Two poems

[Lisa Walford]

I look forward to seeing you this Friday at 9 AM, for twists, back extensions and more! 

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A talent is formed in stillness, a character in the world's torrent. Goethe

When I first read this poem I so yearned for that sanctuary in the forest.. and remembered Goethe's sutra. Both are essential! In pranayama we eventually find stillness, while in asana we face our own physical and mental weather. Enjoy these readings...   

This poem is different, the author was different. St Catherine of Siena lived in the 14th century and knew her calling was to serve humanity from a very young age. She became a Dominican nun and served the destitute while following a deeply contemplative life filled with visions of Jesus. Her fearlessness led many to seek her council in difficult situations that required diplomacy and tack. In our pranayama class this Wednesday I mistakenly stated that this poem was by Hafiz. The one that follows is..   

The Hymns of the Earth

I wanted to be a hermit and only hear the hymns

of the earth, and the laughter of the sky,

and the sweet gossip of the creatures on my limbs, 

the forests.

I wanted to be a hermit and not see another face

look upon mine and tell me I was not

all the beauty in this 

world.

For so many faces do that -

cage us.

The wings we have are so fragile

they can break from just

one word, or

a glance void

of love.

I wanted to live in that cloister of

light's silence

because, is it not true, the heart

is so fragile and shy.. 

The following is by Hafiz..

Even 

after

all this time

the sun never says to the earth,

"You owe me."

Look 

what happens 

with a love like that -

it lights the whole world....