The Secret of Repair

It can’t be helped. Patterns cover
the mind, like moss that blankets
the floor of the forest.

The way things were or the way
we’d like them to be overlay
what it means to be alive.

And so, we have to put our face
in the sun and rake our way through
what keeps covering our soul: be it
someone else’s dream for us or
our fear of never being enough.

The secret of repair that monks
and tired warriors knew is that
the sigh that lets the bird fly
from our heart also lets the
peace of centuries in.

A Question to Walk With: Describe a pattern in your life that is hard for you to break. What is keeping you from putting it down? What would help you?

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

Upcoming in 2025!!!!

Jan 5, 12, Feb 2, 2025 1-2:30pm ET/10-11:30am PT The Fire of Aliveness Three-session webinar guided by Mark 1-2:30pm ET/10-11:30am PT. Find out more at Live.MarkNepo.com

NEW DATE! Jan 8 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. 

RESCHEDULED! Jan 24 – 26: You Don’t Have to Do It Alone: The Power of Friendship, weekend retreat, at Mercy By the Sea, 167 Neck Rd, Madison, CT.  For more information or to register, click here. ✅

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.  

Nov 7-9:, You Don’t Have to Do It Alone: The Net of Friendship weekend retreat presented by Harmony Hill at the Retreat Center at the Palisades in Federal Way, WA. Click here for information on registering.