Despite the things that
crack and break, there are
these unexpected moments
of calm, like the swing of a
hammock in the one patch
of light that warms our legs.
These moments keep
everything from falling apart,
like the bluebird atop its small
house, its blueness so pure
it makes me drop all worry.
The miracle isn’t always
parting some vast sea. More
often, it arrives like the strum
of a guitar or a piece of silk
slipping on the wind.
A Question to Walk With: In conversation with a friend or loved one, tell the story of some quiet moment and how it kept things together.
This is from my book of poems in progress, Suchness.
Mark will be offering retreats and a few special journeys in 2024. Below are some of his offerings:
APRIL 26–28: Reading and Weekend Retreat, Saying Yes to Life: From Brokenness to Tenderness, The Sophia Institute, Charleston, SC, or call 843–720–8528
https://thesophiainstitute.org/events/saying-yes-to-life-from-brokenness-to-tenderness/?occurrence=2024-04-26
MAY 6: Drinking from the River of Light, Talk on the Creative Process, The Gilmore Festival, Kalamazoo Public Library, The Van Duesen Room, 2PM —
https://www.thegilmore.org/event/mark-nepo/
May 18–24, 2024 The Gift of Deepening and the Radiance in All Things, a weeklong retreat on a river cruise in France hosted by Global Journeys, .
https://globalj.org/the-gift-od-deepening-overview/
JUNE 28–30: Omega Institute, Rhinebeck, NY, Falling Down and Getting Up: Discovering Your Inner Resilience and Strength, Weekend Retreat, (web link)
AUG 16–18: Mercy By the Sea, 167 Neck Rd, Madison, CT, Publication Retreat centered on You Don’t Have to Do It Alone: The Net of Friendship, Fri 7–9:30PM EST Sat 9:30–5:30PM EST, Sun 9:30–12:30PM —
https://www.mercybythesea.org/events/
Sept 16–21, 2024 You Don’t Have to Do It Alone: The Power of Friendship, a Mastery Week at the Modern Elder Academy in Santa Fe, Mexico, .
https://www.meawisdom.com/workshop/the-power-of-friendship-with-mark-nepo
NOV 1–3: Harmony Hill Retreat Center, Union, WA, Weekend Retreat, You Don’t Have to Do It Alone: The Net of Friendship Contact Harmony Hill for info: https://www.harmonyhill.org/contact-connections/
Dec 8–14, Saying Yes to Life: The One Life We’re Given, a weeklong retreat in Costa Rica, hosted by Global Journeys, .
https://globalj.org/mark-nepo-costa-rica-overview/
