Star Poetry and Music

Sometimes looking at the stars has a lovely way of placing things in perspective. You feel so small, yet so embraced in the vastness of sky, light and sea. My own pulse calms, steadies, and becomes more in sync with the pulse of creation. Take in a deep breath and look up at the stars...

Here are two very different perspectives on Stars. One is the poem "Stars" by Freya Manfred and the other is a video/song by the band Switchfoot called "When I look at the Stars."

What happens to your heart when you go stargazing?

What matters most? It's a foolish question because I'm hanging on,
just like you. No, I'm past hanging on. It's after midnight and I'm falling
toward four a.m., the best time for ghosts, terror, and lost hopes.

No one says anything of significance to me. I don't care if the President's
a two year old, and the Vice President's four. I don't care if you're
cashing in your stocks or building homes for the homeless.

I was a caring person. I would make soup and grow you many flowers.
I would enter your world, my hands open to catch your tears,
my lips on your lips in case we both went deaf and blind.

But I don't care about your birthday, or Christmas, or lover's lane,
or even you, not as much as I pretend. Ah, I was about to say,

"I don't care about the stars" -- but I had to stop my pen.
Sometimes, out in the silent black Wisconsin countryside
I glance up and see everything that's not on earth, glowing, pulsing,
each star so close to the next and yet so far away.

Oh, the stars. In lines and curves, with fainter, more mysterious
designs beyond, and again, beyond. The longer I look, the more I see,
and the more I see, the deeper the universe grows.

I have a long way to go, and I'm starting now --
out in the silent black Wisconsin countryside.

"Stars" by Freya Manfred, from Swimming with a Hundred Year Old Snapping Turtle. © Red Dragonfly Press, 2008. Reprinted with permission

VOCATION is a 50 cent word

Image for The Byzantine.


I've loved words for a very long time. When I was little, my Dad would comment on my use of a big long word by saying, "Well Tara, that is a 50 cent word!" It seemed to me then, and sometimes even now that words have untold hidden value, if we take the time to get to know them better. When I was in first grade, I got the book "Greensleeves" out of the Bookmobile because it was the BIGGEST book they had in the four wheel mobile library. I remember reading the book, but not quite getting the full meaning of the words. I wanted to know the whole story and the meaning of the words of that big book, but at that point in my childhood, the fullness of it escaped me. It's one thing to be able to quote 50 cent words, it's quite another to truly understand what they mean.

Sometimes a word will stand out to me and I will find myself looking it up to find out how it came to be. Recently the word vocation has been speaking to me. Yes, I know it's general meaning (ie. what you do for a living or occupation). But I was struck by the importance of it's original roots.

A vocation, Latin for "calling", is a term for an occupation to which a person is specially drawn or for which they are suited, trained or qualified. Though now often used in secular contexts, the meanings of the term originated in Christianity.


How over time did the term VOCATION, become more about the job than the calling of each unique person? If people were to consider their "calling" more in what they do than doing what they do to make a living, would they choose a different occupation then they currently hold? I think that answer is, Yes!

Some folks have the ability to know their calling from an early age. Like my friend who always knew they would be a school teacher and they are. Or my friend who left sales, went back to school and will soon go into the medical field because they desire to go into medical missions. These folks are very sure of their calling or vocation.

For some road to vocation is not so clear or precise. Sometimes it has more to do with taking care of business than considering the options in the greater picture of vocational purpose. For some, having the opportunity to consider vocational options (especially in the current economy) is a luxury that has not been afforded to them due to practical financial needs.

At this point in my own life, I desire to gain a better picture of calling in regard to my vocation. I've been working since I turned 18 and held many different jobs in the last twenty years. Yes twenty! In some cases, I've felt that my occupation did affirm and confirm me in my calling. I'm thankful for those 'vocations' that have and are afforded to me. I know I have a desire to continue to learn, grow and become all that my calling is ordained to be. My journey to vocation has not been as clear cut as the friends I've mentioned, but it is my journey, not theirs.

So, what do I want to be when I grow up? I want to be the person G-d has called, ordained, me to be; and I want to be obedient in living that vocation out. My vocation's description and application may be abstract at times, and I can often desire a concise vocational box to place myself into. Even in times of questioning, I know that G-d has been faithful to show the way in the past and will continue to show me into the fullness of my life's vocation. My vocation is my calling and I desire to go deeper into the roots of what that means.

G-d, help me to never stop learning and growing in your calling in my life. Give me roots to grow deep and a life to reach beyond the dreams of my own mind and into your way. When I'm uneasy or feeling unsure help me to remember Jeremiah 29:11.

11 For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.

Vocation is more than the work and job that a person holds. Vocation, to me is about lining up G-d's plan with who I am and what I do. This is the vocation, G-d's vocation, is the treasure I truly desire.

Prayer for Vocations
O Lord our God, older than all creation, you have
made us in your image and likeness.
You have given us the gift of the Holy Spirit through
your servants who proclaim the good news of your
Church all that is necessary for our sanctification.
We humbly beg you, do not leave your people deprived
of spiritual gifts, but grant us an abundance of
vocations to your holy priesthood, the diaconate and
consecrated life, and to lives dedicated to your service.
Open the hearts of men and women to hear your words,
"Come, follow me!"
Indeed, do not leave us orphans, but be with us through
your Holy Spirit, who is present everywhere and
fills all things, and who raises up mere mortals
to divine service by the mystery of his grace.
Truly you will never forget your promise to be
with us always, until the end of the world,
but forgive us if we have, in our weakness,
failed to follow you as we should.
For you alone are holy now and ever and forever.
Amen.

What the buzz?

This is.

Make some noise - for good.

The Swell is coming...

If you like independent/folk/poetry/story as much as I do and if you have had the chance to see the film Once, you surely fell in love with the music and plot and that was enfolded in a quirky and unique love story.

It was one of those rare occasions that I literally went out a few days later and bought the soundtrack to the film. The music from this film and the new CD release Strict Joy is the duo called "The Swell Season."

The Swell Season are Glen Hansard (from the Irish band, The Frames) and Marketa Irglova (classically trained Czech pianist and vocalist). Musicians that have appeared on their albums and accompanied them on tour include: Marja Tuhkanen (violin), Bertrand Galen (cello), John Carney (bass guitar), Thomas Bartlett (keyboard), Joseph Doyle (bass guitar), Colm Mac Con Iomaire (violin), Rob Bochnik (guitar), Graham Hopkins (drums), Javier Mas (guitar), Chad Taylor (drums), Steven Bernstein (horns), and Clark Gayton (horns).

This is unique and lovely music indeed. Hope you enjoy it.

Wear, give and shop (RED) for the love of it...

December 1st is World Aids Day. Organizations are encouraging folks to wear the color red in agreement that help and support is needed to overcome this crisis worldwide. The excerpt below is from the blog "(Red) One Color Unites Us" and more information on the sponsors and vendors involved can be seen there. At the least, wear some red..at the most use your holiday shopping budget at some of these vendors to help make a global difference this season.

DECEMBER 1 IS WORLD AIDS DAY - ONE COLOR UNITES US.
Did you know that 33 million people in the world have HIV. 22 million live in Africa. It costs around 40cents a day for the 2 pills that are needed to help keep someone living with HIV alive. Yet, more than 70% of the people in sub-Saharan Africa live on less than $2 a day. Because of supporters of the (red) campaign, to date $140 million has been sent to Africa through (RED) partners and events, which has supported programs that have helped reach 4 million people.

Thank you for fighting AIDS in Africa. Thank you for being (RED).

ONE COLOR UNITES US on December 1st

SWB: It's Alive!

It can be funny what things make you more aware of living. Last Friday evening, I went ice skating with my family and my brother's family who was visiting over the Thanksgiving holiday. It was not our plan to go skating, we had banked on going bowling - but when we arrived it was leagues only, so we had to come up with a plan B.

Plan B's are always interesting.

When we left to meet up with my brother and his family, I admittedly was a little nervous. While we try to keep in touch via Facebook and such, it had been a long while since we'd seen each other in person.
On my husband's suggestion on going ice skating, we both initially thought that the kids would go; but the adults? Nah!
Well, upon everyone's arrival at the ice arena we all got into the spirit of things and EVERYONE decided to go skating.
Was that my voice saying, "Sure, I've never done this before. But I'll give it a try!"?
Surely, that could not have been me, right?

Well, it was my voice that said it.
It was my voice that asked for the skates at the counter and it was my body and hands that laced up the skates and anxiously stepped out on the ice.

There were people everywhere! Alas, I was the ONLY adult gripping the ledge for dear life. (My husband was doing the same, but I could not see that till I was once around the rink) My mouth was all cottony and my head was hot as blazes even though it was a chilly 35 degrees in the rink. What was I thinking!



Each time I made it around the rink, it got a little easier. I started to look up instead of staring petrified at my feet. I started to relax and even chat with my niece and sister-in-law as they skated rings around me. I even let go of the wall for half of the time on my last loop on the ice. After about an hour of skating as best as my novice feet would take me, I was ready for a trip upstairs to the refreshment stand. Soon, I'd like to give this skating thing another try.

The whole group gathered at the snack bar. We shared some time of catching up, laughing and relaxing together. We had a genuinely fun time at the ice arena on Friday evening. With our sodas and Icees in hand, we closed the snack bar and took the dimming lights as our cue to head home.

As we said our goodbyes for the night, I was proud of my family for taking on something new. I was proud of myself for making the call to my brother and having the opportunity to re-connect. The things that make us feel alive are not always the comfortable things we're used to. Sometimes, you have to try something new. Or in this case reaching out again and then trying something new.



Later that evening as I tried to go to sleep, my stomach still was fluttering. At first I though it was from the eventful evening, but in a little while I was to find out that a stomach bug was the cause of these butterflies.

The skating, the family time, and yes, even the stomach bug did prove to me that I'm alive. Being alive, is a challenging, exciting, sometime uncomfortable, but wonderful thing to be.

Who would have thought that going with plan B would be so life giving? That plan B stuff, that is something to seriously think about.

SWB: Waiting for what's coming round the bend

This piece written by Mark Twain, was the focus of today's vignette for The Writer's Almanac for November 30th, 2009. I love the artful blend of this excerpt that follows because it captures the sleepy restfulness of the small town, and the jarring excitement of what new thing is soon coming down the river.

On this second day of Advent, it is a time of expectation and waiting. If we allow it, Advent can also be a time of rest in preparation for the joy and light of Christmas to arrive. So on this Monday of expectation and waiting, what moments of the last week made you feel most alive? What ones made you feel most drained of life? Do you sense something new and exciting stirring in your heart? Is there something that needs to be released to the churning river waters so that the next step in the journey can be freely made?

As you read this short piece by Mark Twain, let the mighty Mississippi roll around in your heart. We never know for sure what a wade in the water can stir up, but there is sure to be some bread that comes to the surface.

After all these years I can picture that old time to myself now, just as it was then: the
white town drowsing in the sunshine of a summer's morning; the streets empty, or pretty
nearly so; one or two clerks in front of the Water Street stores, with their splint-bottomed
chairs tilted back against the wall, chins on breasts, hats slouched over their faces, asleep —
with shingle-shavings enough around to show what broke them down; a sow and litter
of pigs loafing along the sidewalk, doing a good business in water-melon rinds and seeds;
two or three lonely little freight piles scattered about the "levee;" a pile of "skids" on the
slope of the stone-paved wharf, and the fragrant town drunkard asleep in the shadow of
them; two or three wood flats at the head of the wharf, but nobody to listen to the
peaceful lapping of the wavelets against them; the great Mississippi, the majestic, the
magnificent Mississippi, rolling its mile-wide tide along, shining in the sun; the dense
forest away on the other side; the "point" above town, and the "point" below,
bounding the river-glimpse and turning it into a sort of sea, and withal a very still and
brilliant and lonely one. Presently a film of dark smoke appears above one of those
remote "points;" instantly a negro drayman, famous for his quick eye and prodigious
voice, lifts up the cry, "S-t-e-a-m-boat a-comin'!" and the scene changes! The town
drunkard stirs, the clerks wake up, a furious clatter of drays follows, every house and
store pours out a human contribution, and all in a twinkling the dead town is alive and
moving.

Excerpt from Life on the Mississippi by Mark Twain, © 1883 by Samuel Clemens.

Wade in the water.
Wade in the water, children.
Wade in the water.
God's gonna trouble the water.

Well, who are these children all dressed in red?
God's a-gonna trouble the water
Must be the children that Moses led
God's a-gonna trouble the water.

Who's that young girl dressed in white
Wade in the Water
Must be the Children of Israelites
God's gonna trouble the Water.

Jordan's water is chilly and cold.
God's gonna trouble the water.
It chills the body, but not the soul.
God's gonna trouble the water.

If you get there before I do.
God's gonna trouble the water.
Tell all of my friends I'm coming too.
God's gonna trouble the water.