by Sherry Marr
up early,
pre-dawn dog walk past the Mission
fellow pushing a cart stops me:
“I’m a human being…
and a teacher you know.”
He looked up into the sky,
then back to me.
“Got a word for you… your homework:
find joy.”
I handed him some money –
he pushed it back with both hands.
“Give that to the next saint you meet,
there’s one just up the street.”
He gave his cart a big inertia breaking push
turned the corner singing.
by Chris Olson, the Tired Monk
who writes at Humbucker Poems
Recently, I watched the movie Collateral Beauty starring Will Smith, who portrays a man in grief struggling with life in the midst of a grievous loss. A character in the movie tells him, “Don’t forget to notice the moments of collateral beauty.” Collateral beauty could be defined as those moments of awe when we realize our profound connection to everything. I am fortunate to experience these moments often; I imagine most poets do.
As I was writing this, I came across Brother Ollie’s poem, above. (Brother Ollie is the Tired Monk’s moniker.) It is such an EXCELLENT, heart-lifting example of finding these moments, that I asked for his permission to share it with you. He replied, with his assent: “I’ve been thinking a lot about our homeless community, and I work a lot at trying to help them. I often stop and chat with various street people, and toss them a little positivity, and human connection. It is amazing how often they offer me blessings. Joy is our homework!”
I love that so much! His poem describes those soul-filling moments when we experience the beauty that human beings are capable of, even – or especially – in dark times.
The world is so beautiful, everywhere – the beauty of nature shining through, no matter what place on the planet we inhabit, or what horrors are going on. I think that is what hurts so much – observing the beauty and generosity of Mother Earth, even while we are making her ill. (We mothers can relate to that; our job description includes a great deal of self-sacrifice.) And then there are the lovely moments when humans reach out to each other, stretching our hearts. Or try to save a forest. Or live as conscious human beings, among all the other beings.
Living where I do, in the spectacular landscape of Clayoquot Sound, beauty is front and centre every day. I think of the quote:
Life is not measured in how many breaths we take,
but in the moments that take our breath away.
Daily, I catch my breath in wonder and gratitude: at morning fog swirling through the trees and slowly lifting at the beach; at ancient cedar with impossibly wide gnarled trunks – beings that have witnessed one or two thousand years of living; at sunrises and sunsets beautiful enough to break your heart – or make it soar!
It is hard in those moments to believe anything at all is wrong on this planet – until you turn on the news. Some people prefer not to know; they feel more comfortable staying inside their bubble. But we poets are observers of life and recorders of history – and herstory. It is our job to know, to bear witness, to sing out warnings, songs of grief, love and gratitude for all that still is so plentiful, still ours, for this short span of time. We are the canaries in the mine.
But just as the quote – and poetry – reminds us, the moments of collateral beauty are many and they are there every day, if we slow our pace enough to catch them. I often recall the words of my activist friend that I have shared with you before: “Mother Earth feels your pain. Let her feel your joy too.” Let’s keep our eyes wide open for the moments of collateral beauty.
While I was putting this challenge together, I came across another wonderful example of this in the following poem by our own Sarah Connor, who writes at Sarah writes poems. Poems like these really lift the spirit and expand the heart, reminding us that love is what matters, no matter what – love, humanity, and gratitude for the beauty of this world we’re walking through. Check out Sarah’s beautiful affirmation:
Is this a sad song, or a happy one?
I’m never sure. But turn it up,
let all that richness pour
out of the speakers. Let it roll,
and see the world unfurl
under your gaze. Look again
at every tree, at that dog sniffing
at the wall, at that child holding tightly
to his mother’s hand. That’s love.
Look at the sky. It’s blue. It’s truly blue.
Look at the grass. It’s green. Look out
for love – it comes in different ways.
Yes, turn it up. He’s singing now.
We’re singing, too. It’s true –
what a wonderful world this is,
the one we’re living in,
the one we’re moving through.
Sigh. So lovely.
Your challenge: As you walk through the hours this week, be alert for those moments of collateral beauty. It can be a moment experienced in nature, or a shining example of human resonance, as in the poems above. It can be as small as morning dew on a spider web in the garden, or as large as a mountain turning purple at twilight. Take note of that unexpected indrawn breath, eyes widened in wonder, heart opened and warmed by what is being witnessed. Then write your poem. Take our breath away. I am especially looking forward to your responses to this challenge.
earthweal 
This is a beautiful challenge, Sherry. It took me in a certain direction, and that direction was back in time. I hope that’s ok!
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I tried twice to leave a comment – I hope you got it. If not I just wanted to say I lost my mother just a little over a month ago – She was a vibrant 91 and within a week was gone. I connected VERY much to your beautiful poem.
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Thank you Margaret! I didn’t receive your comments unfortunately, but I do appreciate your kind words. Sorry for your loss 🙏
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Of course it is, Ingrid. I was saying to Brendan, given two positive prompts in a row, not my usual angst, that people will think I fell and hurt my head. Smiles. Sure enough, after our brief moment of joy, the police are back arresting people at Fairy Creek. Sigh. However, this week we shall focus on the beauty all around. I am really looking forward to the responses. Thank you, Brendan, for this forum.
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I love this prompt I will be back to share.
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Yay!
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Okay, I posted. It has been raining here and my heart was heavy. I was searching for a sign and the heavens gave me a gift of beauty on this autumn day.
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I am having some computer problems, including connectivity, this morning, most frustrating. If there is a delay in my making the rounds, this is why. Am working hard to resolve this.
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This is such a lovely prompt, Sherry, and Brother Ollie’s poem is a delight! When I was going through my first lot of chemo (13 years ago) I kept a journal of 3 Good Things, forcing myself to note down 3 good things that happened every day. I think it’s a fairly standard well-being practice now. This has reminded me how helpful that was – I kept it up for a long time, and then life was OK, and I let it drift. I think it might be time to take it up again!
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Brendan here — in AA ’tis said that a grateful alcoholic will never drink again. That’s the power of gratitude.
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Every night before I close my eyes, I think of one thing I am grateful for in the day. Wishing you health and peace.
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That is a lovely practice, Sarah. There has been so much bad news, I think you’re onto something!
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Great challenge Sherry – such an invocation to enchantment. I’ve resisted an old sanctum to find more dancing in the windows there.
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I love this challenge, Sherry, and hope my poem hasn’t gone too far afield from its intent.
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I am LOVING the responses to this challenge. Thank you, everyone, for giving voice to the beauty of this world we are walking through.
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Hi,
I’m new here 🙂 I loved the prompt and this little poem just poured out of me in response, so I thought I would share. And since I don’t have a website I hope it is okay if I leave it in the comments.
Sun drenched sky
Last sweet rays slowly sinking behind the hill
Purple clouds rolling in
Smell of rain arriving
Damp earth under bare feet
All breathed in
In one deep breath
An instant
A moment
Already gone…
As I run to the barn for another bottle of milk
….to make a cup of nighttime tea
Is this was it means to belong?
To know the earth is holding me
To feel the sweet air in my lungs
To feel nestled in the changing of the seasons
To notice winter lives also in me
That I too must slow down…
What does it mean to belong to the land?
What do such brief fleeting moments of awe have to teach us?
The quiet rustle of leaves
Blows through the open kitchen window
The soft song of a nighttime bird wafts in on the breeze
The stars twinkle
And for a fleeting moment the world is at ease
As I slowly sip my nighttime tea
Thank you for this space 💚
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Lovely poem Frankie. Open a blog for your poems and return.
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Lovely to see you here Frankie. 💚
Beautiful poem, I could breathe that with you.
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There is peacefulness in your words, Thank you for sharing.
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Frankie, thank you for sharing your very beautiful poem. I was transported to your farm, could almost see the stars. So happy you stopped by. Hope to see you again.
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Loved the prompt Sherry….Thanks !
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So nice to see you, Rall!
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Sorry for the late entry. Due to the poor wi-fi here and a new i-pad I’ve had trouble posting. But actually it’s due to my poor computer skills. Glad to contribute though.
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Lovely to see you, Myrna. Having computer glitches of my own, most annoying. So glad you stopped by.
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Myrna, there is something wrong with your link. It isnt taking us to your blog. Would you please try re-linking again? Thanks, my friend.
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I can’t access Myrna and Truedessa’s poems – not sure if it’s a problem with the Blogger platform…I will keep trying!
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I re-linked my poem. Hope this one works.
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I also can’t access Truedessa’s link.
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Yes, with the glitch going on, True closed her link, as she wasnt sure what was happening……..thanks for re-linking, Myrna.
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Mine is now re/opened. Yay
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Thank you… I love these challenges and I am hoping my time will be freeing up a bit …
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Lovely to see you here, Margaret. Thanks for stopping by.
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Hey, Sherry. Thanks so much for the prompt. I appreciate it so much as it fits right into how the month plays out for me. It’s a month full of collateral beauty. I saw just now that many poets wrote about their mothers. How very sweet. I shared my story. Hope you and the team likes something I shared. Thanks for the chance to post this here. You rock. I wish you all miracles.
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Selma, I am so glad you came by and shared with us. Heading over to read right now.
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So sorry Sherry, I just missed the link. Away from home and not at my computer. Will.post on the open link weekend. Thanks for the lovely prompt.
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