Poem and stuff

I'm really excited about BeTween- I think it's going to go really well, and if it doesn't, we've learned what we'll need to do for the next one. Yes, David and Sam really want this to be an ongoing thing, which pleases me.

Now it's just a question for me of maintaining momentum, following up on the loose ends, connecting with the people on my list to connect to. I don't want to get lazy here in the home stretch.

And I've been listening to the Poem of the Day podcast, which reminded me of Jane Hirshfield. Here's one of my favorites from her:

Letting What Enters Enter

Even in January rains
the blossoms open --
absence and longing
are also the plum-fragrant spring.
As the woman with her sign and cart of rags is spring,
beside the highway, stepping slowly
through the undimmed flower of her life.
"What I now most want to happen
in my raving heart, make it happen --"
Sappho's cry to the goddess.
Who knows if that prayer was answered?
Each part holds the rest in the chill
spring rain and the silence; let one animal
eat from your hand and the whole herd comes.
but the woman was not beautiful
or whole in her heart's raving,
and she forgave me nothing that I love.