Posted on by Tenneson Woolf

Small Pleasures

Thx to my friend Jeremy who shared this poem recently. The words of the poet, James Crews move me. This living juxtaposed with cruelty and kindness, with “bonfire of fears” and “scent of peonies” — well, this is the discipline of the open heart, isn’t it. And the invitation. And the insistence.

And Jeremy, well, it’s good to have soul brothers. That share the fire and share the bouquet.

Enjoy.

Small Pleasures
James Crews

Some nights, the ache in your chest
for all that’s wrong in your life,
for all the cruelty of this world,
will wake you with its crackling
bonfire of fears. But other nights,
you will fall asleep to the scent
of peonies left breathing in a vase
on the dresser, that bouquet of burst-
open hearts the last thing you see
before closing your eyes. You live, 
as we all do, between the extremes, 
learning to lean in the direction 
of whatever small pleasures you can 
gather from your own backyard.

8 Replies to “Small Pleasures”

  2. A lovely prayer for peace. I love the reminder how peonies by my bedside can be the last thing my eyes see before sleep.
    Hmmm…what is at our bedside tables?

    Reply

    1. Love your question Gabriela. Both for the literal bedside table (for me, a couple of books, a card from my sweetie, a candle, a lamp — things that helps me to see and feel, to rest with rest). And the figurative table (inspiration, light, tender expressions and hopes, reminders). 🙂

      Reply

  4. I needed to read this on the day we celebrate the birth of our Nation !
    Holding both joy & sorrow in our weary hands 🤍❤️💙

    Reply

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