In Praise of Poetry and Gifts
In July I received this amazing gift from @yahialababidi —> a copy of his beautiful book “Balancing Acts, New & Selected Poems 1993-2015”. I won it in one of his giveaways and when it arrived in my mailbox my life hadn’t quite found steady ground yet so it went into a box while another few months of nomadic life passed by.
Now I’m finally taking it out and enjoying paging though this lovely little book. Today I opened to this poem:
Every jammed door has its trick
how much pressure to apply
where to push, just so, how deep
at what angle to jiggle, pull out
So, too, with the apparently difficult doors of opportunity
that stubbornly balk at all rattling
yet suddenly yield at the key moment.
I’ve been an earnest fan of Yahia’s since I began reading his posts last spring. Some people have a way of expressing themselves that reach us and he’s one of these people for me. I find his writing beautiful, his point of view chock full of wisdom and insight and I often learn from his life experiences as an Egyptian-American. Plus he clearly has a big heart and an open mind and those qualities always go a long way with me.
I encourage taking a look at his blog if you haven’t already. @yahialababidi is an author-poet who hit the ground running when he joined in November 2017 and has posted consistently ever since.
To learn more about him and his writings, give this interview a listen or even better purchase one of his books
A few recent posts:
https://steemit.com/esteem/@yahialababidi/ecstasy-by-the-ocean-3c9471611c339est
https://steemit.com/esteem/@yahialababidi/notes-on-cynicism-and-liberation-a2473df077c77est
Thank you for the gift @yahialababidi, I will treasure and share it!
aka Ruth Frances Greenberg, I am a ceramic artist who makes mosaics, tile and all things clay from my home studio in rural Connecticut. I’m here on Steemit to offer my support and friendship to creatives, individuals and projects that I value and want to see more of in the world. The decentralized economy and blockchain technology are promising and I am very pleased to be a part of this exciting new revolution.
Your support means the world to me and enables me to pursue my life and creativity with more freedom and opportunity, thank you! You can learn more about me and my work at www.ruthfrancesgreenberg.com
Oh, Ruth, what a pleasant surprise & grand introduction to my work—and how, typically, very kind of you!
I meant every word I wrote in my book dedication about following your example, including the idea of the giveaway :)
I remain inspired by your generosity and art!
Thank you, for this sweet gift of a post and that of your attention and encouragement. I hope to remain worthy of it.
Have a lovely day, my friend, and I look forward to welcoming friends of yours to my blog :) Stay blessed, Yahia
_/|\_My pleasure and thank you!
And what a beautiful lamp, I think my dining room needs one of these!
Isn't it a beauty? I have something small at home that vaguely resembles it, but not nearly as powerful...
may be a good excuse for some travel!
I'd love to visit Morocco, one day. Till then, internet sleuthing produced this: http://www.mycraftwork.com/moroccan-lanterns.html
well a girl can dream, eh??
Must dream :)
A gift from a friend, and found back when time was ready <3 I hope you are well dear @natureofbeing! I'm waiting on huge updates on your (nomadic and other) adventures!
Hello!!! Have missed you, and lol yes updates forthcoming bit by bit.... :-)). xoxo
This is giving us good feeling .
Thanks
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