December 10

Happiness by Raymond Carver (also Dec. 9)
Paradoxes and Oxymorons by John Ashbury (12/9)
Sanctuary by Jean Valentine (12/9)

Major to Minor -- by Andrea Cohen (12/16)
Inspired by O Antiphons, a Dreidel, Shiva’s Third Eye, Peace Flag Symbol (12/9)
A Poem by Rumi (12/16)
Pelicans in December by J. Allyn Rosser (12/16)

This is a fine season for meditation. I received this one today.
“Walk as if you are kissing the Earth with your feet.”
― Thích Nhất Hạnh, Peace Is Every Step: The Path of Mindfulness in Everyday Life

See Dec. 9 for the first 3.

For Sanctuary: it might be an interesting ice breaker to ask "What is it like for you... ask where "there" is, ask what fears.

We were running out of time, so only read quickly the poem from the New Yorker. I like the play on major/minor and how we distinguish them, and how observant we are of shifts and subtle chance. Twin beds, two ice bergs -- even July doesnt know how to melt.

We also read quickly the Rumi -- the importance of each person as part of a larger whole, but precious and unique.
Imagine if everyone would sing a love song to your existence!

The final poem evokes endings... the gawky pelicans, rickety... "old-world feathers"... weary of calling out... like an old couple...
it is difficult to stay dignified... gulls, scattered sand... quietly lodged complaints.

We'll need to start the year with a stork!