Category: Tenneson Woolf Poetry

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Poetry That Explores Meaning

At this time of year, in the northern hemisphere where I live, the darkness of the night lengthens. We approach the winter solstice. Many traditions honor the depth of the darkness, a time to go inner, to rest, to clarify, to let go, to live by the simple light of candle, to be quiet.

This time of year often turns me to poetry. My own. And poems written by others (Marge Piercy has been moving my heart lately). This time of year often moves me to explore meaning.

So, some words below. A poem. I love experimenting with the shape of poems. With repeated structure. With brevity.

Thx for reading.

I write
so that I can dwell
on what is moving
within me and around me.

I ask questions
anticipating
aliveness and newness
that nudge me and us to the dance floor.

I listen
so regularly brought
to shared tears and laughter
by the stories we whisper to each other.

I celebrate
a life
abundant
with gifts.

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On Living Wander These Days

In my young 60s, I’m finding that there is a different way of being that has come to get me.

It’s a bit confusing. But perhaps quite natural.

The 20s are so much about being formed — school and jobs and income. Early family. In all, I was rewarded for my tenacity.

The 30s and 40s are so much about discovering craft and contribution — finding place, promotion. Growing in gift.

The 50s, well this is often a honing time — a dance between what has been consistently important in our earlier times, with what is now changing and stripping away from clutter.

My 60s, I’m finding, have come to get me with not just a frivolous way of wander, but rather, with an imperative. And often leading with joy.

All of that leads me to this mornings poem.

I wander.
This is what I do.
It is what I prefer.

I like moving, 
my mind and my heart particularly, 
with fluidity. 

I like feeling guided
aaa by water and by river banks.

It hasn’t always been this way.
I’ve also loved commitment to one task,
and tenacity pushed to get things done.

But these days, in my young 60s,
there is new meaning, purpose,
and calling.

I so much love and need to flow.
aaa To choose wander as the way I live and contribute.

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Some Advice I Once Gave Myself

I’ve been journaling for decades. Sometimes paragraphs. Sometimes sentences. Sometimes a light word salad.

I’ve now been prosing much of that journaling over the last ten years. I like seeing it take shape. I like the invitation to find brevity and commonness.

Here’s a recent insight (which is to say, a familiar insight that keeps coming round — a bit like a dog faithfully retrieving the tennis ball tossed in the field).

Think of it as game plan. Maybe for the day, because, well, it’s today. Maybe for the week, some lingering. Maybe for each time the joyful dog that is Life returns with wagging tail and spitty drool to retrieve one more toss).

The basics,
they come ‘round, pretty often,
to give needed advice.

Most often, gentle.
Sometimes a slap.

“Trust your gut.”
“Be kind.”
“Stay clear, simple.”
Sometimes, “Fuck it.”

I suppose I oughta listen better.

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A Joy In All

A bow to my friend Elif, who last week spoke the term, “unrushable.”

A bow to my friend Christina, who long ago differentiated “speed” from “pace”.

All of that to stir this Fall, Monday reflection in me.

I no longer want to move so fast, so often.
I no longer want to move as if trying to catch up from being behind.
Some days, sure.
But all days, no.

I want to move with natural and calm flow, the way the creek moves.
I want to open with satisfaction and joy, the way the sunflower opens.

It’s inner, all the subtle awarenesses.
It’s outer, all the human sustenance things.

A
joy
in
all.

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Gifts of Circle - Question Cardsasd
Gifts of Circle is 30 short essays divided into 4 sections: 1) Circle's Bigger Purpose, 2) Circle's Practice, 3) Circle's First Requirements, and 4) Circle's Possibility for Men. From the Introduction: "Circle is what I turn to in the most comprehensive stories I know -- the stories of human beings trying to be kind and aware together, trying to make a difference in varied causes for which we need to go well together. Circle is also what I turn to in the most immediate needs that live right in front of me and in front of most of us -- sharing dreams and difficulties, exploring conflicts and coherences. Circle is what I turn to. Circle is what turns us to each other."

Question Cards is an accompanying tool to Gifts of Circle. Each card (34) offers a quote from the corresponding chapter in the book, followed by sample questions to grow your Circle hosting skills and to create connection, courage, and compassionate action among groups you host in Circle.

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asd
In My Nature is a collection of 10 poems. From A Note of Beginning: "This collection of poems arises from the many conversations I've been having about nature. Nature as guide. Nature as wild. Nature as organized. I remain a human being that so appreciates a curious nature in people. That so appreciates questions that pick fruit from inner being, that gather insights and intuitions to a basket, and then brings the to table to be enjoyed and shared over the next week."

This set of Note Cards (8 cards + envelopes)  quotes a few favorite passages from poems in In My Nature. I offer them as inspiration. And leave room for you to write personal notes.

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asd
Most Mornings is a collection of 37 poems. I loved writing them. From the introduction: "This collection of poems comes from some of my sense-making that so often happens in the morning, nurtured by overnight sleep. The poems sample practices. They sample learnings. They sample insights and discoveries. They sample dilemmas and concerns."

This set of Note Cards (8 cards + envelopes)  quotes a few favorite passages from poems in Most Mornings. I offer them as inspiration. And leave room for you to write personal notes.

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