Returning to what gives us life

I’ll be honest. Sometimes it’s hard to know what to say, when writing against the backdrop of such unspeakable events in our world. Events that our bodies are responding to, and from which we need continuous recovery... but also that our attention need respite from, in whatever doses are possible. Do I address what’s painful in the world? Or, explore what’s restorative, interesting, beautiful, useful?

​
I’m reminded of the power of titration -

When there’s pain or discomfort in our bodies, it’s helpful to pay attention (ideally with curios appreciation) in small doses. And then, to dwell with curiosity on something pleasant or neutral. This gives our nervous system a chance to relax and reorient as we care for and discover more about what hurts.

I was grateful a couple weekends ago for some inspiration to enter a space of awe and poetic impulse, on the wing of a thousand(+??) birds on a warm afternoon, before what I’m calling the last winter storm of the season... Thought I’d share what emerged from that day:​

a protest of heart
​
​in the morning in my studio
i become a blade of grass,
humming loose the thin
finger of ice that has shh’d me all winter —
a slender gown of silence.
​
past noon, a sudden blush of warmth
before this final march storm, calls me
out of the city, to a scribble of trees and field
that my four-legged and I love to wander and smell.
​
the trees, white and gray as bone,
are alight with a shrieking I can hardly call bell-like, or quaint.
​
a thousand birds, heralding spring,
with a fury — a mad joy — a protest of heart
that drums forth our own,
as we stand stunned, surrounded,
resisting the urge to capture and flatten
what is clearly urging us into our three dimensions,
and more:
​
to make wind with our wings,
​
to proclaim the return of hope, and harmonious growth
​
that the birds know
​
is a natural and monumental parade of events,
​
formed by wing upon wing,
​
upon cry upon wing,
​
upon song upon cry upon wing.

~~

Here’s to finding your own doorways into awe, peace, rest, and whatever you need.
​
Also! I’ll be teaching Somatic Practices for Healthy Dialogue this Friday, March 6th at the University of Pennsylvania. Current and past students, staff, faculty, and alumni of Penn are all welcome- feel free to share!

with care,

Lee