Holding Hands Against The Darkness - Imagining The Luminous

A New Poem "Thanksgiving"

Photo by Chris Moore on Unsplash

"The coolest most amazing people I have met in my life are the ones who are not very interested in power or money, but who are very interested in laughter and courage and grace under duress and holding hands against the darkness, and finding new ways to solve old problems, and being attentive and tender and kind to every sort of being, especially dogs and birds, and of course children."— Brian Doyle (Chicago)

I just finished a book by Niall Williams called “The Time of the Child”. It's a beautiful read and is told from the perspective of a country doctor and father who lives on the wild western coast of Ireland in the small town of Faha. I basically recommend anything Niall Williams has ever written, but I’m particularly fond of “This is Happiness” “The History of Rain” and now “The Time of the Child.” In Faha nothing much happens and yet everything happens. In Faha, something important is always shining in the daily lives of those who live in the land where rain is the common and gray skies are pretty much predictable.

Now, we live in a time I often find hard to wrap my head around, and yet I keep bumping into things that I find utterly luminous most days. Maybe this is why I love stories that shine with something that is regularly lived but most often unspoken, why I keep reading poetry and listening to music, why I keep painting and making things with my hands. Because I sense these are the days when we need more than ever, the kinds of things storytellers and artists have always offered. These are the days when we need the artists and storytellers ability to perceive, to comment, to frame and reframe..but maybe, most of all, these are the days when we need the artist’s ability to imagine—and in turn, encourage us to imagine too.

And so we imagine my friends. In times when it would be easier to shut-down or draw in, we can imagine picking up a soft cloth and dab a little shoe polish on the worn and scuffed places of our hearts. We can imagine giving what is tired and sorry, a bit of attention and care, helping us to remember our heart’s truest nature and how life still shines. Even now.

Here is a poem I wrote recently about a holiday blessing given by my father.

Thanksgiving

We stood with our heads bowed
As my father spoke the prayer,
Words so well-worn and used
One phrase blending into another,
In the way people murmur 
Late at night on the phone,
When it’s only the sound 
Of the familiar
That is needed. 
 
I watched him lower
His full head of gray hair 
The sounds of a baby being shifted 
From one hip to the other
As mother’s have done 
As long as baby’s have been.
 
The smell of butter and bread 
Potatoes and sage,
The feel of clasped hands
The signs of forgiveness
When forgiveness is coming
But not yet arrived. 
 
As we rounded the far corner
On the way to the final blessing
Like a horse to the barn
Or the last double chorus,
We gave thanks for the seeds 
That push up from the dirt,
For the pies too sweet 
For everyday eating,
For a grandmother’s hands 
All covered in flour,
For The Great Luminous Whatever
On the other end of the line
That listens when we whisper
At the end of the day.

And because life is hearty
And fragile and brief
We know that to gather 
Is not guaranteed,
Only a mercy we humbly
And gratefully receive. 
 
And with the flourish of finished
He lifted his head
And without hesitation 
Or reservation
We all said, "Amen" 

Practice

Revisit a favorite poem, song, or story you love. Write down a line or phrase from that work on a small piece of paper. Put that piece of paper in your wallet or purse or coat pocket —someplace where you will bump into it during the course of the day when you’ve forgotten its there.

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Question:

Is there a book, song, work of art, poem or theatrical production that has sparked your imagination this year? Let us know your recommendations!

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LAST WEEK OF MY HOLIDAY SALE

Everything on my online store is 20% off from November 17 Thru December 7th. Just put the coupon code HOLIDAY20 in at check out! Here is the link for my online store. ONLINE STORE LINK

We have CDs, Books, Posters, Ball Caps, Songbooks, Greeting Cards and More…ALSO two new items this season for you or as holiday gifts.

You Can Do This Hard Thing T-shirt in a new autumn color & You Can Do This Hard Thing Journal

CREATIVE GIFT GIVING IDEA - Substack Subscriptions

Also…If you would like to get a Group Subscription or give a Gift Subscription this season they are ALWAYS 20%

Do you have someone in your life you’d like to give a gift during this season, maybe someone who has all the “things” they need. How about a subscription the The Gathering of Spirits Community. Gift Subscriptions are ALWAYS 20% Share with your friends or family the conversations, essays, poetry, music and special offerings as a gift that lasts all year long.

AND as always my deep gratitude to everyone who supports this ongoing project. It is YOUR support that makes it possible! Thank you to everyone who gathers in this circle of care, compassion & creativity.

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Tour Schedule

This upcoming week is my last tour for 2024. I’ll be taking a creative break at the top of the year. Tickets still available for my Iowa Show.

One deep winter informal online Supporting Subscriber concert is in the works. More details TBA.