another poem

[Elaine Hansen2]

Reading Ralph's poem was enriching.  It reminded me of a poem (turned song) written by Randy Weeks, a member of A Small Group (Peter Block's community).  The poem is Randy's story of being part of A Small Group.  However, this poem also fits all the wonderful communication technologies that have been helping me (and you) re-birth how we gather.  I wanted to share it with you.  If you follow the link, you can hear Randy sing the song - he is an excellent musician.

Invitation

This is the Invitation
To a new conversation
Of depth over speed 
Of gift over need
A new Listening…
 
The structure of how we gather
Speaks of what really matters
Telling a new
Story of who
We are to each other
 
This is the Invitation
Community’s Restoration
By just showing up
We’re gifted enough
To birth a new world
 
Though we don’t know
what it will look like
We’re feeling that world’s alive
Like it’s ready to bloom
Here in this room
The seeds in each life
 
So Community’s New Frontier
Is finding all that we need, right here
To weave a rich, local life
Into a tapestry lined
With the connections we share

This is the invitation
To join a celebration
Of neighbors & friends
Connecting again
Creating the new…
 
Of neighbors & friends
Connecting again
Creating the new
 
My neighbors & friends
I’m glad to come in
And be here
With you.
 
Words & Music by Randy Weeks
http://randyweeks.posterous.com/invitation-a-song-about-awakening-community
with thanks to Peter Block and A Small Group
randy at weeks.org    April-July 2009




Elaine S. Hansen
Hansen Resource Development Inc
513.829.4734 office
513.238.5999 mobile
513.829.5414 fax 

...in the end, it is the reality of personal relationship that saves everything.
Thomas Merton


-----Original Message-----
From: OSLIST [mailto:OSLIST at LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU] On Behalf Of Barbara Bunker
Sent: Monday, May 10, 2010 9:55 AM
To: OSLIST at LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU
Subject: your poem

Hi Ralph... I just read your poem which is lovely...thank you.

Cam I ask if you received and email on the listserve that I sent out last week
about a session Billie and I are doing at ODN in Oct.  It was a call for cases
and since I didn't get one, I am worried that it didn't go.  B3

On Sun 05/09/10  4:11 PM , Ralph Copleman rcopleman at comcast.net sent:
> THE DAYS OF NOW
> On the night before Now
> 
> we all clambored over
> 
> and greeted each other by the gateway.
> Now came the first morning.
> 
> We opened for each other many conversations
> 
> and passed cups around the shining circle.
> On the second of Now,
> 
> I could see a long way in people's eyes
> 
> which cleared to let in the light.
> On the third of Now,
> 
> everyone started dialing up tomorrows,
> 
> released laughter and embraced 
> 
> every future Now with braided voices 
> 
> and sweat-slicked arms.
> Each night Now the sky
> 
> came down to join us,
> 
> like an animal testing the scents.
> On the fourth of Now
> 
> we saw magic inside ourselves
> 
> and blew gently the embers in each other.
> On the fifth day Now transformed
> 
> into pieces of hours and sounds.
> 
> There was baying and mirth
> 
> and sweet fresh rubbing of skin on skin.
> The sixth of Now saw us
> 
> plain and fearful, thrilled and drawn
> 
> to each other in new forever dreams.
> On the seventh of Now
> 
> we redrew all our lines,
> 
> filled all the hollows, as Now expected.
> At last the night Now
> 
> draped velvet and quiet
> 
> as hushed we prepared our ascent.
> This night is that night Now.
> 
> It has unquenchable questions
> 
> and the same different beginning.
> On top of morning Now
> 
> and all through evening Now
> 
> we waxed and shined the circle again
> 
> sipped each other's songs
> 
> and touched old and new alike.
> _Ralph Copleman_ * *
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