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25 Things

I've been tagged for this meme, by someone I really like, so am compelled to respond. Perhaps a good thing: The Random Beauty of "25 Random Things".

1. If I don't record my dreams, I don't write. I know this is a very strong correlation, though I don't completely understand it. Some images and inspiration come from my dreams, but I think it's more about consciously keeping that door open, that threshold between my waking and dreaming self.
2. I am not recording my dreams.
3. I am not writing.
   
4. For much of my professional career, I worked with victims, families, and offenders of sexual and domestic assault. I still have no idea if this work was of any use.
   
5. I believe that happiness in life depends much on the ability to enjoy small things. Birds at the feeder, a kitten's explorations, a good cup of coffee.
6. I think we can.
7. I believe in ornament.
8. I made my house for myself, but believed it would be filled with other people. The goddess laughs.
9. I think that a few duties and obligations are essential to a full life, even if those duties and obligations are to critters who are not human.
   
10. We aren't there yet.
11. How is it possible to look out -- or into -- this universe, and think there must be something more?
12. But, still ...
13. I feel the need to be of use.
    
14. I wonder if this need is simply human nature? Is it -- is much -- simply the interaction of genetic directives?
15. I think about suffering. The suffering of dailiness, the suffering of tragedy. I think about the fires in Australia, the victims of fire and flood and genocide. I think about the suffering we inflict upon each other, and wonder why.
16. I am astounded that I can believe in certain things so strongly, yet behave contrary to those beliefs -- often without even realizing it.
17. How is it that we can be so unaware of our effect upon this world?
18. If I met myself, would I like me?
19. Why am I always second, or third, and never first?
20. How do I delude myself?
21. Even as a child, I was told that I ask too many questions.
22. The kitten who chose me is a retriever. Throwing her toy for her to bring back to me is one of my several delights.
23. Ah, I hold too close, too hard, too long.
    
24. No wonder there are countless books on letting go.
25. Now I am writing.
    

Blog Action Day: Why Must It Be Beautiful?

MP3 File

What is it for, all this
beauty? The curve
of the spiral

from the laddered
twist of DNA
to the vast wave

of galaxies; the green
luna moth, breath-
taking & ordinary. 

Does the prey see
beauty in its predator?
Do gazelles admire

the leopard? Does
the seal lift
its sleek head

to gaze in wonder
at the bumbling,
lethal polar bear?

Our science tells us 
how. Our science
gives us reason.

But why must it be
beautiful? The aero-
nautic miracle

of the bumble bee;
the passing brilliance
of the butterfly. Surely

predators would be
more deterred by
ugliness. The hideous

and the platypus
have their own glory.
Humans have our

own glory. Do other
creatures adore
the useless,

the only gorgeous,
the green wave
of Northern Lights

dimming the stars?
The indented shadow
of the heron's bath

in a snowdrift? Why
must it be beautiful?
When we pass, with

the bee, with
the butterfly,
with the polar bear,

the leopard,
the gazelle,
who will grieve

this deep and terrible
loss? Who will delight
in what comes next?

I wonder if a poem could be like a butterfly?