In the mood

The soul of one who loves God always swims in joy, always keeps holiday, and is always in the mood for living. 
                                                               St. John of the Cross

I was not busy

Red Brocade

The Arabs used to say,

When a stranger appears at your door,

feed him for three days

before asking who he is,

where he’s come from,

where he’s headed.

That way, he’ll have strength

enough to answer.

Or, by then you’ll be

such good friends

you don’t care.

Let’s go back to that.

Rice? Pine nuts?

Here, take the red brocade pillow.

My child will serve water

to your horse.

No, I was not busy when you came!

I was not preparing to be busy.

That’s the armor everyone put on

to pretend they had a purpose

in the world.

I refuse to be claimed.

Your plate is waiting.

We will snip fresh mint

into your tea.

             Naomi Shihab Nye

Holy Ramadan

I can think. I can wait. I can fast. 
               Hermann Hesse, Siddhartha



 

Wild Dreams

If one does not have wild dreams of achievement, there is no spur even to get the dishes washed.  One must think like hero to behave like a merely decent human being. 
                                                May Sarton

Pledge of Allegiance

I pledge my allegiance to the damned human race, and my everlasting love to the green hills of Earth, and my intimations of glory to the singing stars, to the very end of space and time.  
                                      Edward Abbey, Confessions of a Barbarian