all poems and photographs
© by Maya Stein

all poems and photographs
© by Maya Stein
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Tuesday, February 03, 2009

let each gift take hold


























Stop moving so fast, racing past street signs
like a runaway. Don't abandon your luggage
at the nearest depot. Unclench from the desire
to diminish, then disappear.

Come inside. Take off your shoes. Stay for dinner.
Here is a cup of tea, an oatmeal cookie, a novel.
Here is a fireplace, a pair of slippers, bed.
Here is the moon, and above that, the heavens.
Here is a good dream you might wake up from.
Here is everything you see, and everything you
can't quite. Now lift your head up,
with your hands if you have to,
and let each gift, singly and in its own time,
take hold.

4 comments:

crazymumma said...

The other morning? When younger was crawling at a snails pace up the street, in one sandbank sliding down another I was all c'mon c'mon hurry hurry.

But I stopped myself, because really, what would it matter if she were late for school on a fresh snow morning.

GailNHB said...

yes, very beautiful.
what a fantastic invitation.
and offer to open our hands and receive such beauty
such love.

Anonymous said...

Wow, this is so well written. I seriously have a problem with going through life too fast. I'm 21 years old and drive like a grandma, just so I can see all the colors on the trees (not present anymore) and the beautiful flowers that are by the side of the road. Slowing down feels really nice when the world around you is spinning too fast.

Anonymous said...

Maya, this stopped me from my inside world of racing thougts, allergic to the fear mongers on the news, and made me listen to teh beat of my heart, the only really good news I need to hear. Thanks for the reminder!
Dianne J.