abbey of the arts had a fabulous post today called "
radical hospitality." i found it to be quite thought provoking and inspirational. pop on over and take a read.
ugliness knocks at my inner door
“go away” I say. “leave me alone.
I left you far behind long ago.”
but no. he is persistent.
he bangs & clangs the knocker.
“I am here and here I will stay
until you look me in the eye.”
I cover my own eyes as if I have
just stepped out of the darkness
into a blaring headlight.
it hurts and I shrink back for
I do not want to look ugliness in the eye.
he has followed me too long and
too far until I find myself
hiding from his face of derision
“time to work with me” he says
“it is time and you have run too long.”
ugliness is his name and I must
invite him in.
I cry. I weep. I moan.
it hurts too much to look in that mirror.
face twisted. beauty distorted.
ah, is that who ugliness is?
beauty distorted
gifts turned on their side
passion crying to be met
holding. weeping.
loneliness.
I fear it and so I close the door
and make myself alone.
I twist beauty into a mangled mess
and then I spit it out.
ugliness has come knocking at my door
“let me in” he says. “look at me. I am yours.”
he holds the mirror to my face
and shows me what I long for
aching to release hurt and loneliness.
oh Lord will I never come out of this
painful circle?
the cycle that keeps me alone
that pushes others away and holds
beauty’s distortion
ugliness has come knocking at my door
how will I invite him in?
gently, kindly. can I do it?
“take a look at me” he says.
“I am yours.”
I see mere shadow
growing in twilight,
dancing in moonglow,
going on his way
I open my eyes to see that
he is simply beauty distorted
the door is wide and
we are released
well, i made another donation to the arts today. this time it was in the form of a $25 entry fee for the antigonish review poetry contest. (oh, i also sent a few poems along with the donation). some lucky poet will have the pleasure of winning an award and being published. i can at least say i had a small part in it. 
This week at Abbey of the Arts, Christine offers this incredible image along with her poetry prompt. When I looked at this magical bird all I could see was "freedom." So, this time rather than drawing on my own words (which seem sparse in comparison to the image) I am choosing to share this piece of work from John O'Donohue. I hope you will head on over to the poetry party and leave your own interpretation!
this past weekend, tess posted an evocative poem by marge piercy along with commentary about the power of poetry.
