Thought for the Day - Aug 1, 00

Subject: Thought for the Day - Aug 1, 00
From: Peter T.
Date: 01 Aug 00 - 09:12 AM

Two poems from one of the finest poets of the age, Jane Hirschfield (from her book The Lives of the Heart).

STANDING DEER

As the house of a person
in age sometimes grows cluttered
with what is
too loved or too heavy to part with,
the heart may grow cluttered.
And still the house will be emptied,
and still the heart.

As the thoughts of a person
in age sometimes grow sparer,
like a great cleanness come into a room,
the soul may grow sparer;
one sparrow song carves it completely.
And still the room is full,
and still the heart.

Empty and filled,
like the curling half-light of morning,
in which everything is still possible and so why not.

Filled and empty,
like the curling half-light of evening,
in which everything now is finished and so why not.

Beloved, what can be, what was,
will be taken from us.
I have disappointed.
I am sorry. I knew no better.

A root seeks water.
Tenderness only breaks open the earth.
This morning, out the window,
the deer stood like a blessing, then vanished.


ABUNDANT HEART


Because the pelicans circle and dive, the fish

Because the cows are fat, the rains

Because the tree is heavy with pears, the earth

Because the woman grows thin, the heart

Subject: RE: Thought for the Day - Aug 1, 00
From: bbelle
Date: 01 Aug 00 - 09:18 AM

Peter ... appropos. Thank you for submitted this.

moonchild

Subject: RE: Thought for the Day - Aug 1, 00
From: katlaughing
Date: 01 Aug 00 - 09:54 AM

Spare and so clear, Peter, sings to my heart. Thanks!

k

Subject: RE: Thought for the Day - Aug 1, 00
From: bob jr
Date: 02 Aug 00 - 02:24 AM

because those poems are what they are, zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz