Mary By the Sea
It was a question unexpected
while thinking by the sea—
¨Where were you a moment ago?¨
Out far on the mystical assumption of waves
where what the eye no longer sees
is cared for by the sun.
I arrived there, coppery wet
from this font of tidal glory,
full of awe and just a bit of seaweed
caught in a wrinkle of my sleeve.
I went there to pray.
You nodded, and pointed toward a fish
who in the merriment of evening light
seemed to be smiling.
And perhaps that was a wink?
c. MperiodPress
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
From the Journal
From the Journal...
I am sitting here listening to the high school chorus practice in the sala de pastoral next door. They sing BEAUTIFULLY... guitar, not piano. Harmonies you could sleep on and from the heart, from the heart. I love listening to them. It reminds me of my kids in other places.
Just returned from reading in English to four year olds and continuing in Spanish the tales of the very small woman who appeared on my thumb one morning while I was walking, sipping my coffee, and looking at the flowers. This time, I told the kids about a group of us going to a Benedictine monastery this past weekend (true--it was lovely) and that the monks sang when they prayed. I went looking for my friend once and she was not to be found. I searched many places and finally found her in the chapel where the monks were singing. SO beautiful was the sound of their voices singing together to praise God, that she was able to float on the musical notes in the air! When I walked in, there she was, floating and sliding and rising on the music while sitting on the useful tree leaf she brings with her everywhere. She had the most wonderful smile on her face when she finally settled back down onto the pew beside me...her eyes were closed...and there were tear droplets on her cheek. I heard her sigh with happiness before she opened her eyes, then she hopped into my hand and we went into lunch.
The other thing that happened recently and that I found fascinating in a way that prompts others to raise their eyebrows and think, ¨Oh, you have waaayyyy too much time on your hands...¨ is that I heard an animal speak in another language for the first time! This monastery was named Lliu-Lliu (zjhew-zjhew). We wondered what kind of name that was and were hypothesizing about its origins as we drove there. We got out of the car and within moments, I said ¨That´s why! Listen!¨and sure enough, the birds that are so present there have a call that is precisely lliu-lliu!
I had always found it interesting that animal sounds are recorded differently in different languages... how your ear can hear either cock-a-doodle-doo or kir-ii-kee-kee, depending on what else your ear has been hearing for your life to date. And that both can be plain as day for those who hear it that way. I had not before considered the influence of culture on sound interpretation, but there you have it as well as in the more affective aspects of a personality and more obvious things like foodways, social norms, etc. Something new to contemplate.
Every day I find myself saying to God, ¨You are so amazing.¨ and ¨Wow, you mean there´s more??¨
I am sitting here listening to the high school chorus practice in the sala de pastoral next door. They sing BEAUTIFULLY... guitar, not piano. Harmonies you could sleep on and from the heart, from the heart. I love listening to them. It reminds me of my kids in other places.
Just returned from reading in English to four year olds and continuing in Spanish the tales of the very small woman who appeared on my thumb one morning while I was walking, sipping my coffee, and looking at the flowers. This time, I told the kids about a group of us going to a Benedictine monastery this past weekend (true--it was lovely) and that the monks sang when they prayed. I went looking for my friend once and she was not to be found. I searched many places and finally found her in the chapel where the monks were singing. SO beautiful was the sound of their voices singing together to praise God, that she was able to float on the musical notes in the air! When I walked in, there she was, floating and sliding and rising on the music while sitting on the useful tree leaf she brings with her everywhere. She had the most wonderful smile on her face when she finally settled back down onto the pew beside me...her eyes were closed...and there were tear droplets on her cheek. I heard her sigh with happiness before she opened her eyes, then she hopped into my hand and we went into lunch.
The other thing that happened recently and that I found fascinating in a way that prompts others to raise their eyebrows and think, ¨Oh, you have waaayyyy too much time on your hands...¨ is that I heard an animal speak in another language for the first time! This monastery was named Lliu-Lliu (zjhew-zjhew). We wondered what kind of name that was and were hypothesizing about its origins as we drove there. We got out of the car and within moments, I said ¨That´s why! Listen!¨and sure enough, the birds that are so present there have a call that is precisely lliu-lliu!
I had always found it interesting that animal sounds are recorded differently in different languages... how your ear can hear either cock-a-doodle-doo or kir-ii-kee-kee, depending on what else your ear has been hearing for your life to date. And that both can be plain as day for those who hear it that way. I had not before considered the influence of culture on sound interpretation, but there you have it as well as in the more affective aspects of a personality and more obvious things like foodways, social norms, etc. Something new to contemplate.
Every day I find myself saying to God, ¨You are so amazing.¨ and ¨Wow, you mean there´s more??¨
Thursday, November 5, 2009
La chincha/The Ladybug
Primero en castellano, luego inglés!
First in Spanish, then English!
De mi diario hoy, 5/11/09
From my journal today, 5/11/09
E acaba de entrar aquí con un regalo para mi--una chincha en su mano. Ella me la pasó a mi mano y después de un rato la salió volando. Quizás un placer muy simple, pero uno que a mi me gustó mucho--especialmente porque ella pensó que tener una chincha en mi mano sería una cosa que me gustaría. Y en ese, ella tuvo razón.
Aquí, ahora, después de la salida de las alumnas, después de la salida de la mayoria de los profe, el silencio viene otra vez... barriendo el polvo de tantos pies saltando y corriendo, dando un masaje a los raíces de los árboles, agradeciendo el sol, y pidiendo la bendición de la luna.
En este silencio hay la promesas del viento de mañana. Los pajaros cantan en su honor, cociendo un hilo de cobre en su capa con tantas bolsillas pequeñas--una por cada estrella. Primero, el silencio las lanza al mar. A la llegada de la luna, la olas ofrecen las estrellas al cielo donde se chispean hasta que los rayos del sol las recogen al amenecer.
---
E {with whom I live} just came in with a present for me--a ladybug in her hand! She passed it to my hand and after a bit, it flew away. Perhaps a simple pleasure, but one that I enjoyed a lot--especially because she thought that having a ladybug crawl on my hand would be something I would enjoy. She was right!
Here, now, after the students have gone, after most of the teachers have gone, the silence comes again... sweeping the dust of so many feet jumping and running, massaging the roots of the trees, thanking the sun, and asking the blessing of the moon.
In this silence are the promises of tomorrow´s wind. The birds sing in its honor, sewing a copper thread through its cape with so many little pockets--one for each star. First, the silence throws them to the sea. At the coming of the moon, the waves offer them to the heavens where they spark and shine until the rays of the sun collect them at dawn.
First in Spanish, then English!
De mi diario hoy, 5/11/09
From my journal today, 5/11/09
E acaba de entrar aquí con un regalo para mi--una chincha en su mano. Ella me la pasó a mi mano y después de un rato la salió volando. Quizás un placer muy simple, pero uno que a mi me gustó mucho--especialmente porque ella pensó que tener una chincha en mi mano sería una cosa que me gustaría. Y en ese, ella tuvo razón.
Aquí, ahora, después de la salida de las alumnas, después de la salida de la mayoria de los profe, el silencio viene otra vez... barriendo el polvo de tantos pies saltando y corriendo, dando un masaje a los raíces de los árboles, agradeciendo el sol, y pidiendo la bendición de la luna.
En este silencio hay la promesas del viento de mañana. Los pajaros cantan en su honor, cociendo un hilo de cobre en su capa con tantas bolsillas pequeñas--una por cada estrella. Primero, el silencio las lanza al mar. A la llegada de la luna, la olas ofrecen las estrellas al cielo donde se chispean hasta que los rayos del sol las recogen al amenecer.
---
E {with whom I live} just came in with a present for me--a ladybug in her hand! She passed it to my hand and after a bit, it flew away. Perhaps a simple pleasure, but one that I enjoyed a lot--especially because she thought that having a ladybug crawl on my hand would be something I would enjoy. She was right!
Here, now, after the students have gone, after most of the teachers have gone, the silence comes again... sweeping the dust of so many feet jumping and running, massaging the roots of the trees, thanking the sun, and asking the blessing of the moon.
In this silence are the promises of tomorrow´s wind. The birds sing in its honor, sewing a copper thread through its cape with so many little pockets--one for each star. First, the silence throws them to the sea. At the coming of the moon, the waves offer them to the heavens where they spark and shine until the rays of the sun collect them at dawn.
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Things Seen and Heard, 03-11-09
1. The silver frothed ocean through the green and craggy hills... I was riding in a micro and realized as I was watching the ocean pass by that the hills on the other side were reflected in the same window that provided my view. Both facets of glory were received gratefully in one sense-thirsty stare. It was so very, very, lovely.
2. A seemingly blind man begging on a street corner in perfect English
3. The exquisitely designed fuzzy inside of huge, huge, bean pods and the perfect little cradles that have the beans for dinner nestled within. The beans within the pod are removed, steamed or boiled, and served plain. They are eaten in a variety of ways--my favorite is to remove a tough but ultimately edible husk from the steamed beans, shake salt on the tender, buttery inner bean and pop in the mouth. Sort of like popcorn...
4. Monjita, ven acá, quiero darte un beso. Little/Dear/Sweet Nun, come here, I want to give you a kiss. I turned and there was a kindergartener all set to kiss my cheek...chocolate smeared lips and all.
5. ¿De verdad? Ella vive en su bolsillo? For real? She lives in your pocket? Yet another class of young children have met the verrrryyyy small, shy woman, who landed on my thumb one morning as I was walking and having my coffee. She had a fine and tiny hat on her head, a suitcase in one hand, and a tree leaf in the other. And yes, she happens to live in my pocket. Very shy, you understand... but awfully adventurous to come so far, don´t you think? Wait until you hear some of the other things she has done! I started this story in Grand Coteau and have brought it with me now to both Mexico and Chile... long live the imagination of young children.
2. A seemingly blind man begging on a street corner in perfect English
3. The exquisitely designed fuzzy inside of huge, huge, bean pods and the perfect little cradles that have the beans for dinner nestled within. The beans within the pod are removed, steamed or boiled, and served plain. They are eaten in a variety of ways--my favorite is to remove a tough but ultimately edible husk from the steamed beans, shake salt on the tender, buttery inner bean and pop in the mouth. Sort of like popcorn...
4. Monjita, ven acá, quiero darte un beso. Little/Dear/Sweet Nun, come here, I want to give you a kiss. I turned and there was a kindergartener all set to kiss my cheek...chocolate smeared lips and all.
5. ¿De verdad? Ella vive en su bolsillo? For real? She lives in your pocket? Yet another class of young children have met the verrrryyyy small, shy woman, who landed on my thumb one morning as I was walking and having my coffee. She had a fine and tiny hat on her head, a suitcase in one hand, and a tree leaf in the other. And yes, she happens to live in my pocket. Very shy, you understand... but awfully adventurous to come so far, don´t you think? Wait until you hear some of the other things she has done! I started this story in Grand Coteau and have brought it with me now to both Mexico and Chile... long live the imagination of young children.
Friday, October 30, 2009
Pep-O-Mint
Friday Five From Rev Gals!!
Dramatic or fairly common - what have been/are your lifesavers:
1) Your lifesaving food/beverage.
Food...two things come to mind. One, remembering the absolute Nirvana of pretzels when I was so very sick once and had lost so much liquid (and salt). Two, peanut butter! When all else fails, there´s nothing like it. You can use it in a sauce, you can use it as a dip (baby carrots swiped through is a personal fave), plop it in your hot oatmeal and stir, or... peanut butter and honey sandwiches. Also goes well along side a scoop of ice cream in lieu of chocolate sauce...or in addition to that chocolate sauce. To add one more, I did recently burst into a grin upon finding peppermint Mentos at an abarrotes near here and promptly bought three rolls.
Beverage...Three are on an even par... Cold water, really cold 2% milk, and strong coffee.
2) Your lifesaving article of clothing.
This one hits home...or in my case, far away from home. What I could bring to Chile was limited. The BEST choice I made was to include a thin, soft, snug-comfy, navy blue fleece. It is soft and comforting in its material, folds down to easily stuffable size, and is just enough of another layer to cut morning fog and chill.
3) Your lifesaving movie/book/tv show/music.
Book....three. Leaves of Grass, Mr. God this is Anna, and The Magnificent Spinster. (I´m not including the Bible because that´s a given)
Movie... Fried Green Tomatoes, Dead Poet´s Society, The Grass Harp
4) Your lifesaving friends
They know who they are. Two of the longest standing...One, I have known for 26 years, since eighth grade, and she did save me in high school. We decided a long time ago that we were in this friendship for life and I will always be grateful for that. She knows me deep down, we can talk about anything, and I know we will be there for each other. The other, I have known for 16 years. She makes me laugh from my toes on up, sings with passion, teaches with passion, cooks up a storm, is silly, and kind, and serious, and wonderful.
5) Your lifesaving moment.
What comes to mind for me is a series of conversations I had a number of years ago when I needed to loose the bonds that held me. The people who heard what I had to say responded with directness, love, generosity, trust, and kindness. I was then and still remain humbled by this. Humbled in awe, not smallness.
Dramatic or fairly common - what have been/are your lifesavers:
1) Your lifesaving food/beverage.
Food...two things come to mind. One, remembering the absolute Nirvana of pretzels when I was so very sick once and had lost so much liquid (and salt). Two, peanut butter! When all else fails, there´s nothing like it. You can use it in a sauce, you can use it as a dip (baby carrots swiped through is a personal fave), plop it in your hot oatmeal and stir, or... peanut butter and honey sandwiches. Also goes well along side a scoop of ice cream in lieu of chocolate sauce...or in addition to that chocolate sauce. To add one more, I did recently burst into a grin upon finding peppermint Mentos at an abarrotes near here and promptly bought three rolls.
Beverage...Three are on an even par... Cold water, really cold 2% milk, and strong coffee.
2) Your lifesaving article of clothing.
This one hits home...or in my case, far away from home. What I could bring to Chile was limited. The BEST choice I made was to include a thin, soft, snug-comfy, navy blue fleece. It is soft and comforting in its material, folds down to easily stuffable size, and is just enough of another layer to cut morning fog and chill.
3) Your lifesaving movie/book/tv show/music.
Book....three. Leaves of Grass, Mr. God this is Anna, and The Magnificent Spinster. (I´m not including the Bible because that´s a given)
Movie... Fried Green Tomatoes, Dead Poet´s Society, The Grass Harp
4) Your lifesaving friends
They know who they are. Two of the longest standing...One, I have known for 26 years, since eighth grade, and she did save me in high school. We decided a long time ago that we were in this friendship for life and I will always be grateful for that. She knows me deep down, we can talk about anything, and I know we will be there for each other. The other, I have known for 16 years. She makes me laugh from my toes on up, sings with passion, teaches with passion, cooks up a storm, is silly, and kind, and serious, and wonderful.
5) Your lifesaving moment.
What comes to mind for me is a series of conversations I had a number of years ago when I needed to loose the bonds that held me. The people who heard what I had to say responded with directness, love, generosity, trust, and kindness. I was then and still remain humbled by this. Humbled in awe, not smallness.
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Olive a good story
I was walking down the hill toward where I catch the bus to go home and passed one of the zillion feral dogs that roam around. He was nosing around on the ground and looked like he was eating.
As I approached, I noticed little things littering the sidewalk that looked an awful lot like olive pits. Sure enough, the dog was eating a pile of olves someone had left--but was spitting the pits!! I saw him loll one out with his tongue!
A pit-spitting feral dog... for some reason, I enjoy the dignity of that. I bet he´d know which fork to use when too.
You never know the stories of those who live on the street.
As I approached, I noticed little things littering the sidewalk that looked an awful lot like olive pits. Sure enough, the dog was eating a pile of olves someone had left--but was spitting the pits!! I saw him loll one out with his tongue!
A pit-spitting feral dog... for some reason, I enjoy the dignity of that. I bet he´d know which fork to use when too.
You never know the stories of those who live on the street.
Friday, October 23, 2009
Friday Five from Far Away
My First Friday Five From Far Away From Where I Was Before! Which is to say, I was in NYC and am now in Chile.
RevGals say...Let's talk about music. Share with us five pieces of music that draw you closer to the Divine, that elevate your mood or take you to your happy place. They might be sung or instrumental, ancient or modern, sacred or popular...whatever touches you.
1. The song raised by a chorus of mockingbirds doing their thing in morning fog while walking to work in southern Louisiana.
2. Mystery by Paul Winter Oh Mystery, you are alive!
3. Salve Regina... oh, this is like rocking me to sleep...I love the waves of it, the up and down fullness that spreads from it...the sort of sound that makes candle flame lengthen and the night deepen down.
4. Gabriel´s Oboe from the movie The Mission. If I was a kite, this music would be my wind.
5. The song Que No Se Ve by Teresa Parodi, an Argentinian folk singer... The song talks about living what you do not see....and the sustenance offered by what is not seen.
RevGals say...Let's talk about music. Share with us five pieces of music that draw you closer to the Divine, that elevate your mood or take you to your happy place. They might be sung or instrumental, ancient or modern, sacred or popular...whatever touches you.
1. The song raised by a chorus of mockingbirds doing their thing in morning fog while walking to work in southern Louisiana.
2. Mystery by Paul Winter Oh Mystery, you are alive!
3. Salve Regina... oh, this is like rocking me to sleep...I love the waves of it, the up and down fullness that spreads from it...the sort of sound that makes candle flame lengthen and the night deepen down.
4. Gabriel´s Oboe from the movie The Mission. If I was a kite, this music would be my wind.
5. The song Que No Se Ve by Teresa Parodi, an Argentinian folk singer... The song talks about living what you do not see....and the sustenance offered by what is not seen.
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