Saturday ~ June 2, 2018

It is easier to live through someone else than to become complete yourself.

(Betty Friedan, 1921 - 2006)

Friday ~ June 1, 2018

History is the long and tragic story of the fact that privileged groups seldom give up their privileges voluntarily... An unjust law is a code that a majority inflicts on the minority that is not binding on itself. This is difference made legal. On the other hand a just law is a code the the majority compels a minority to follow that it is willing to follow itself. This is sameness made legal... We must come to see that human progress never rolls in on wheels of inevitability. It comes through the tireless efforts and persistent work of men and women willing to be co-workers with God, and without this hard work time itself becomes an ally of the forces of social stagnation. We must use time creatively, and forever realize that the time is always right to do right.

(Dr. Martin LutherKing, Jr., 1929 - 1968)

Thursday ~ May 31, 2018

Tenderness and rot share a border.
And rot is an aggressive neighbor whose iridescence keeps creeping over.
No lessons can be drawn from this however.
One is not two countries.
One is not meat corrupting.
It is important to stay sweet and loving.

(Kay Ryan, b. 1945)

Wednesday ~ May 30, 2018

We are not lovers
because of the love
 we make
 but the love
we have

We are not friends
 because of the laughs
we spend
but the tears
 we save

I don't want to be near you
 for the thoughts we share
 but the words we never have
 to speak

I will never miss you
because of what we do
but what we are
 together

(Nikki Giovanni, b. 1943)

Tuesday ~ May 29, 2018

But no matter how short, our lives have been blessed.
We live in a land without famine or war,
each night we smooth down into the grace of sheets.
How we forget to be grateful.
In the morning we will have fresh fruit,
and music and news.
Roses will scent the air.
And all that we have forgotten,
the mockingbird will repeat
into small green spaces
of our still unripened hearts.

(Barbara Crooker, b. 1945)

Monday ~ May 28, 2018

I think continually of those who were truly great.
Who, from the womb, remembered the soul's history
Through corridors of light where the hours are suns,
Endless and singing. Whose lovely
 ambition
was that their lips, still touched
 with fire,
should tell of the Spirit clothed
 from head to foot in song.
And who hoarded from the spring
 branches
The desires falling across their
 bodies like blossoms.

(Stephen Spender, 1909 - 1995)

Sunday ~ MAY 27, 2018

Dear darkening ground,
you've endured so patiently the walls we'vs built,
perhaps you'll give the cities one more hour before you become forest again, and water, and widening wilderness in that hour of inconceivable terror when you take back your name from all things.
Just give me a little more time!
I want to love things
As no one has thought to love them,
Until they're worthy of you and real.

(Rainer Maria Rilke, 1875 - 192)