Category: Tenneson Woolf Poetry

The photo — Kauai. Last year. That kind of flow opens me. That kind of company too (xo Dana).

Poetry this morning, about flow. And trusting the moment. And following joy. And loving others. And, and….

One moment at a time.
You, and I, we don’t need to combine and fix all the other moments together
as if there would be impressive efficiency and completion.
One moment, this moment, is enough, is plenty.

Especially when you, and I, we start with joy.
Joy has this way of blossoming with vigor,
and shaking the crusty dirty away and opening to the vibrant heart of new life.
Joy is reliable, and generally pretty available.

Watch for others that can be in the joy also — that’s key.
The other grownups, the other kids, the old friends, the person on the train that makes brief eye contact.
The dogs chasing balls in the park, the cats meowing for treats.
Joy with others has this way of swelling and affirming toward, well, more joy.

Here’s the crux of it — Life seems to claim you, and me, us dancing.
Or sometimes you, and me, us in the overdue heavy lifting.
Life can’t not flow. 
It insists with such kindness in this moment, and then the next, “I got you. Let’s go.”

One of my favorite poems is Mary Oliver‘s Instructions for Living A Life. I’ve used it often to remind myself of, and to invite others to, some values-based simplicity and practice.

Writes Oliver,

Pay attention.
Be astonished.
Tell about it.

Yes.

This morning, I found my journaling to have a similar tone. Of reminder and of invitation.

More Instructions for Living A Life (thx Mary Oliver)

No defaulting (or try to reduce it)
to someone else’s pain, suffering, or limits.

Compassion, yes.
Understanding, yes.
Kindness, yes.
A helping hand that goes the extra mile, yes.

But don’t live loyal to something not yours. 
Beware of that unconscious yet persistent recruitment.

Get on with the wonder that is.

Last post, pre-Christmas.
I’ve been reflecting on the magic and importance of good company.
For the dreams we carry, the yearnings, the longings, the imaginative streaks.
And for the days when we just need a friend with kind eyes and helping heart.

May we each know, learn, celebrate such dreams, such friendships.

I have learned some 
xxxabout what it is to dream.
To have ideas.
To feel excitement.
To follow hunches.

To choose to start, and continue.
To trust clarity from the belly.
To let go of plans
To surrender to a greater flow.

Perhaps you have too.

I have learned some 
xxxabout what it is to feel doubt amidst dreams. 
Why bother?
This is silly!
Why persist?

Perhaps you have too?

I have learned some 
xxxabout the good medicine of good company.
Daring to disclose the sacred and the private.
Finding each other, you in my dreams and me in yours.
Imagining a sharedness.

I have learned some 
xxxabout feeling aliveness together.
Animated in shared learning.
In added wonder. 
In honest laughter.

I have learned some 
xxxabout what it is to be moved by life.
To be excited by possibility.
To be compelled.
To be claimed.

Perhaps you have too?