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Gratefulness
Inspired by Pilgrim’s question whether anyone had written an ode to libraries, I was trying to recall a poem I found this summer… something about angels hiding in the stacks at the public library and how one might be released as you slipped a book from the shelf. Although I have had no luck further untangling that thread in my mind, I did find to my delight that a poet (Nikki Giovanni) beloved to me has written THREE such poems!
Here I must pause to thank Maria Popova of...
Here I must pause to thank Maria Popova of brainpickings.org whose own deep love of libraries has led her to write several beautiful posts on the subject — including one that features these three poems.
But back to Nikki Giovanni’s poems… Some of you may see why I cannot resist quoting here the last stanza of one which is entitled “A Poem For My Librarian, Mrs. Long” and subtitled (You never know what troubled little girl needs a book):
“But there was a world Somewhere Out there And Mrs. Long opened that wardrobe But no lions or witches scared me I went through Knowing there would be Spring”
I am grateful for this sacred community where we might learn to open our hearts to grateful living in the warmth of each others company. Peace all.
Sweet smiling Manda, bless you and Jack and the rest of your family too.
Thank you, Manda, lots of love back to you. I agree, abundant hygge here.
Dear Aine, the thought of your crazy-cakes/would-be-rainbow-colored snowman with the sweet gumball eyes made me giggle. I am sending a big hug to that vibrantly creative little girl inside you.
It is marvelous that, as you say, Cintia, you had FUN doing it. Cheers!
The title of the story intrigues me. I will try to find it, thank you. Ah, ‘the scientific practice of loving everything’ is also where I start, using all my senses to pay rapt attention.
Oh, Manda, thank you for sharing the magic of your world here. I know that the trees delighted with your dancing soul. And your sweet dog, Jack, too. My dog loves it when I dance.
Hello Niels, I thank you for two things I have learned this day. First (please forgive my ignorance), what “Yehudim’ means. And second, its origin in the concept of gratitude. How beautiful. Blessings to you of ‘basking in the warmth of gratitude.’
Oh, wow, I had no idea of such an organization, Aine, thank you for sharing, I will definitely check it out! Amen to keeping books alive and out of the landfill.
I love the motto of another book-related service organization called BookCrossing… “If you love a book, set it free.” Personally, I find this a challenge but do practice.
I did my best to give away as many books as possible before moving cross-country a few years ago. And these days, much lighter...
I did my best to give away as many books as possible before moving cross-country a few years ago. And these days, much lighter of load, I have fun leaving books at various Little Free Libraries where I find them.
Hi THenry, thank you for sharing your lovely poem and this reflection. I am so gratefully reminded of all the pines I have loved in various times and places of my life…. long-leaf and loblolly, limber and lodgepole, and of late the whispering white pines. And oh, to come upon a stand of old growth is, as you say, to enter a cathedral.
Be still, my heart, these great trees are prayers (Rabindranath Tagore)
Good morning, Diane, your post warms my heart, thank you (!) and is so like my own experience as the wind howls through this hollow and I sit here under a blanket wearing ski jacket and hat but I am grateful for this warmth and to watch a giant spruce tree wildly dancing just outside my window. And do you know I was just thinking about how to write a post about my love for libraries?!? Really! A special book I must return today some distance away — they have let me keep out since ear...
Good morning, Diane, your post warms my heart, thank you (!) and is so like my own experience as the wind howls through this hollow and I sit here under a blanket wearing ski jacket and hat but I am grateful for this warmth and to watch a giant spruce tree wildly dancing just outside my window. And do you know I was just thinking about how to write a post about my love for libraries?!? Really! A special book I must return today some distance away — they have let me keep out since early November as I am a slow reader these days… Ten Windows: How Great Poems Transform the World by Jane Hirshfield. A treasure trove. And I have the amazing Maria Popova of Brain Pickings to thank for recommending this book. And so many others I want to read. Waiting for them to arrive at a library near me. Sending a warm hug to you, Diane, enjoy your day.
oh, glorious to see on this wintry morning, thank you
Yes, like Palm, I find the allegory of trying to saw sawdust funny and useful. I keep imagining it as a Charlie Chaplin vignette. And this makes me smile. Thank you.
Yes, dear Anna, I agree, the conversation here this morning is like sitting around a cozy table and I feel it is okay even if I don’t have any stories of my own right now, but I’m more like a cat curled up and contentedly purring. Oh, I love the St. Antonio prayer you share. Love that it rhymes. Wish I could hear you speak it. Such a beautiful language, yours. I hope you are feeling better from your flu. Best wishes.
A lovely reflection of your conversation. Blessings to you and your husband. Thank you, Cintia.
I love this idea, Aine, thank you. Do you keep it set up just for a little while and then take a photo to remember? Maybe I will try.
Thank you, Anna. May peace prevail on earth.
Lovely, Sylvie, thank you! I was interested to look up ‘hinterglasmalerei’ online and learned it is a technique of reverse painting on glass used since the Middle Ages originally to create light-filled sacred art. I love that this one is round, like a mandala. Yes, a beautiful symbol of our lives and as Anna says — colors of joy and hope.
Thank you, THenry. Have a beautiful day.
Tail wags to you, Eric 🙂
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