A Gathering of Spirits

A Gathering of Spirits

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A Gathering of Spirits
A Gathering of Spirits
Wednesday Thoughts

Wednesday Thoughts

The Curious Promise of Limited Time

Carrie Newcomer's avatar
Carrie Newcomer
Jul 05, 2023
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A Gathering of Spirits
A Gathering of Spirits
Wednesday Thoughts
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brown leaf illustration
Photo by Michael Dziedzic on Unsplash

Hi folks, I read this lovely poem this morning and wanted to share it with you. Ross Gay is a wonderful writer who currently lives and teaches in my little hometown of Bloomington Indiana. His newest book “Incitements To Joy” was one of my favorite books of the past year. I have several books of his poetry and essays. In this poem I’m touched by his response to the briefness of a human life. He encourages the reader not to rage against what is forever slipping or to fear the mystery from which we emerged and will return. But rather to be grateful, thankful for each breath in the bracing air, and to love each step on the frosty grass.

I am at an age when there are more days behind me than could possibly be ahead of me. I am often bewildered at how quickly it has all happened. My daughter is a grown woman, but I swear it was just last Tuesday I measured her by the size of her perfect infant head in the crook of my cradling arms. Everything goes to dust, but how beautiful dust can be in the sparkling light.

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