Category: Tenneson Woolf Poetry

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On Sorrow

This one has been sitting in my inbox for a while. It’s the 13th Century Persian, Hafiz (translated by Daniel Ladinsky). Thx to my friend Katharine for her post — I got the Hafiz poem there.

I’m drawn to the invitation inherent in this poem — to have a relationship with sorrow. Shame might be part of that relationship. But there is room for so much more. An inner and personal journey might be part of that relationship. But there is room for so much more when we recognize the universal nature of sorrow. We grow through our life’s experience. If we are lucky, with some good people to listen and reflect. If we are lucky, through a sorrow that teaches what we couldn’t otherwise know.

On sorrow…

It is not possible to complete yourself
without sorrow.

Sorrow is a vital ingredient that shapes
the heart and enriches it.

So endure sadness the best you can
when its season comes.

That rain that can fall from your eye
brings life to a field,

an on other days when you laugh,
a sun takes birth in a sky you will
someday know.

See how all the elements are inside of
you.

See how your soul is a sire of light.

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One Moment, This Moment — Start With Joy

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.”

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An Addendum, Mary Oliver

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.

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What It Is To Dream

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?

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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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