
Taken from: Risking Everything – 110 Poems of Love and Revelation edited by Roger Housden
Posted in sohbet Tagged acceptance, beauty, gratitude, interactive poetry, peace
May282010
By Valerie on May 28, 2010
Three things have been central in my brain this week:
First, reading James Frey’s A Million Little Pieces. A book about addiction and recovery and so far mostly him ranting about how much he doesn’t like The Twelve Steps. I figure anything that gets you thinking about being in the moment (taking one day at a time) and recognizing maybe you aren’t in control of everything can’t be half bad. Secondly, conversation around the article I posted last week about perception and saying thank you for everything that comes your way (not just the stuff you think you want). Thirdly, the fact I’m having a really shitty week, so that whole saying thank you crap is a bit of a challenge.
Recognizing my “addiction” is arguing with reality, in the spirit of rehab, here’s my “Just for Today” affirmation: Continue reading »
Posted in philosophizing Tagged acceptance, affirmations, humour, peace, reality, twelve steps
May212010
By Valerie on May 21, 2010
It’s all about perception.
Case One: Walking down by the river with my nephew, goose poop everywhere. I think, “What a frickin mess! You can hardly walk through this shit.” – literally. My nephew shouts: “It’s a maze!” and starts weaving along the path doing a goose-poop slalom. It’s all in how you see it.
Case Two: I’ve been: a) hanging out with highly trained professionals chatting about things like the law of diminishing returns and thermodynamics and b) trying to build a writing career in a world of literaries, journalists, and media gurus. I think perhaps I am a total clueless rookie idiot completely faking it in a world I feel grossly unqualified to be in. The secret truth… Continue reading »
Posted in philosophizing Tagged acceptance, goose poop, gratitude, perception
Apr262010
By Valerie on April 26, 2010
Sitting at the supper table with my brother
Laughing ’til we can’t breathe
Thirty years
Thousands of miles
Some things never change
Posted in sohbet Tagged family, interactive poetry, laughter, life, love
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