Light…as a feather

In the mailbox this morning…

Today is the 84th anniversary of the birth of author, essayist Jim Harrison. A “complete works” publication has just now been released by Copper Canyon Press. If you don't know Harrison's work, you are missing out on one of the world's greats, in the company of Jim Stafford. Get y'se'f some.

And...speaking of greats... yesterday was the 191st anniversary of the birth of Emily Dickenson, truly a worthy role model for anyone who ever loved even one poem from any author anywhere at any time. One quote attributed to her has become a favorite of mine: “Business, is not the business of poets.” Which may explain how it is that her poems are under copyright by by the President and Fellows of Harvard College and by the publishers and Trustees of Amherst College. I wonder how Emily would feel about that today. That said, I'll risk their wrath by posting a favorite:

Hope is the thing with feathers - (314)

Hope is the thing with feathers / That perches in the soul - / And sings the tune without the words - / And never stops - at all -

And sweetest - in the Gale - is heard - / And sore must be the storm - / That could abash the little Bird / That kept so many warm -

I’ve heard it in the chillest land - And on the strangest Sea - Yet - never - in Extremity, / It asked a crumb - of me.

And last/not least: kudo's to PBS for last night's (Friday 12.10.2021) broadcast of the documentary dedicated to the life of Gurū Nānak born on 15 April 1469 – 22 September 1539), the founder of Sikhism. If you are a learner, seeker of truth and wisdom, and if the phrase “We are the people of love” has some resonance for you, likely, for you the film is a must-see.