Wednesday, November 29, 2006

Wasp

Wasp

Hammer, hammer, hammer, the wasp
has been banging his head on the window for hours;
you'd think by now he'd be brain-dead, but no,
he flings himself at the pane: hammer, hammer again.

I ease around him to open the sash, hoping
he doesn't sting me because then I'd be sorry
I didn't kill him, but he pays me no mind:
it's still fling, hammer, fling, hammer again.

I'm sure his brain's safe, his bones are outside,
but up there mine are too, so why does it hurt
so much to keep thinking—hammer, hammer—
the same things again and, hammer, again?

That invisible barrier between you and the world,
between you and your truth ... Stinger blunted,
wings frayed, only the battering, battered brain,
only the hammer, hammer, hammer again.

C. K. Williams

Saturday, November 25, 2006

Till We Have Faces

"Die before you die. There is no chance after."
-C.S. Lewis

Monday, November 13, 2006

”When people are trying to change a habit of thought or behaviour, they often complain that it takes too much effort. Others may criticize them for not having a strong enough will. What actually happens is that such people are trying to force a habit to change by using their muscles against it, and this is true whether the habit is physical or mental.

This kind of forceful attempt creates tension that locks up the body’s energy and makes people feel worn out. They end up literally fighting themselves, which is rarely effective. All you really have to do is make your decision by your will, relax your muscles, and direct your attention in the way you want to go, until the new habit is established. If you ever feel that using your will is an effort relax and Start over.”

King Serge Kahili

Monday, November 06, 2006

"I am part of all that I have met"
-Al Tennyson
Ulysses