At the party, I overheard you
say: “I want to help but don’t
know how.” I didn’t know you
yet, so I said nothing.
But I woke in the night wanting
to find you and say: Just pick up
the nearest blanket and look for
someone who is cold.
Or repair the thing next to you
that is broken. If you’re too tired
or weak, just close your eyes and
simply hold the unknown fate
of others in the palm of your
heart until a slow but glowing
dawn starts to rise between us.
To be the one caring gesture
that outlasts the rest allows
life to continue.
Somewhere between the
flit of a dragonfly and the
Earth turning on its axis,
we remain possible.
A Question to Walk With: In conversation with a friend or loved one, describe something that holds you back from meeting or interacting with others. What is the history of this hesitation? Is it yours or did you inherit it? What might you do to move through this hesitation?
This is from my book of poems in progress, Suchness.
Mark will be offering retreats and a few special journeys in 2024. Below are some of his offerings:
APRIL 26-28: Reading and Weekend Retreat, Saying Yes to Life: From Brokenness to Tenderness, The Sophia Institute, Charleston, SC, or call 843-720-8528
MAY 6: Drinking from the River of Light, Talk on the Creative Process, The Gilmore Festival, Kalamazoo Public Library, The Van Duesen Room, 2PM —
https://www.thegilmore.org/event/mark-nepo/
May 18–24, 2024 The Gift of Deepening and the Radiance in All Things, a weeklong retreat on a river cruise in France hosted by Global Journeys, .
https://globalj.org/the-gift-od-deepening-overview/
JUNE 28-30: Omega Institute, Rhinebeck, NY, Falling Down and Getting Up: Discovering Your Inner Resilience and Strength, Weekend Retreat, (web link)
AUG 16-18: Mercy By the Sea, 167 Neck Rd, Madison, CT, Publication Retreat centered on You Don’t Have to Do It Alone: The Net of Friendship, Fri 7-9:30PM EST Sat 9:30-5:30PM EST, Sun 9:30-12:30PM —
https://www.mercybythesea.org/events/
Sept 16–21, 2024 You Don’t Have to Do It Alone: The Power of Friendship, a Mastery Week at the Modern Elder Academy in Santa Fe, Mexico, .
https://www.meawisdom.com/workshop/the-power-of-friendship-with-mark-nepo
NOV 1-3: Harmony Hill Retreat Center, Union, WA, Weekend Retreat, You Don’t Have to Do It Alone: The Net of Friendship Contact Harmony Hill for info: https://www.harmonyhill.org/contact-connections/
Dec 8–14, Saying Yes to Life: The One Life We’re Given, a weeklong retreat in Costa Rica, hosted by Global Journeys, .
https://globalj.org/mark-nepo-costa-rica-overview/
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