It doesn’t interest me if there is one God
or many gods.
I want to know if you belong or feel
abandoned.
If you know despair or can see it in others.
I want to know
if you are prepared to live in the world
with its harsh need
to change you. If you can look back
with firm eyes
saying this is where I stand. I want to know
if you know
how to melt into that fierce heat of living
falling toward
the center of your longing. I want to know
if you are willing
to live, day by day, with the consequence of love
and the bitter
unwanted passion of your sure defeat.
I have heard, in that fierce embrace, even
the gods speak of God.
— David Whyte, “Self Portrait” from Fire in the Earth
Source: Poem – Whiskey River. Photo: Precious Things
Even the gods speak of God…
And there it is. And they speak of Oak Street Beach as well.
Laughing…
Only God has the word about Oak Street Beach!
Poor Oak Street Beach. Remind me not to get on the wrong side of you.
You didn’t get on the wrong side of me. Simic did!
Poor Simic. Wild woman scorned.
No words…’how to melt into the fierce heat of living’…w.o.w.
Laughing. From here, I can see your lips forming W.O.W.!
Yup – you know me well…
The fierce heat of living evokes considerable thought.
Those 4 words grabbed me too!
His words sink deep inside and transform our very being 💛
Truth.
David Whyte’s piece captures a pause from me…
“to live, day by day, with the consequence of love
and the bitter
unwanted passion of your sure defeat.”
Makes me think of Carole King who I’ve quoted in the past…she is brilliant in mind and in her shinning presence.
…”Way over yonder, that’s where I’m bound
I know when I get there, the first thing I’ll see
Is the sun shining golden, shining right down on me
Then trouble’s gonna lose me, worry leave me behind
And I’ll stand up proudly in true peace of mind”…
We go forward in life, we endure pain, we struggle, we fall, we learn, we embrace the tender, we love deeply and We Gain…and peace and light, reign.
May you all be kind to yourselves this week, have a gentle touch toward others and may each of your breaths be an easy draw in and exhale out…
In grace and gratitude …Kindly, Christie
https://youtu.be/6uHWKrnzS48
Way Over Yonder by Carole King
WAY OVER YONDER
Carole King
Lyrics:
Way over yonder is a place that I know
Where I can find shelter from hunger and cold
And the sweet tasting good life is so easily found
Way over yonder, that’s where I’m bound
I know when I get there, the first thing I’ll see
Is the sun shining golden, shining right down on me
Then trouble’s gonna lose me, worry leave me behind
And I’ll stand up proudly in true peace of mind
talking ’bout, talking ’bout
Way over yonder is a place I have seen
It’s a garden of wisdom from some long ago dream
Maybe tomorrow I’ll find my way
To the land where the honey runs in rivers each day
And the sweet tasting good life is so easily found
Way over yonder, that’s where I’m bound
Way over yonder, that’s where I’m bound
� 1971 ColGems-EMI Music, Inc. (ASCAP)
Lyrics courtesy of EMI Music Publishing.
For printed lyrics or sheet music, please visit http://www.halleonard.com or http://www.sheetmusicdirect.com.
And Carole King says it so simply yet with so much soul. Thanks for sharing Christie
and I am just listening to this, again, now…carries one along, in melody. My dear Grandmother always would say that my sisters (the four of us and our cousin Melody) should be a singing group “Four “Jxxxx” and a Melody. Now smiling outwardly and inwardly…
Me too!
to feel is to be alive.
It is that.