Those everyday saints
Who come comfortably
[sometimes uncomfortably]
Casting their light into our shadow land

Perhaps a trap,
Perhaps safe-haven

The river of remembrance,
Before eons made manifest
One backward glance and …

Forgotten the star-crossed loves, the cross tempers
The spine breaking crosses to bear

Sit in their darshan on the path of the saints
They are everywhere, as populous as fish
in a sea that might otherwise be empty

“The purpose of life seems to be to acquaint a man with himself and whatever science or art or course of action he engages in reacts upon and illuminates the recesses of his own mind. Thus friends seem to be only mirrors to draw out and explain to us ourselves; and that which draws us nearer our fellow man, is, that the deep Heart in one, answers the deep Heart in another, — that we find we have (a common Nature) — one life which runs through all individuals, and which is indeed Divine.” Ralph Waldo Emerson

© Jamie Dedes

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The recommended read for this week is The Art of Losing by Kevin Young.  I find this to be an extraordinarily beautiful anthology about grief and recommend it for all those who work with living and dying, clergy of all faiths, hospice workers, physicians and nurses as well as those grieving a lost family member or friend. It was conceived and edited by Kevin Young, a poet in his own right and the editor of four poetry anthologies. His book Jelly Roll: A Blues was a finalist for both the National Book Award and the Los Angeles Times Book Prize. It won the Paterson Poetry Prize.

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