What a perfect poem to read early in the morning - so loved "fog that swirls like unformed
thoughts above the surface of Long Pond" - gave me pause - lovely to see the beauty in the unformed, the peace of things not in focus yet. Ahhhhh. This one is a keeper to read frequently. Thank you!!!!
I'm captivated by the concept of paying my rent for the gift of this life by paying attention to the small details, 'the many small thresholds', such an enticing invitation. Thank you James.
This espec resonated for me: "We are held by what we choose to notice, by where we place our attention, and even if our fellow humans can so often disappoint us, the more-than-human world reminds us we belong here, too, by its simple unfolding presence alone." Yes, yes, yes.
Machado wrote “caminante, no hay camino” — the path is made by walking. This poem knows that. “This path made by walking — is yours too for a time” doesn’t just borrow the idea, it extends it into something gentler: not just that the path is made, but that it was always available to you, even when you couldn’t see it.
What strikes me in the prose is the framing of attention as rent. You pay your presence to the world by noticing it. Simone Weil would recognize that as the highest form of love — attention given freely, without agenda. The bluebird, the mailbox hawk, the fog on Long Pond: none of them ask anything back.
The particular quality of noticing that comes when you’re writing regularly versus when you’re not — how the world gets sharper or duller depending on whether you’re in practice. This essay named that without once making it about craft.
Do you find the attention comes first and the poem follows, or does the poem teach you what you were actually noticing?
What a perfect poem to read early in the morning - so loved "fog that swirls like unformed
thoughts above the surface of Long Pond" - gave me pause - lovely to see the beauty in the unformed, the peace of things not in focus yet. Ahhhhh. This one is a keeper to read frequently. Thank you!!!!
I love this line, "I trust that we are held by the Earth." Thank you for this lovely reflection.
I'm captivated by the concept of paying my rent for the gift of this life by paying attention to the small details, 'the many small thresholds', such an enticing invitation. Thank you James.
We are beings being held
by sacred seen-not forces,
by fellow Earthlings.
Beautiful, James. Thank you for this poem today.
This espec resonated for me: "We are held by what we choose to notice, by where we place our attention, and even if our fellow humans can so often disappoint us, the more-than-human world reminds us we belong here, too, by its simple unfolding presence alone." Yes, yes, yes.
yes, this portion resonates deeply--thanks for sharing your response !
“We are held by what we choose to notice….The many small thresholds”.
Thank you James for these reminders. Grounding ourselves in present wonders allows, we live fully in the present. In moments that belong to all of us.
Beautiful.
Machado wrote “caminante, no hay camino” — the path is made by walking. This poem knows that. “This path made by walking — is yours too for a time” doesn’t just borrow the idea, it extends it into something gentler: not just that the path is made, but that it was always available to you, even when you couldn’t see it.
What strikes me in the prose is the framing of attention as rent. You pay your presence to the world by noticing it. Simone Weil would recognize that as the highest form of love — attention given freely, without agenda. The bluebird, the mailbox hawk, the fog on Long Pond: none of them ask anything back.
The particular quality of noticing that comes when you’re writing regularly versus when you’re not — how the world gets sharper or duller depending on whether you’re in practice. This essay named that without once making it about craft.
Do you find the attention comes first and the poem follows, or does the poem teach you what you were actually noticing?
Beautiful. I love
"and you pay your rent each day
by giving attention to the many small
thresholds through which you may enter
this life..."
This spoke to me on such a deep level thank you
Thanks for your words, James, I needed to read them today 🙏🏻💛✨
I loved this poem and prompt - thank you! I had a try here: https://amyturner971599.substack.com/p/belonging?utm_source=share&utm_medium=android&r=1eavkj
I love this James, and I feel it deeply. So beautiful. Thank you!
Shades of John O'Donohue!
I’ve recently discovered you and share your sensibilities. I’m enjoying reading your work.