It would be trite, flowery, and over-dramatic to say that my days lately have been filled with poetry, but that is, in fact, the case. As 2010 came to a close, I looked back on that year’s resolution, to read a poem a day, to assess the project. That meant flipping through my Franklin Planner to remember what I read, and read the various notes I made to myself regarding what I’d read.
One person—I hate to pigeon hole this philosopher, theologian, artist, and poet with just one label—who featured prominently in the project was the late John O’Donohue. I read a lot of poems from his wonderful book, To Bless the Space Between Us: A Book of Blessings (paid link) (check your local bookstore).
I rarely wish for riches, but if I had them, I would give a copy of this book to everyone I love!
On the day I read his piece, A Morning Offering, I copied the last stanza into my planner. I won’t quote it here, but it’s well worth seeking out. They are incredibly powerful words with which to start each day, or, as it happens, a new year. The words speak against living one’s life in fear.