Barely

They had gathered
from all over.

There was a woman
with prosthetic arms.
And a surgeon who
could barely walk.

And a grandmother
With one good eye.
And a therapist who
couldn’t stop trembling.

From a distance, we
see the broken as
less than. Until
we break.

Then, it’s clear that
they are the heroes:
crying more easily,
listening longer,
doing more with less.

They are the ones
who have been
pounded to
their beauty.

They are the ones
to learn from.

They are the ones.

A Question to Walk With: In conversation with a friend or loved one, describe someone you admire who cries more easily, listens longer, and does more with less. What would you like to learn from them?

This is from my book of poems in progress, This Slow Quick Dance. 

Mark will be offering retreats, free events, and a few special journeys in 2024. We’ve also added few new events for 2025!  

Sept 8 11am PT/2pm ET – FREE ONLINE EVENT You Don’t Have to Do It Alone: The Power of Friendship, Join Mark Nepo with Joel Fotinos in Conversation, hosted by Banyen Books & Sound. Register for this free event here.  

Sept 29 1pm PT/4pm ET: You Don’t Have to Do It Alone with Mark Nepo in Conversation with Brooke Warner, this online ticketed event is hosted by Book Passage. Register here for the zoom link. 

Nov 1-3:, You Don’t Have to Do It Alone: The Net of Friendship weekend retreat at Harmony Hill Retreat Center, Federal Way, WA. Click here for information on registering.  NEW LOCATION — The Retreat Center at the Palisades in Federal Way

Upcoming in 2025!!!!

Feb 10-15, 2025 Mastery Week: You Don’t Have to Do It Alone: The Power of Friendship, is a weeklong retreat at the Modern Elder Academy in Baja, guided by Mark Nepo and Jeff Hamaoui. Click here to get information and to register. 

May 29 – June 4, 2025 You Don’t Have to Do It Alone: The Power of Friendship is a seven day barge journey on the rivers and canals in Belgium that includes 10 sessions with Mark exploring the gift and spirit of friendship. For full details, click here. 

July 18 – 20 You Don’t Have to Do It Alone: The Power of Friendship is a 3-day retreat at Siena Retreat Center in Racine, WI. For information and to register, click here.