more poetry!

In my life, I do not make enough time to read poetry. Days cry out for it, like cracked dry ground cries for rain. More poetry! I am pausing this morning (procrastinating, more like it) to read a couple well-worn snatches before hunkering down to work.

Mornings like this. How heady
The morning air! How sharp
And sweet and clear the morning air!

Authentic winter! The odor of campfires!
Beans eighteen inches long!
A billion chances--and I am here!

And here I lie in this quiet room
And read and read and read.
So easy--so easy--so easy.

Pools in old woods, full of leaves.
Give me time enough in this place
And I will surely make a beautiful thing.

~from "Mornings Like This" by Annie Dillard

in the window of the 99 cent store

This morning is bright...almost glaring. The swing of things is picking up momentum, and things are rapidly needing to be done. There are students to attend to, papers to write, plans to make, coffees to drink. The complexities of life never cease to amaze me. For instance, how so many thoughts can exist in my brain at once and not pull in their independent directions and cause my head to explode. No, I can hold sorrow for my friend who's mother is having dangerous surgery, right along side excitement over buying an important, special dress. I can exist with the feelings of sympathy for my sister, who's computer died on her right before finals, and a superficial appreciation for yellow diamonds, and love, and doubt, and a regina spektor song, all sloshing around inside me. And I don't die. I don't even go crazy. I live....this is what it means to live.

On this monday morning, I am existing in the tension of all the facets of my life and the thoughts related to it. So many thoughts.

thoughtful list

Lots on my mind today.




Have to finish work, walk in the crisp wind, sit through class, drive, drive, drive, assess others' work, think about my own work, not enough energy: go to bed.