Human to Human

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Flow Game Cards & Clarity

I host Flow Game to bring clarity. For myself. For others. All of us, giving it a go together.

I host Flow Game because it creates bridging what is inner with what is outer. Inner longing, passion, wonder. Inner worry, consternation, struggle. With outer circumstance, projects, deadlines, happenings, family, community, teams.

I host Flow Game because it honors a dear friend, Toke. To celebrate his contributions to Flow Game. Which is to say, his contributions to a joyful and potent inquiry.

Yesterday’s Flow Game Cards — there were three that guided. Perhaps they can inspire you too, as you think about a current situation important to you.

Earth — Tell one story from your roots. Why is this story rising now?
North — What inspires your courage?
Earth — When are you able to hear what nature is whispering to you?

These Flow Game cards led me to a story of my grandparents. And then, how much I appreciate supportive people in their artistry, creativity, and wonder. And then, that extra moment yesterday, sitting on our front porch watching birds come and go from our bird feeder.

I host Flow Game, to add to a sense of well-being, to nuance understanding, and to feel joy and insight.

For clarity of all that.

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Advice For A Young Poet

A couple of weeks ago a young man asked me for advice on writing a poem. He was celebrating a milestone and wanted to offer something to his sweetheart. I was flattered that he asked. I offered simple advice (which then helped me to see more of the complex in my writing). And off he went, writing. Creating. Crafting.

  1. Stay Simple
    It doesnt’ have to be long or complicated. Well, this is so often my preference in my poems. I love reading others that claim their simple.
    qw
  2. Come From Your Heart
    Be honest in what you say and declare. It might not even make sense to others (hmmm…, be willing to be misunderstood…). But make sure you are as honest with yourself, in that moment as you can be. Heart is recognizable beyond words.
    as
  3. Experiment With Structure
    I love this experiment,
    playing with how poetry looks on the page.

    Sentences each
    with only
    two words.

    Or call-back repeat lines that bookend a poem.
    I love this experiment.
    as
  4. Enjoy What You Write
    Less fret. More celebration. Let it be what it is in the moment. I’ve written of William Stafford previously, and the story of him writing a poem every day for thirty years. When asked, what do you do if you write a crappy poem, he replied, “I lower my standards.” Yes, celebrate the words coming through you. They might change and grow over seasons.

So, I’m glad this young man asked me. I think my words helped foster a bit of courage in him. And, it helped me to make visible some things I rely on.

Poetry moves my heart.
I love to see when such offerings move others.
I love to feel invitation on a page
abe— to the things inner and the things outer.
Poetry moves my heart.

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Light Moves

Dana and I enjoyed a few days in New Mexico last week. With family, her sibs. Meals. Hikes. Games. Conversations. I’m glad for a weaving together of life laughter and joy and beauty.

Often for me, it’s moments of light that most remain in me. That move some inner light. And joy. And beauty.

This Hollyhock against the Adobe brown and red of our abode, swaying in a setting sun.
This trail at Bandelier National Monument, waking a morning of wonder amidst cave dwellings of old.
This Angel Trumpet so unabashed and unshy doing what it does neighboring our trail.

Yes, light moves. In the outer. And out of the inner. Here’s to the sway. The morning wonder. The unshy neighboring.

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Twilight Glory

James Crews Website Photo

James Crews is one of the poets that shows up weekly ish in my inbox. He has a form that I appreciate. Easy to take in. Easy to be inspired by. I like it when people write of simple things and then connect that to the not-so-simple of the human condition, interior and exterior, personal and universal.

James wrote Twilight Glory below. Recently. And, then moved by it, it stayed in my inbox for a while. Like I put it on the corner of my desk to be able to reach it easily. Which I’ve done several times.

Details for me…

“…toward the nearest inch of life…” — yup. For me, the cat. The tomatoes growing. The roses growing on the counter. The coffee to start the day.

“…emergency lurking around each new corner…” — yup, again. It’s quite exposing to acknowledge how often in this complex and many-layered subconscious that I create urgency. What is the comfort in that? That’s one of my recent inquiries with myself.

And, and.

Enjoy his poem(s).

Twilight Glory
James Crews

When wonder feels impossible,
I know I’m meant to turn toward
the nearest inch of life—the small
body of a rabbit, for instance,
resting in the grass at twilight,
ears perked for the quick footfall
of any danger. How often have I lived
like that, emergency lurking around
each new corner, fear stalking me
even on an evening walk in summer?
Tonight, I stop in the middle
of the road when I notice the waning
light pouring through the delicate
red skin of the rabbit’s ear, the way
sun illuminates a piece of stained-glass
from behind as well as from within.

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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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