Poetry for Ordinary Time - with Parker J. Palmer

This week, sharing here something written by author, speaker, thinker and teacher, Parker J. Palmer, and shared on his Facebook page:

Photograph taken near
Mirror, Alberta

The Winter Woods

The winter woods beside a solemn

river are twice seen --

once as they pierce the brittle air,

once as they dance in grace beneath the stream.

In air these trees stand rough and raw,

branch angular in stark design,

disconnect as in a dream,

shadowy but more alive

than what stands stiff and cold before our eyes.

Our eyes at peace are solemn streams

and twice the world itself is seen --

once as it is outside our heads,

once as it undulates and shines

beneath the silent waters of our minds.

When rivers churn or cloud with ice

the world is not seen twice -- 

yet still is there beneath

the blinded surface of the stream,

livelier and lovelier than we can comprehend

and waiting, always waiting, to be seen.

In his preamble to the poem, Mr. Palmer states, "It's so easy to look but not see."  In the same way, it is easy to listen but not truly hear.  This is why time spent in Generous Listening -- such as we practiced here last year, and as will be taught and practiced in an up-coming workshop in Calgary (January 20 and 21) -- is so very important.  Workshop registration closed Wednesday, but if you still want to go, contact ctubman@calgary.anglican.ca or call (587) 320-1343.  If you are meant to be there, God will make a way.  :-)