I take my leave for the next day and will return Monday. I find in the quiet time those important things, their roots, and the dirt they grew in. Several Buddhist authors wrote about the need to recognize both the flowers and the weeds in our gardens. Charles Olson wrote this beautiful, simple, short poem I think echoes that message. I examine life fully and grow attentive, present, and creative in moments of solitude. The gap between stimulus and response grows. I explore radical opportunities to respond, not react. Enjoy.
whatever you have to say, leave
the roots on, let them
dangle
And the dirt
Just to make clear
where they come from
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About ivonprefontaine
I have been an educator for almost 20 years. Prior to that, I worked in private industry for 15 years, then returned to university to earn my education degree. For the past 11 years, I have been a co-creator of learning in a unique, progressive, alternative educational school of choice. Currently, I am engaged in a doctoral program at Gonzaga University in Spokane. A main theme in my learning there has been the roles of systems thinking, complexity theory, and organizational theory, and how they apply to education generally and the learning environment I share with students, parents, and colleagues.
That is my favorite Charles Olson poem. I missed being able to study with hum by a few years when he taught at SUNY at Buffalo. But did get to work with Creely–in fact we shared and office when I was a TA. Great Choice.>KB
Thank you. You are such a lucky person.
I LOVE this quote, or poem really. YES – YES, leave the roots on.
We need to remind ourselves of where we came from.
wonderful imagery
It is beautiful. Thank you for the comment Pam.
Very Taoist thought and imagery…. literally down to earth!
It reminded me of the writings of Senryu Suzuki as I was reading it the other day.
I like this idea to recognise everything in their own setting rather than just that which is desired.
I agree Alex. We lose sight of the beauty of the whole of nature.
Take time to smell the flowers also..Even the wild ones.
Even the weeds.