Along the way, people we love
fall from the tightrope and vanish
and we wonder, why not me?
Then, there is a pandemic and
thousands cough and die with
no warning.
Or simply getting older, the view
widens but the path narrows. As
if we’re dancing on the edge of
a cliff.
But it has always been this way.
We are only now aware of it.
This is what the ancients were
honoring when they painted
their faces and danced around
the fire.
As if pain is the bark and joy
is the sap.
What other dance is there?
A Question to Walk With: In conversation with a friend or loved one, discuss the dance of life and what it feels like for you. How has your awareness of this dance come into being? When is it empowering and when is it challenging?
This is from my book of poems in progress, A Thousand Dawns.
SEPT 11: Mark Nepo in Conversation with Brooke Warner, Surviving Storms: Finding the Strength to Meet Adversity, 1-2:30PM PST/4-5:30PM EST, FREE, register at the legendary bookstore Book Passage, (web link) — online
SEPT 16-18: Friday Night Reading and Weekend Retreat (Sat and Sun), Surviving Storms: Finding the Strength to Meet Adversity, The Sophia Institute, Charleston, SC, or call 843-720-8528, (web link) — IN PERSON & ONLINE
OCT 28-30: Harmony Hill Retreat Center, Surviving Storms: Finding the Strength to Meet Adversity, A Weekend Retreat, (web link) — IN PERSON
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