The other world signals
with blankets of snow,
quieting the noise
in moments of peace.
Not to be outdone
cars roar back to life
and the search for joy
resumes at full throttle.
While contemplating
the last threads of night
the other world continues
long after our meander
and the broken pieces
of our perfect egg
are laid to rest
beneath the forest dark.
There the value of kindness
is priced against the market
and the value of the market
is found to be zero.
photograph by Adrianna Carr
Reading of “Beneath the Forest Dark” with music by Kiev Chamber Choir.
Lovely Ukrainian Choral music fitting for your pensive poem, Don. I need to just be with this one for a few more reads and listenings to your calming, reassuring voice. Thank you.
The gold standard of kindness. I like that a lot. Thanks, Don
Don, thanks. I see Lou M. has another week off. Adrianna Carr is a fine substitute, well matched with today’s poem.
Perhaps hidden beneath the forest dark there was original meaning to the word given to man and woman collectively. “Mankind.”
“Keep practicing kindness, Jonathan…” were the final words from that seagull’s mentor, if I remember correctly. When I was 14, the teaching seemed too simple. But 50 years later, it is maybe the highest value.
I’m enjoying spending some time with this one Don! Both thought and heart
provoking. Strong words for a world which searches for wholeness and joy
where the broken pieces lie. Love the phrase, “cars roar back to life and the search for joy resumes at full throttle.” Brilliant Don! Thank You.
Don — What does the “market” know about kindness? Maybe Henry James said it best: “Three things in human life are important: the first is to be kind; the second is to be kind; and the third is to be kind.” Thanks for another lovely poem today.
We all learn eventually that the value of the market is zero.
In this moment, I can see the “other world” as being Mother Earth, whose value of kindness is beyond price. And when I hear her ever-patient words, “Child, it’s time to clean your room”, I know deep down that my “room” is hers, and hers is mine. And it’s high time to lay all broken pieces to rest.
As the search for joy continues eagerly in the human world, I ponder on kindness and its ability to heal. A kind, open heart is giving thus clearly, able to understand the situations and generously surround it with love and light. Thank you, Don, for your wisdom. I honor it.
Don, this poem is a perfect egg, and so well-woven that all the metaphors, the descriptive passages, fit together in an invincible whole. Truly this is one of your best! Thank you.
Good one, Don.
Starting at zero, the rest is all win💖♒️