When I give, I give myself.

Walt Whitman

T-

You have encouraged my soul and blessed me beyond measure in your returning poetry for poetry again. I understand the eagerness to get back to the beach, nowhere holds more meaning for me, and I know the pull of the cold sea will sometimes be too much to bear from another (even farther) continent. My commitments will keep me there for at least 10 months, though we do hope to make it a kind of permanent part time home. My wife and I have friends in the international community there from our “seminary” time in DC.

Please don’t give up on your own work, even in these gloomy days. No matter how fragmented it feels, push through to the other side.

I see my heart tolling among bells
raw enough to compromise my calling
The song has brought me damned to my knees
Beyond confessing what I could never contain
I can only offer what is not demanded-
a fool’s words, a goblet to bring to your lips
I must stay the truer course, deeper responses must wait
like heaven waits for the
next life
But I remember everything

Last thought-Have you seen the stellar movie Before Sunrise? Do you think I might see you before we make our changes?

Under the Mercy -L