The Poetry of Spring

Dear Still Water Friends,

Spring has come and the plants, trees, and people are all turning their faces to the sun.

Taking a walk, I was reminded of Mary Oliver’s poem, "What Can I Say":

What can I say that I have not said before?
So I’ll say it again.
The leaf has a song in it.
Stone is the face of patience.
Inside the river there is an unfinishable story
and you are somewhere in it
and it will never end until all ends.
 
Take your busy heart to the art museum and the
chamber of commerce
but take it also to the forest.
The song you heard singing in the leaf when you
were a child
is singing still.
I am of years lived, so far, seventy-four,
and the leaf is singing still.

Then, I was guided to "For The Future" by Wendell Berry:

Planting trees early in spring,
we make a place for birds to sing
in time to come. How do we know?
They are singing here now.
There is no other guarantee
that singing will ever be.

An hour later Dogen’s poem from 13th century Japan appeared on my computer:

Viewing Peach Blossoms and Realizing the Way

In spring wind
peach blossoms
begin to come apart.
Doubts do not grow
branches and leaves.

This Thursday evening after our meditation we will have the opportunity to share our favorite poems and stories about spring, emerging life energies, and renewal. It is also a good time to for us to ask any mindfulness practice questions and share any concerns that we have been holding on to through the winter.

You are invited to join with us.

 

Warm wishes,

Mitchell Ratner
Senior Teacher

 

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