The poet’s words, written and flung
into the wildness of my day
became a signpost:
“This is as far as the light
Of my understanding
Has carried me…” she had written*
in an intimate moment of generosity
on the page,
a prompt from someone
I don’t even know,
a private nod,
a poetic nudge
to begin exactly there
and follow the trail where
it would take me;
so I wandered that way—
how far has the light
of my understanding
carried me?
To writing in this room with friends,
the sound of traffic
our rushing river,
the rug beneath us
our grassy meadow,
twinkle lights on steel rafters
the heavens above us,
the rustle of writing papers
a breeze sweeping leaves,
our universe a shelter,
our hearts hurt but
healing,
hopeful.
I close my eyes and see us all
in drifts of moonlight
making our way through stars,
out where peace flows,
for we are meditating.
This—yes, this
is as far as my understanding
has carried me,
and for now,
that is far enough.
-kh-
*from “Midlife” by Julie Cadwallader Shaub
Nurture peace, cultivate kindness, and carry the calm.
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Text and photos © 2024 Karyn Henley. All rights reserved.