After the bomb went off,
after parts of the building
fell about her, once everything
was still, she lifted her broken
body from the rubble, gasping
for air.
This is how it is with sudden
explosions. Like when your parents
broke lamps and tables before leaving,
and after parts of your home fell about
you, you stared through the broken
window, not sure where to go.
This is how I dusted off the debris
of almost dying to cough my way
into tomorrow.
And in the hours after Hiroshima
was devastated, a half-burned man
crawled to the tower that somehow
was still standing and rang the
bell for those who were left,
uttering, “We are still here.”
A Question to Walk With: Journal about the story of someone who lived their way through adversity that you admire. A week later, tell this story to someone else.
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
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.
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.