poets know where “here” is.

Lost

Stand still. The trees ahead and bushes beside you
Are not lost. Wherever you are is called Here,
And you must treat it as a powerful stranger,
Must ask permission to know it and be known.
The forest breathes. Listen. It answers,
I have made this place around you,
If you leave it you may come back again, saying Here.
No two trees are the same to Raven.
No two branches are the same to Wren.
If what a tree or a bush does is lost on you,
You are surely lost. Stand still. The forest knows
Where you are. You must let it find you.

~ David Wagoner

You must let it find you.

In continued celebration of National Poetry Month.

About Patti Digh

Patti Digh is an author, speaker, and educator who builds learning communities and gets to the heart of difficult topics. Her work over the last three decades has focused on diversity, inclusion, social justice, and living and working mindfully. She has developed diversity strategies and educational programming for major nonprofit and corporate organizations and has been a featured speaker at many national and international conferences.

4 comments to " poets know where “here” is. "
  • “Wherever you are is called Here,/ And you must… ask permission to know it and be known.”
    I love that. It’s not unlike something we say at The High Calling, whatever you are doing right now is where you need to love people and love God. Our version is a little preachier and less poetic, but I think the underlying truth is the same.

    We need permission from ourselves and the people around us to serve others no matter what we are doing.

  • Mrsmediocrity

    sigh

  • Sancy

    Two of my favorite poems back to back here, April 17 and 18 (though today is July 25!).
    Awesome!!

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