I want to fight this with belly laughs. I want to fight by sitting together at the table, leaning close across its sharp edges. I want to fight this by taking your hand and walking together into the woods, lying shoulder to shoulder on the needled ground, gazing up through waving branches and glimpsing stars, by breathing new growth and by breathing rot, filling our noses and mouths with the truth that we are together between the two. We aren’t a line, we aren’t two poles. We’re a loop, a cycle, a season, and sometimes, the sanest work is the serious work of learning to take yourself less seriously. I want to do this together with you, but first, I need to cry.
"I just feel sad" - yes. I feel all of this so much! Thank you for your words, Julie. I'm so glad to see you back in this space . . . though I wish it were under more cheerful circumstances!
Really good to see you here, Julie! Your poem sums up the state of things so well. I'm struck by the groundedness and self-compassion in trusting yourself to stand up & carry on when you're ready, but letting yourself feel the full sad weight of it right now.
Thnank you Julie for giving voice to what I and so many others are feeling. I feel so sad, and so broken hearted, and so uncertain and fearful. I have felt like crying all day. Our lovely poem breathes life into all of the emotions I have and reminds me of the beautiful wisdom in the world, carried forth by mystics like you. I am so grateful for you and your writing.
"Forming soft commas / as we contemplate / the rest of the / sentence." This gives me chills and also rings true. I hope that the worst won't happen. But we aren't above terrible things. We aren't above suffering.
Rebekah, this is an exceptional poem. Your vision and words ring so strong and clear, true and real. Yes, we beings of privelege are often shielded from the worst of oppression and injsutice. And it seems true that those already on the margins feel the draconian effects sooner and more explicitly. "It is what we/ asked for/it is what we /deserve." Those lines are a conviction. And your ending "Pulled by the strings/we hold even now/our hands a bit looser/than before,/forming soft commas/as we contemplate/the rest of the the/sentence.." That is true cosmic creation, right there. I love your poetry, and your innate spirit that sees things clearly and even in the apocalypse, reminds us we are not alone. You are a blessing, especially today.
Lisa, I am so grateful for this space you have created with love, openness and creative spirit. What a refuge. Your poem and prompt helped me to write something this morning, perhaps the only thing that seems to make sense this day.
Storm without Shelters
^
I went to bed earlier than I anticipated last night.
I sensed a storm coming,
and my tired heart could no longer gaze out the window,
knowing that the terrible chaos of disaster
was heading this way.
^
I woke at first light,
the quiet stillness of these gentle hills
belying the wounds of earth, creature and spirit.
The hopeful dreams and sense of belonging
broken and shattered across all that I knew and believed.
^
How will I live in the ashes and debris
of tattered heart and depleted spirit,
of joyful visions crumbling to the ground?
How will I love in the fire and fury,
when hate seems to have the last word?
^
I prayed we had left these shadows behind,
confined to history and stories of old.
But the ghosts of oppression rise again,
death eaters and dementors scouring the land,
and Harry Potter nowhere to be found.
^
Let this poem be an invitation.
May we sit together in this quiet and grief,
May our hearts slowly open to the music we all know is true,
May we hear beyond our own bodies and minds,
May we find each other, again, in the center of the storm.
"May we fine each other, again, in the center of the storm" - what a beautiful prayer. That's the hope I'm holding and intend to work toward, too. Thank you for your poem, Larry!
Thank you for this, Larry. I love the invitation you offer in the last stanza. It is a good day to try to "hear beyond our own bodies and minds" and find each other again -- every other, if possible.
This is beautiful and powerful, A., and resonates so dearly with my own heart in this moment. No matter how the political winds may blow, I will always send you love.
Agree, their hearths are cold. Even if they did burn, there would be no space to sit there. I too will find my own way... Beautiful poem A. Thank you. Sending love.
It was such a shock the first time, in '16 but I was certain he could never run again after the constant disaster for 4 years. But to see my "fellow Americans" put him back in that position, when we know what he will do, just makes me feel alienated in my own country. He will try to do what Victor Orban did, alter the constitution to remain in power. He will try to do many terrible things and we, as a nation, will deserve them. Ignorance is such a dangerous place from which to choose a leader. I did natzi this coming.
It is bleak as hell out here on top of the mountain in the Rockies, 23 degrees this morning, 80% humidity, we're in the middle of clouds, plenty of snow. I don't have the stomach for plowing, shoveling, putting on chains. Thanks Lisa. I am so ashamed of this man and all his followers.
The weather is gray and rainy here in Kentucky. Bleak weather feels right to me for today. I am scared about what will happen. I am also trying to center myself in our shared humanity and in the commitment to showing up with kindness and compassion, no matter what.
One man, one vote. You tried. She won in your state, at least😐. Can’t say that I did nazi it coming, but now that it’s here, we deal with it best we can.
I guess that's what we do....I don't think my wife will get out of bed today, poor thing. I feel for women most of all. To have nearly seen a page turn, to have a woman president who would have done so much good, and now we have this f***ing animal, this rapist instead, it just boggles the mind. Hi Carole. My brother just moved to Peru, good timing.
I was thinking Australia looks nice, but I have too much crap to move! My best to your wife, and I’m sure you be there as her best supporter. Someday there will be a woman president—just not yet.
Someday. Well, men have done such a great job up to this point I can't imagine why women would want to take a stab at running the show. and this is where I put a winky face emoji or a "I am being very f***ing sarcastic" emoji. God, I feel so bitter and ten years of childhood abuse come roaring back at me so I have to step back. Take care Carole. Wes
Oh, Weston, those last sentences hurt my heart. That makes sense. Seeing an abuser in power can pull up every memory of abuse or cruelty we've ever suffered. I'm sending wishes for healing and peace your way, even with this turbulence in the world.
Your poem really sums it up. I have plans to rest as much as possible today and be really gentle with myself. I have craft club at the library tonight, and I'm going to go and colour with my friends.
I love how most of this poem felt (to me) sort of lofty and abstract and then you landed in something so raw and real. It really drove home the impact of the ending for me. And I am all for people feeling their feelings (though sometimes I temporarily forget that when it's me, experiencing something unpleasant).
No matter the election results, if we are able to read and post here on Substack, then we undoubtedly have a lot to be grateful for! I'm grateful for you, Billy.
Abundant love to you Larry. You are a blessing too, just not as much as Lisa because this is her rodeo. 🤪 seriously, you and all of the folks on this page are wonderful. I get the disappointment and the sense of loss and even grief but I will just hold fast to my belief that God has my back. Always. No matter who is in control in our world, He has a plan and it is for good. So I’m going to remain joyous, hopeful, blessed. I won’t let anyone steal my joy.
Thank you so much Lisa. Of all that I have read this morning, this has touched me the most. I would love to take a walk and breathe into the forest with you. I'll move alongside with you from way up north here. Thank you for being Lisa Jensen.
I found this song right after the 2016 election. It helped me so much then, and does the same today. The incomparable Carrie Newcomer inspired by Parker Palmer, two beings of peace. https://carrienewcomer.substack.com/p/sanctuary
Wow, that quote from Rebecca Solnit in the post!! "The fact that we cannot save everything does not mean we cannot save anything and everything we can save is worth saving." Yes, yes, yes. I want to live that.
What a gorgeous song! And what a lovely synchronicity . . . so many times, I've had the thought that I need to pick up and read a book by Parker Palmer. That thought crossed my mind again this morning, and now you share this. I guess I'd better go grab that book!
I went to bed concerned last Tuesday and slept fitfully, checking the news on my phone off and on all night. Am still in disbelief that we are in this place, AGAIN. I have relied on the thoughts and words of common minded folks (of which there are few in my real life circle here in central Arkansas) to grieve, cry, rest, regroup and let our hope and light shine.
I thought I would share this prayer by Nadia Bolz-Weber which seems a poem in it's own right....
A prayer for getting through this Monday
Nadia Bolz-Weber
Nov 11, 2024
Dear God,
There’s so much to fear right now that I’m sort of losing track of what to worry about most.
So I’m gonna need some help focusing.
Show me what is MINE to do.
Then grant me the strength to do it, and the humility to rest knowing it is enough.
Help me remember that even if there is more to worry about in life right now, it does not mean that there is less to love in life right now.
So protect every inch of our joy, Lord.
And if you could help me stop reading shit on the internet, that might really help too.
Hello Lisa and everyone. Its been awhile since I visited. Yet poetry at this time is a blessed relief. Here is my offering.
.
I just feel sad…
I feel for women, our bodies, our lives.
I feel for our environment, ecosystems, and our planet.
I feel for the immigrants, people of color, anyone who is different.
I feel the bombastic hatred that has been spewed and I ask why?
I don’t understand, I don’t think I ever will.
I was hoping for a change that would bring us more together.
I was hoping for simple kindness and caring.
I was hoping we were ready.
I was hoping…
Yes, I will stand up.
I will carry on.
I will still be me.
I will still speak truth.
I will live from love.
For now,
I just feel sad…
"I just feel sad" - yes. I feel all of this so much! Thank you for your words, Julie. I'm so glad to see you back in this space . . . though I wish it were under more cheerful circumstances!
Really good to see you here, Julie! Your poem sums up the state of things so well. I'm struck by the groundedness and self-compassion in trusting yourself to stand up & carry on when you're ready, but letting yourself feel the full sad weight of it right now.
Thanks Rebekah! Appreciate your words and the acknowledgement of letting myself feel the sadness. I am touched by that.
Thnank you Julie for giving voice to what I and so many others are feeling. I feel so sad, and so broken hearted, and so uncertain and fearful. I have felt like crying all day. Our lovely poem breathes life into all of the emotions I have and reminds me of the beautiful wisdom in the world, carried forth by mystics like you. I am so grateful for you and your writing.
My thoughts are fairly apocalyptic this morning. Here goes:
.
At long last we will be
quitting our quarters
for the mess. It is what we
asked for, it is what we
deserve – to claim
our birthright as true
children of Earth.
Let us also be hungry
and cold, let us be
bombed and broken.
Let it happen here
as everywhere,
pulled by the strings
we hold even now,
our hands a bit looser
than before,
forming soft commas
as we contemplate
the rest of the
sentence.
"Forming soft commas / as we contemplate / the rest of the / sentence." This gives me chills and also rings true. I hope that the worst won't happen. But we aren't above terrible things. We aren't above suffering.
Powerful poem Rebekah! Eating humble pie. What seeds have we sewn here? So true, what is the rest of the sentence?
Rebekah, this is an exceptional poem. Your vision and words ring so strong and clear, true and real. Yes, we beings of privelege are often shielded from the worst of oppression and injsutice. And it seems true that those already on the margins feel the draconian effects sooner and more explicitly. "It is what we/ asked for/it is what we /deserve." Those lines are a conviction. And your ending "Pulled by the strings/we hold even now/our hands a bit looser/than before,/forming soft commas/as we contemplate/the rest of the the/sentence.." That is true cosmic creation, right there. I love your poetry, and your innate spirit that sees things clearly and even in the apocalypse, reminds us we are not alone. You are a blessing, especially today.
Chills. But I agree that it rings true. “Pulled by the strings we hold even now”
Lisa, I am so grateful for this space you have created with love, openness and creative spirit. What a refuge. Your poem and prompt helped me to write something this morning, perhaps the only thing that seems to make sense this day.
Storm without Shelters
^
I went to bed earlier than I anticipated last night.
I sensed a storm coming,
and my tired heart could no longer gaze out the window,
knowing that the terrible chaos of disaster
was heading this way.
^
I woke at first light,
the quiet stillness of these gentle hills
belying the wounds of earth, creature and spirit.
The hopeful dreams and sense of belonging
broken and shattered across all that I knew and believed.
^
How will I live in the ashes and debris
of tattered heart and depleted spirit,
of joyful visions crumbling to the ground?
How will I love in the fire and fury,
when hate seems to have the last word?
^
I prayed we had left these shadows behind,
confined to history and stories of old.
But the ghosts of oppression rise again,
death eaters and dementors scouring the land,
and Harry Potter nowhere to be found.
^
Let this poem be an invitation.
May we sit together in this quiet and grief,
May our hearts slowly open to the music we all know is true,
May we hear beyond our own bodies and minds,
May we find each other, again, in the center of the storm.
"May we fine each other, again, in the center of the storm" - what a beautiful prayer. That's the hope I'm holding and intend to work toward, too. Thank you for your poem, Larry!
I feel this all the way through. Your words are my words. Appreciate the last line, May we find each other, again, in the center of the storm."
Thank you for this, Larry. I love the invitation you offer in the last stanza. It is a good day to try to "hear beyond our own bodies and minds" and find each other again -- every other, if possible.
Thank you Rebekah! I love ❤️ that rephrasing: Every other”. Thank you!
https://themany1.bandcamp.com/track/dear-donald
Hick, just found this today! The Many are amazing and I like their music!
This is what I've got today.
.
I've used countless words to describe
the ways my heart hurts, and I'm tired
of trying to find another way to say it
so that it might be heard by those who
continually reframe it to suit their own
purpose. It doesn't matter how fervent
our pleas, they seem determined to put
themselves first, ignoring that worst
keeps coming to worst, but it matters
to me. Maybe someday they will see,
but I am not waiting for them anymore.
This door is closed, and so I won't stay
to look for a window; it is brighter out here,
and anyway, their hearths are cold.
"It is brighter out here." And so exhausting to try over and over to explain yourself. I'm so grateful for you and everyone in this space!
So deeply grateful for you, too. 🧡
This is beautiful and powerful, A., and resonates so dearly with my own heart in this moment. No matter how the political winds may blow, I will always send you love.
Received and reciprocated. 🧡
Their hearths are cold. Gut punch, but so good.
Agree, their hearths are cold. Even if they did burn, there would be no space to sit there. I too will find my own way... Beautiful poem A. Thank you. Sending love.
Love to you, Julie. 🧡
It was such a shock the first time, in '16 but I was certain he could never run again after the constant disaster for 4 years. But to see my "fellow Americans" put him back in that position, when we know what he will do, just makes me feel alienated in my own country. He will try to do what Victor Orban did, alter the constitution to remain in power. He will try to do many terrible things and we, as a nation, will deserve them. Ignorance is such a dangerous place from which to choose a leader. I did natzi this coming.
It is bleak as hell out here on top of the mountain in the Rockies, 23 degrees this morning, 80% humidity, we're in the middle of clouds, plenty of snow. I don't have the stomach for plowing, shoveling, putting on chains. Thanks Lisa. I am so ashamed of this man and all his followers.
The weather is gray and rainy here in Kentucky. Bleak weather feels right to me for today. I am scared about what will happen. I am also trying to center myself in our shared humanity and in the commitment to showing up with kindness and compassion, no matter what.
One man, one vote. You tried. She won in your state, at least😐. Can’t say that I did nazi it coming, but now that it’s here, we deal with it best we can.
I guess that's what we do....I don't think my wife will get out of bed today, poor thing. I feel for women most of all. To have nearly seen a page turn, to have a woman president who would have done so much good, and now we have this f***ing animal, this rapist instead, it just boggles the mind. Hi Carole. My brother just moved to Peru, good timing.
I was thinking Australia looks nice, but I have too much crap to move! My best to your wife, and I’m sure you be there as her best supporter. Someday there will be a woman president—just not yet.
Someday. Well, men have done such a great job up to this point I can't imagine why women would want to take a stab at running the show. and this is where I put a winky face emoji or a "I am being very f***ing sarcastic" emoji. God, I feel so bitter and ten years of childhood abuse come roaring back at me so I have to step back. Take care Carole. Wes
Oh, Weston, those last sentences hurt my heart. That makes sense. Seeing an abuser in power can pull up every memory of abuse or cruelty we've ever suffered. I'm sending wishes for healing and peace your way, even with this turbulence in the world.
Thank you, as always. And that photo of boy + puppy is just heart warming. May we all find a moment to snuggle someone.
Make America Snuggly Again!
Beer might get cheaper
Unless you buy imported.
That's 'bout all i got.
Yay for all the excellent American beers out there!
Just going through the stages of grief right now. I guess I better hurry to “acceptance.”
I wanted to say the exact same thing as Larry - no rush. We're here for you.
No Hurry, Carole. You have lots of good company.
Well, one half of the population is a starter, I guess.
I heartily agree!
Your poem really sums it up. I have plans to rest as much as possible today and be really gentle with myself. I have craft club at the library tonight, and I'm going to go and colour with my friends.
Coloring with friends sounds like the best possible thing to do today. 💙
This is how I feel too. Thank you.
Thank you for sharing that with me, Sue. ❤️
I am too crushed to contribute.
I can understand that. I’m sending love your way.
The chirality of my Gemini rising
Can embrace more than two
Scripted levels of grief, yet
Stages one and two
Occupy my emotions
Facing each other
Left hand on top right
In meditation violating
Sacred traditions of Theravada
Traditions
Scripted behavior
Find tolerance and love
Peace, internal peace
Blocking out one’s emotions
For peace and harmony
Closer to non-existence
I’m pissed
I have no shame
For feeling
A natural emotion
I love how most of this poem felt (to me) sort of lofty and abstract and then you landed in something so raw and real. It really drove home the impact of the ending for me. And I am all for people feeling their feelings (though sometimes I temporarily forget that when it's me, experiencing something unpleasant).
Whoever won, I’d wake up the same way:
Mutter praises to God as you first awaken
Unsure of your whereabouts
Even in confusion
Let praise for God
Spill from your lips
Wipe sleep from your eyes
And stretch long
“Thank you Lord”
“Thank you for this day”
“Thank you for my life”
“Thank you for my family”
“Thank you for your creation”
“Thank you for your love”
No matter the election results, if we are able to read and post here on Substack, then we undoubtedly have a lot to be grateful for! I'm grateful for you, Billy.
Much love to you Lisa. You are a true blessing.
Thank you Billy, for this testimony of faith that transcends the politics and the powerful. God bless you.
Abundant love to you Larry. You are a blessing too, just not as much as Lisa because this is her rodeo. 🤪 seriously, you and all of the folks on this page are wonderful. I get the disappointment and the sense of loss and even grief but I will just hold fast to my belief that God has my back. Always. No matter who is in control in our world, He has a plan and it is for good. So I’m going to remain joyous, hopeful, blessed. I won’t let anyone steal my joy.
Ummm, I will definitely arm wrestle you over that whole I'm-more-of-a-blessing nonsense. 😂 But absolutely enjoy your joy, Billy.
Thank you so much Lisa. Of all that I have read this morning, this has touched me the most. I would love to take a walk and breathe into the forest with you. I'll move alongside with you from way up north here. Thank you for being Lisa Jensen.
Thank YOU for being, my birthday brother!
It my honor and blessing!
I love this, Lisa. So clear and lovely and sad.
I want to return to your prompt; for now, I'm just grateful for your poem.
Thank you so much, Margaret Ann. I'm grateful for you! ❤️
I found this song right after the 2016 election. It helped me so much then, and does the same today. The incomparable Carrie Newcomer inspired by Parker Palmer, two beings of peace. https://carrienewcomer.substack.com/p/sanctuary
Wow, that quote from Rebecca Solnit in the post!! "The fact that we cannot save everything does not mean we cannot save anything and everything we can save is worth saving." Yes, yes, yes. I want to live that.
What a gorgeous song! And what a lovely synchronicity . . . so many times, I've had the thought that I need to pick up and read a book by Parker Palmer. That thought crossed my mind again this morning, and now you share this. I guess I'd better go grab that book!
Lisa, Parker’s book “healing the heart of Democracy”. Is one of the most I insightful and amazing books I have ever read!
Thank you! Then I'll start there since I hadn't made up my mind yet which book to read.
I went to bed concerned last Tuesday and slept fitfully, checking the news on my phone off and on all night. Am still in disbelief that we are in this place, AGAIN. I have relied on the thoughts and words of common minded folks (of which there are few in my real life circle here in central Arkansas) to grieve, cry, rest, regroup and let our hope and light shine.
I thought I would share this prayer by Nadia Bolz-Weber which seems a poem in it's own right....
A prayer for getting through this Monday
Nadia Bolz-Weber
Nov 11, 2024
Dear God,
There’s so much to fear right now that I’m sort of losing track of what to worry about most.
So I’m gonna need some help focusing.
Show me what is MINE to do.
Then grant me the strength to do it, and the humility to rest knowing it is enough.
Help me remember that even if there is more to worry about in life right now, it does not mean that there is less to love in life right now.
So protect every inch of our joy, Lord.
And if you could help me stop reading shit on the internet, that might really help too.
Amen.