I have lived as a stranger in a far distant land,
Without a familiarity I could easily understand.
The loneliness of a stranger is difficult to hold,
Chill in the heart that feels just like winter cold.
I rest content among strangers so ready to give,
I seek out their kindnesses as if through a sieve.
No past memories in a relationship to compete,
Brief encounter of new beginnings to complete.
We begin as strangers with nothing much told,
A stranger offers something to break the mold.
From stranger to strangers for a little pleasure,
Simple kindness magnifies into valued treasure.
A lonely journey taken without any worry or care,
Destination unknown, luck and perhaps a prayer.
For many years moving from country to country,
Working for a living and seeking honest bounty.
As teacher, we think we have something to give,
Some faint wisdom filtered thru a fine linen sieve.
Fifty years have now passed since the beginning,
The first step on my journey, then I was grinning.
Not as a stranger have I followed the road taken,
Still living among strangers and still not mistaken.
As I read of your loneliness in this biographical poem, I also read of your adventure and resolve without regret. Well penned, this thought.
As I read I remember a cold winter semester back in my home state of Wisconsin where I knew nearly no one and suffered the cold and runny nosed allergy to my apartment as I waited out the so-called, Spring semester until my loneliness and isolation ended when my contract was not renewed.
A stranger? No. Only a friend I haven't met. I'd be curious to know how or why you came to be a teacher in distant lands, or are they teaching you as well?
again you spoil all of us with your permanent masterpieces, John. this one is something special because its theme and point are so familiar and close to each of us, the human beings, who have come to this world as strangers to leave it in the same part, no matter how much we strive to turn ourselves into the hosts and masters of the world. this means that some greater power is above us to show everyone his proper place. the only thing we need to do is to realize where it is throughout the distance called 'life.' Cheers, alex
"As teacher, we think we have something to give,
Some faint wisdom filtered thru a fine linen sieve"
As teachers we give to the students what we know they need.
Long lasting friendships are the gifts we give ourselves
after long term commitments to caring, understanding, and being
understood. As I get older, I have become more solitary and less in
need of friendships. Still, I extend myself every time an acquaintance asks, "can we do coffee" cuz you never know what can bloom out of a friendship. The photo is stunning, I often wonder what it would be like to live in the desert, ? , now I know. Thanks for the wonderful write today, Looking out my window, all I see is pine trees toppled with snow and fading ice. Soon, soon, we will get the heat, take care,
until the next time. Here is a cyber toast to you, and friendship.
The songs and art in this book are about our collective emergence after the pandemic and trauma of the last few years - comprised of 5 collections: World as Refuge, Where We Live, In Our Hands, Rhythms of Change and What We See & Sow.
Questions, unquestioned discoveries, and answers in parable and rhyme…. This collection records a journey starting with a 1960s retrospective and the first man on the moon, moving to a new millennium welcomed in with a terrorist spin, family crises,
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Trek up this way. We'll hike.
Love ya!
Jane
As I read I remember a cold winter semester back in my home state of Wisconsin where I knew nearly no one and suffered the cold and runny nosed allergy to my apartment as I waited out the so-called, Spring semester until my loneliness and isolation ended when my contract was not renewed.
Ron
Some faint wisdom filtered thru a fine linen sieve"
As teachers we give to the students what we know they need.
Long lasting friendships are the gifts we give ourselves
after long term commitments to caring, understanding, and being
understood. As I get older, I have become more solitary and less in
need of friendships. Still, I extend myself every time an acquaintance asks, "can we do coffee" cuz you never know what can bloom out of a friendship. The photo is stunning, I often wonder what it would be like to live in the desert, ? , now I know. Thanks for the wonderful write today, Looking out my window, all I see is pine trees toppled with snow and fading ice. Soon, soon, we will get the heat, take care,
until the next time. Here is a cyber toast to you, and friendship.