45 Comments

The first is reminiscent of The Guest House (Rumi) and such a critical reminder for how to be with feelings of confusion, grief, derailment, despair. It seems to me that if we don't acknowledge our feelings, they have a way of turning into some other unwanted outcome. Yes, we are allowed to be sad, and tea...such comfort. Like you, I sometimes wonder why we are so inclined to assume we know what we can't know. I appreciate your reminder with the reflection from one of our most well-known stories of love, loss, and recovery. Beautiful thoughts.

Expand full comment

Thank you, Elizabeth. 💛🌿

Expand full comment

Such poignant words describing the enveloping presence of persistent sadness.

“stay gentle in her company…”

Wonderful soothing words to those who know this visitor all too well.

Expand full comment

Thank you, sister Lucinda. 💛🌿

Expand full comment

Yes, two very good ones for these times. Thanks for putting them together.

Expand full comment

Thanks for reading and for being here, Rose.

Expand full comment

Beautiful! What a tender and gentle way to handle sadness. Or any difficult emotion. Both poems encourage returning to the here and now, very calming and grounding, thank you.

Expand full comment

Thanks so much, Petrina.

Expand full comment

Thank you for these today. Just wonderful. Restful and restorative. ❤️

Expand full comment

So glad they spoke to you, Mary. Thank you for reading.

Expand full comment

These two poems are so lovely together. I want to put the kettle on for a cup of tea and settle in to read them again.

Expand full comment

Honored to have you reading and re-reading, LeeAnn. I hope the cuppa is of your favorite tea.

Expand full comment

Thank you, Elizabeth.

Expand full comment

Thanks for reading, Paul.

Expand full comment

I have just read these … and I want to read them again with a cup of tea.

Expand full comment

Thank you for reading them once and again, Monique. I hope your tea is comforting and delicious.

Expand full comment

I found the tempo very soothing on my nerves which are still feeling jarred from last week.

Expand full comment

Feeling those jarred nerves with you, Wes -- glad the tempo of the poems could quiet things a little for you.

Expand full comment

Yes, the jarred nerves. I always felt I belonged in this country but I really feel like I don't know anything anymore.

Expand full comment

"What have you got to eat?"

Oh my, Elizabeth that second poem gave me chills....especially those last lines.

Our small group is reading the gospel of John and Chapter 21 is slated for tonight--Jesus' appearance after His resurrection and the miraculous invitation, "Come and dine. What have you got to eat?"

Expand full comment

... parallel to the passage in Luke where the disciples are still half-sure He's a ghost so He asks them for some food and eats the piece of fish they give Him. That story always cracks my heart open.

Thank you for being here, Jody, and for reading.

Expand full comment

Beautiful and comforting. Thank you for sharing these.

Expand full comment

Thank you, MK.

Expand full comment

Lovely, thoughtful, and evocative…thank you.

Expand full comment

Thank you for reading, Shari.

Expand full comment

Wow, Elizabeth. Dealing with some sadness this last couple of weeks after my dog passed, on top of the passing of another dog last year and a husband 4 years ago, I was very moved by this poem. It makes so much sense to me. Thank you for the blessing of your poetry offerings, especially this one.

Expand full comment

I'm so sorry for all those losses stacking up, Mary -- what a hard thing. I'm glad you're here, and that you found some comfort in what you read.

Expand full comment

Thank you, Elizabeth! I needed these this morning.

Expand full comment

Thank you for reading and for being here, Caro.

Expand full comment

It's as if, in writing, you gathered the scattered thoughts, feelings and prayers of the collective and braided them together where they could hold one another through the challenges of the time.

Expand full comment

Thanks so much, Kim. Poets hope they can do that much, now and then.

Expand full comment

Beautifully expressed!

Expand full comment

I appreciate that, Caro. 🙏🏻

Expand full comment

Oh my. What a duo. That first one spoke volumes to me today…thank you Elizabeth.

Expand full comment

Thanks so much for reading and for being here, Pat.

Expand full comment