If
a
feather
could talk
what
would it
tell
you?
Lighten
up,
look
up,
give it
up
!
Poems for seekers
What to Feed Your Mule by Shelly
You’ll laugh,
when
I
tell
you
this…
I walked into the house just now
greeting
the Old Recliner
with
“Hi God.”
It earned a smile
on a
distant star
in an
unnamed
universe
infinite
miles
from
a nearby Kiosk.
Gosh,
If I could explain more –
you’d know what to feed
your
mule.
To Be of Use- A Memorial for Betty
(At the Memorial for Betty)
Greetings….Everyone.
For those of you who don’t know me
and for those of you who don’t recognize me; my name is Shelly.
My friendship with Betty began in 1981- 36 years ago when our family moved to Pope Valley in the old Gardner place. We were both young raising up our families.
I have not come here prepared– I was not ready for Betty’s farewell.
How can we fully prepare, for someone we love,
to take leave?
But with as much preparation as we are granted– we continue.
Betty and I shared a love of poetry.
I would like to read a poem by Mary Oliver that Betty might enjoy.
The title is “Mysteries Yes”
Truly, we live with mysteries too marvelous to be understood.
How grass can be nourishing
in the mouths of lambs.
How rivers and stones are forever in allegiance
with gravity
while we ourselves
dream of rising.
How two hands touch and the bonds
will never be broken.
How people come, from delight
or the scars of damage,
to the comfort of a poem.
Let me keep company always with those who say
“Look!” and laugh in astonishment,
and bow their heads.
In my reading this poem- I admit- I custom fit it for Betty by omitting a few sentences.
They didn’t fit. I know Betty would have approved!
Let me read them to you now…
“LET ME KEEP MY DISTANCE ALWAYS FROM THOSE WHO THINK THEY HAVE THE ANSWERS”.
I know Betty worked to close gaps- not keep distance. Betty, as I knew her, always moved directly forward. She always knew the right path by seeking the right questions.
To me….this is far greater than knowing the answers.
And now a poem that reminds me very much of Betty. The title is
“To Be Of Use” written by Marge Piercy
To Be Of Use
The people I love the best jump into work head first without dallying in the shallows
and swim off with sure strokes almost out of sight.
They seem to become natives of that element, the black sleek heads of seals bouncing like half submerged balls.
I love people who harness themselves,
an ox to a heavy cart,
who pull like water buffalo, with massive patience, who strain in the mud and the muck
to move things forward
who do what has
to be done
again
and
again.
I want to be with people who submerge in the task, who go into the fields
to harvest and work in a row
and pass the bags along,
who stand in the line
and haul in their places
who are not parlor generals or field deserters but move in a common rhythm
when the food must come in
or the fire be put out.
The work of the world is as common as mud. Botched, it smears the hands,
crumbles to dust.
But the thing worth doing well done
has a shape that satisfies, clean and evident.
Greek amphoras for wine or oil,
Hopi vessels that held corn, are put in museums but you know they were made to be used.
The pitcher cries for water to carry
and a person…
for work that is real.
In honor of you Betty……where love will always fill the gap. Thank you, thank you….Everyone.
A Poem by Wendell Berry
The Real Work It may be that when we no longer know what to do we have come to our real work, and that when we no longer know which way to go we have come to our real journey. The mind that is not baffled is not employed. The impeded stream is the one that sings. By Wendell Berry
The storm, the ship, the anchor
Some
swim
in
one
direction
and
some
swim
every
which
way.
What
do
you
do?
Today I was talking to a dear friend, a sister really. We talked about keeping inner peace. We agree we need to be a ship’s anchor, at times. When the waters rage and the sea is uneven and the ship rocks; just be the anchor. Lodge yourself down there where the ground is still under you. Just let that uneven sea storm and rage. Keep your eye on the path- even if you are in water. Keep steady -even in the midst of those near and close to you who might likely sink the ship. Keep yourself calm and let the armies of God tend the war while you keep peace in your heart; while you make certain the evilness in you doesn’t stowaway and try to pirate the ship and take all the goods.
While She Was Here
Betty became my friend 32 years ago; the minute I met her. We were both in our early 30’s. We were both living in Pope Valley bringing up a family with children.
Betty was as loyal a friend as they come.
I laugh now at how Betty always said my name: Shelly.
She said my name with an exclamation point at the end of it- or two!!
She said it as though I was to come to attention; Ten-hut Shelly!
“Shelly” was said as though I was sleeping and was being called to awaken- like breakfast had been waiting a long time for me.
Betty’s tent was worn and her time had come. The last time I saw Betty she said this to me, “Shelly!!…No one ever said we’d get out of this alive.”
Betty…!! You rest in my heart. With faith I trust you have made a camp with Jesus.
Betty had an aggressive cancerous brain tumor. After her diagnosis she had only some weeks to live here on earth. Her faith never wavered, not once. She gave me courage to love each day- no matter what. She left me with a remarkable gift- love. She left me with a chuckle – “No one ever said we’d get out of this alive!”
But-
we
can
with
His
promise
live
eternally.
Blessed are those….
Blessed
are
those
who
can
laugh
at
themselves,
for
they
shall
never
cease
to
be
amused.
We Have Not Come To Take Prisoners
We have not come here to take prisoners
but to surrender ever more deeply
to freedom and joy.
We have not come into this exquisite world
to hold ourselves hostage from love.
Run my dear,
from anything
that may not strengthen
your precious budding wings.
Run like hell my dear,
from anyone likely
to put a sharp knife
into the sacred, tender vision of
your beautiful heart.
We have a duty to befriend
those aspects of obedience
that stand outside of our house
and shout to our reason
“O please…O please,
come out and play.”
For we have not come here to take prisoners
or to confine our wondrous spirits,
But to experience ever and ever more deeply
our divine courage, freedom and
Light!
-Hafiz
Growing together
The Church of Christ might be like plants. Some plants look different than others. In a lens view you can see many differences. Still, they all belong in the same place. Maybe Jesus made us all different so we can hold different qualities, views, perspectives and opportunities. I like to think we are all put here to prevail HIS will. I like to think we compliment each other like the plants that make a garden beautiful. These creations were made to be beautiful.
What
His
will
seeks
to show us
we
can
pray
to
be shown
giving
to
Him
settling
on
His
will.
truth to tell 