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 ra...@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:osl...@listserv.boisestate.edu] On Behalf Of Barbara Bunker Sent: Monday, May 10, 2010 9:55 AM To: osl...@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 rcople...@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_ * * > ========================================================== > osl...@listserv.boisestate.edu ------------------------------ To > subscribe, unsubscribe, change your options, view the archives of > osl...@listserv.boisestate.edu: > http://listserv.boisestate.edu/archives/oslist.html To learn about > OpenSpaceEmailLists and OSLIST FAQs: > http://www.openspaceworld.org/oslist > * * ========================================================== osl...@listserv.boisestate.edu ------------------------------ To subscribe, unsubscribe, change your options, view the archives of osl...@listserv.boisestate.edu: http://listserv.boisestate.edu/archives/oslist.html To learn about OpenSpaceEmailLists and OSLIST FAQs: http://www.openspaceworld.org/oslist * * ========================================================== osl...@listserv.boisestate.edu ------------------------------ To subscribe, unsubscribe, change your options, view the archives of osl...@listserv.boisestate.edu: http://listserv.boisestate.edu/archives/oslist.html To learn about OpenSpaceEmailLists and OSLIST FAQs: http://www.openspaceworld.org/oslist
