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Ithaka

January 1, 2009 By Jenny Ryan Leave a Comment

Image courtesy of Free Foto.

I prefer the version of this poem as adapted by Sarah Ban Breathnach in her book, Simple Abundance.

Pray that your journey be long,
full of many summer mornings
when with much pleasure and joy
you anchor in harbors never seen before;
Browse through Phoenician markets,
to purchase exquisite treasures-
mother-of-pearl and coral, ebony and amber
and sensual perfumes of all kinds-
as much as you desire.
Visit many Egyptian cities, content
to sit at the feet of sages, eager
and open to receive learning.

Keep Ithaka always in your mind.
Your arrival there is your destiny.
But do not hurry the journey at all; be patient.
Better that it lasts for many years-
longer than you can even imagine.
So that finally, when you reach this
sacred isle, you will be a wise woman,
abundantly fulfilled by all you have gained along the way;
no longer expecting Ithaka to make you wealthy,
no longer needing Ithaka to make you rich.

And should you find her poor, Ithaka did not deceive you.
Authentic as you have become, full of wisdom,
beauty and grace, enriched and enlightened by all you have experienced
You will finally understand what all of life’s Ithakas truly mean.

Here’s to the journey of 2009.

Filed Under: CFG Loves Things Wordy Tagged With: ithaka, journey, poem, sarah ban breathnach, simple abundance

Creative Rebellion

November 1, 2007 By Jenny Ryan 1 Comment

So I’ve been up since about 2:30 this morning, dealing with some intestinal issues that can best be described as “explosive”, which means that any tasks that cannot be performed while lying prostrate in the hallway next to the bathroom door so as to reduce my commute time just aren’t happening today.

So in lieu of any kind of keen, thoughtful, penetrating, or insightful post today, instead I share this poem that arrived in my inbox via Jill Badonsky’s monthly e-zine. This issue is about the relationship between creativity and rebellion, and while I don’t have any personal experience in that area-(SNORT! Yeah, okay, I can’t even type that with a straight face.) Ahem, as I was saying, this issue is about the relationship between creativity and rebellion, and since that is a subject which is near and dear to my heart, I really appreciated this poem.

“They’ll”

by Cheryl Denise, from I Saw God Dancing. © Dream Seeker Books, 2005.

They’ll

take your soul
and put it in a suit,
fit you in boxes
under labels,
make you look like the Joneses.

They’ll tell you go a little blonder,
suggest sky-blue
tinted contact lenses,
conceal that birthmark
under your chin.

They’ll urge you to have babies
get fulfilled.
They’ll say marriage is easy,
flowers from Thornhills
are all you need
to keep it together.

They’ll push you to go ahead,
borrow a few more grand,
build a dream house.
Your boys need Nikes,
your girls cheerleading,
and all you need is your job
9 to 5 in the same place.

They’ll order you never to cry
in Southern States,
and never, ever dance
in the rain.

They’ll repeat all the things
your preschool teacher said
in that squeaky too tight voice.

And when you slowly
let them go,
crack your suit,
ooze your soul
in the sun,
when you run through
the woods with your dog,
read poems to swaying cornfields,
pray in tall red oaks,
they’ll whisper
and pretend you’re crazy.

Filed Under: CFG Loves Things Wordy Tagged With: cheryl denise, poem

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