An OS-related poem

[Chris Corrigan]

Just to show you how much this list appreciates poetry, I'll throw one
right back at you.  I didn't write this, but I love the way it reminds
me of what happens in Open Space:


The Métier of Blossoming
By Denise Levertov

Fully occupied with growing--that's
the amaryllis. Growing especially
at night: it would take
only a bit more patience than I've got
to sit keeping watch with it till daylight;
the naked eye could register every hour's
increase in height. Like a child against a barn door,
proudly topping each year's achievement,
steadily up
goes each green stem, smooth, matte,
traces of reddish purple at the base, and almost
imperceptible vertical ridges
running the length of them:
Two robust stems from each bulb,
sometimes with sturdy leaves for company,
elegant sweeps of blade with rounded points.
Aloft, the gravid buds, shiny with fullness.

One morning--and so soon!--the first flower
has opened when you wake. Or you catch it poised
in a single, brief
moment of hesitation.
Next day, another,
shy at first like a foal,
even a third, a fourth,
carried triumphantly at the summit
of those strong columns, and each
a Juno, calm in brilliance,
a maiden giantess in modest splendor.
If humans could be
that intensely whole, undistracted, unhurried,
swift from sheer
unswerving impetus! If we could blossom
out of ourselves, giving
nothing imperfect, withholding nothing!

Chris

---
CHRIS CORRIGAN
Consultation - Facilitation
Open Space Technology

Bowen Island, BC, Canada
http://www.chriscorrigan.com
chris at chriscorrigan.com


>  -----Original Message-----
>  From: OSLIST [mailto:OSLIST at LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU] On Behalf Of
Douglas
>  D. Germann, Sr.
>  Sent: Wednesday, February 12, 2003 12:17 PM
>  To: OSLIST at LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU
>  Subject: An OS-related poem
>
>  To my good friends--
>
>  Here is a poem you might find useful in your work, or at least
enjoyable.
>  If you use it, provide attribution, if you please.
>
>  (I am a bit anxious about posting this here, not wanting to seem to
be
>  promoting anything; I hope you see this as connected to our OST work.
>  Thanks for your indulgence.)
>
>                                :-Doug.
>
>  ----Forwarded Message(s)----
>
>                       Footprints in the Wind/sm # 355
>
>                                ooOOOoo
>    o                                                                o
>        Each day:
>        Touch your height
>        Touch your depth
>        Touch your breadth
>        See how big
>        Is the
>        Open space
>        You are.
>    o                                                                o
>                                ooOOOoo
>
>     Please pass it on.
>
>                                :-Doug.
>
>     By Douglas D. Germann, Sr. c Copyright 2003, Learning Works,
>     Incorporated. All rights reserved. Easy reprint permissions:
>            Doug at FootprintsintheWind.com or 574/255-0022.
>           Archived at http://www.FootprintsintheWind.com
>     Please publish in your print or electronic periodical, with the
>                              above info.
>
>     If you want on or off this list, please reply to this address.
>
>  ----End Forwarded Message(s)----
>
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