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| Samhain's Fire (M.A. Reilly, 2010, Morristown, NJ) |
It's been a long winter. Cold. Icy. Holding on and here, almost April--and winter's not giving way to spring with any ease. I hear that it may snow today.
II.
Unexpected gifts come when we most need them.
Yesterday, I had lunch with a friend, Catherine Cronin, in from Galway. We have met one other time, oddly enough in England and it was so good to see her sitting in a restaurant on the Upper West Side. She brought me a book of poems-- Hands by Moya Cannon-- an Irish poet she knows. When I arrived home this evening, I read.
Towards the end of the book is this jewel:
Apples and Fire
As we entered
the dark winter room
there, shining on the table
were apples, gathered
in haste last September --
each one a small lamp.
Later, as the stove's fire
carved into the cold
I began to understand
why fire was worshipped.
To share heat in winter
sweetness in winter,
is to know blessing.
III.
What art, like friendship, does so well is help shift perspective--to reveal what is most hidden. On this last day of the Slice of Life challenge, I wish for you--fire to worship.
Mary Ann, what a joy it was to meet yesterday! Our friendship is conducted mostly online, asynchronously, and usually with a wide ocean between us. But meeting and eating together yesterday was just like you describe, with Moya's poem -- sitting by the fire, sharing heat in the winter. Thank you so much for your generosity in so many ways: your writing and your art, which speak to me deeply, and most of all your friendship.
ReplyDeleteThe pleasure was surely mine. Blessing abound. I've begun reading The White Goddess--my attempt to find my roots. It was so grand to meet you yesterday. Such joy in that.
DeleteCommunity is a blessing. Thanks for being a part of it this march - and hope to see you on Tuesdays.
ReplyDeleteYes, tara there are blessings and they seem to abound. I look forward to reading more of your SOLs and learning about you and your work with your students. Thanks for making this new experience so fine.
DeleteCommunity is a blessing. Thanks for being a part of it this march - and hope to see you on Tuesdays.
ReplyDeleteMary Ann, it was nice to slice with you this month. I love your writing...and your art. Thank you for your inspiration.
ReplyDeleteDeborah, the feeling is surely mutual. Who knows, perhaps we will meet at some writers/artists' retreat in the future. Thank you for making this experience one of growth.
Deletebeautiful slice! thank you!
ReplyDeleteMy pleasure, Sonja.
DeleteYour photo takes my breath away, Mary Ann. And "Apples and Fire" is just as sublime. Thank you for this beautiful slice, and for introducing me to Moya Cannon's poetry.
ReplyDeleteSo glad the work resonates. The book is wonderful.
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