The River Flows in Every Direction
A curation of poems written by the Poetry Outdoors community.
Dear Friends,
Each month, I share a collection of poems written during The Meadow, our monthly generative writing circle that weaves together zen teachings and nature poetry.
In July, we explored The Art of the Koan, a contemplative riddle or question that is meant to invite us into a state of mindful exploration that stretches us beyond an ordinary state into an awakened one. We each wrote our own koan-inspired poem, beginning with a question and taking it somewhere unexpected.
Share some love in the comments for our featured poets: Laura Coleman, Colin Lake, Marion Gibbon, Abbie Shanahan, Katelynn, and Ziv Peleg.
What direction does the river flow?
The stone sits still in the sand.
Everything goes the same direction.
- Ash Kilback
What is the sound of silence?
The infinite sky speaks in starlight.
The answers are found within.- Laura Coleman
What have you forgotten
the sun setting over the western sea
matter can only be changed
– Colin Lake
When did you know?
The oak’s branches stretched up as far as its roots below.
A butterfly alighted on a crown.- Marion Gibbon
How does it all begin?
A pumpkin rots in the thaw of winter.
Unexpected harvest.- Abbie Shanahan
What happens inside the chrysalis?
Monarch unfurls her cloak,
Earth receives all.- Katelynn Hegedus
Koan on a Sparrow and Cherry tree Ziv Peleg A sparrow in my garden loves to come and sing upon a cherry tree Eating a small cherry freely and joyfully Having earlier plucked blossoms to sip their nectar While the tree continues to breathe fresh air, blooming quietly I contemplate the koan nature bestowed upon the cherry tree 'Short time, where is the long?' I contemplate the koan nature bestowed upon the sparrow 'Small and fragile, where is the resilience?' And the unspoken koan of their brief meeting 'Common and majestic – where is the shared purity?' My heart asks how the cherry and the sparrow embody the koan; how nature holds it within their hearts? Their meeting leaves me with breathtaking image A sudden glint of eternity flashes into my heart My koan was before me
The Animal of Our Grief: Generative Writing Workshop
Sunday, August 23rd | 9AM PST | Via Zoom
I am excited to share a new offering for paid subscribers!
In addition to our monthly meadow circle, I will be teaching a generative writing workshop every quarter. Our first workshop, The Animal of Our Grief, will explore animal symbolism and sacred encounters with wildlife that come to us like messengers from other realms, especially when we are in seasons of grieving.
During the workshop, we’ll read a few poems that speak to animal themes and write into the wilder territories of our grief using animal symbolism.
I am currently offering 20% off all paid yearly subscriptions until Sunday, August 9th. Receive your special offer below:
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What a collection! Much to digest. And I love how Ziv's rounds it all out. Thank you for guiding us through the Meadow, Ash.