Tonight I can laugh at the part of me
who thinks she should know
the right thing to do, the right thing to say.
Meanwhile, the rest of me
wakes up each morning in wonder,
marveling at the quickly changing world.
Every morning this second self practices
how to bathe, how to dress. Even now she is practicing
how to write a poem, how to make breakfast,
what to say to her friends, family, herself.
She knows there are so many ways to do it right.
Every moment contains invitations
she’s never noticed before. Sometimes
she practices saying nothing at all.
If you see her lingering beside the road,
it is because she is practicing how to walk
how to see. She used to know, of course,
but now she can’t seem to take anything
for granted, how to drink tea,
how to walk into a room, it’s all new,
how to weep, how to smile.
Zen Self, Beginner’s Self.
There are so many springboards you’ve written in this poem: The opening stanza; “She knows there are so many ways to do it right.”; “Every moment contains invitations she’s never noticed before..”; “…she can’t seem to take anything for granted,..”
There’s a quiet stillness and mindfulness, here. A depth. Mucky fecundity.
I fiercely love this poem. After folks find the poem waiting in their inboxes, its lovers will metastasize. Such beauty, such marvelous wonder and assuredness, and such a polestar you’ve brought unto our paths.
Thank you, deeply beloved one. Thank you.
Oh Eduardo, you, my friend, you help me think it’s so worth it, this daily poeming, even if you’re the only one who reads them. I am crazy grateful for you.
Very nice! Thank you.
thank you, Suez!
So beautifully expressed and so much we can relate to here. We have hope in the beginning again opportunities presented to us in how we act, react, live and love each day. It’s a gift that fosters deeper gratitude for the holy ordinary mundanity itself. You write about it with style and grace. Quite captivating. ❤️
thank you, Joy! I am so grateful for your comments here. So encouraging. Such a gift to me.
You’re welcome, Rosemerry! I love your work and am so thankful to have discovered your blog. It’s an oasis of soul refreshment. May God bless and equip you to keep on keeping on. 😊💜
oh Joy, thank you for the joy you bring me! thank you for the blessings.
Thank you for being a part of my life. I am practicing a lot lately.
Ru, I am so happy to be in these poetic conversations with you! Yes, so much practicing. Meeeee tooooooooooo.