Today’s small treasure is a poem by former U.S. Poet Laureate Robert Pinsky that seemed resonant to me in these pandemic times.
Samurai Song
When I had no roof I made
Audacity my roof. When I had
No supper my eyes dined.
When I had no eyes I listened.
When I had no ears I thought.
When I had no thought I waited.
When I had no father I made
Care my father. When I had
No mother I embraced order.
When I had no friend I made
Quiet my friend. When I had no
Enemy I opposed my body.
When I had no temple I made
My voice my temple. I have
No priest, my tongue is my choir.
When I have no means fortune
Is my means. When I have
Nothing, death will be my fortune.
Need is my tactic, detachment
Is my strategy. When I had
No lover I courted my sleep.
* * *
How did you survive 2020?
There is fortitude and acceptance in this poem and also an immense creativity, it seems to me…
* * *
December 31, 2020 at 8:53 am
Jennifer, this is so inspirational. I immediately thought about my dear mother-in-law, who moved into an assisted living facility last January, and has endured this lonely year with so much dignity, graciousness and resolve.
December 31, 2020 at 9:38 am
I’ve heard you talk about her with such admiration. She inspires. Xoxo