The University of California San Diego Center for Mindfulness has a list of poetry and other readings they use in classes which I thought y'all might like to see (it's got Wendell Berry on it, and Rumi, and Mary Oliver...)
Here's one of the poems:
Admit Something
by Hafiz
Everyone you see, you say to them,
Love me.
Of course you do not do this out loud;
Otherwise,
Someone would call the cops.
Still though, think about this,
This great pull in us
To connect.
Why not become the one
Who lives with a full moon in each eye
That is always saying,
With that sweet moon language,
What every other eye in this world
Is dying to Hear.
**********
And now a charming video of kindergarten students explaining how to calm down:
Today's Little Ditty is the Poetry Friday round-up host.
The jar of glitter in our minds! We have a young poet on our hands... thank you, Tabatha. I've read that poem before and it feels like something to live by. Adding it to How To Live Your Poem. Thank you! xo
ReplyDeleteThe poem "Admit Something" is such a good thought. It is really a version of "A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly" (Prov. 18:24)... certainly words to live by.
ReplyDeleteLove Hafiz's inspirational words. Full moon in each eye -- a nice reflection!
ReplyDeleteI will be sharing this video with my sixth graders - wise advice for me, too. Hafiz's poem makes me think about the world today, when we can't seem to connect in a sensible way. So much suffering and disconnection in this world.
ReplyDeleteHow wonderful to see such wise words from younger people. Knowing one has a way to control anger feels powerful. Thanks Tabatha.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful, calm place to come to on a Friday afternoon. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteThat's a fine list of poems. I was pleased to see "The Way It Is" by William Stafford listed--it's such a profoundly simple poem.
ReplyDelete"This great pull in us/to connect." So true. That's what I love about poetry ... the ability to uncover and shine a light on those truths.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing.
Smart kids. I agree with the girl who said anger makes her heart hurt. "Why not become the one/Who lives with a full moon in each eye"? Yes. Why not. Thanks for being my "om" tonight, Tabatha.
ReplyDeleteAhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.
ReplyDeleteToday, Tabatha, you have given a greater-than-usual gift. When 2nd graders study the phases of the moon, we'll "Admit Something" with our eyes. And it can't be too soon to watch this video in class, linked, of course, to "a character's response to challenge."
I love Hafiz!
ReplyDeleteOh my, I found myself holding my breath at the very end of the poem. What a profound challenge, something I have personally been trying to achieve. Not the easiest thing in the world.
Thank you for sharing this. It's message so apt for me today.
"This great pull in us
ReplyDeleteTo connect." - So true! Thank you for sharing Hafiz's poem today and that video, Tabatha! =)
Such a lovely poem, and so much wisdom from Kindergarteners! Thank you for sharing that list, too. Looking forward to perusing it.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful challenge in that poem, Tabatha. It reminds me of the people we pass on our walk each morning. We go walking each day between 8 and 9 a.m., the same route and often pass by the same people. On a first meeting they appear shy, hardly look up, but we're always relaxed and hopefully appear friendly, hubby will lean over and pat the dogs ... Soon the faces we see over and over relax, and it's waves and "Good morning," and snatches about the weather. I love watching how the faces of the people we pass soften over time.
ReplyDeleteOh, Tabatha, how beautiful that is! Thank you so much.
ReplyDelete