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<div dir="ltr" data-setdir="false">Thank you for posting this! I couldn't Zoom on Tuesday due to internet failure here, so I'm grateful to be able to read this beautiful poetry.</div><div dir="ltr" data-setdir="false">Love , Lee</div><div><br></div>
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On Thursday, May 23, 2024, 09:46:11 AM PDT, Lydia Ruby Shepard via Thespiritexpress <thespiritexpress@lists.mcn.org> wrote:
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As I read your poem my eyes disolved in pools of emotion and tears. Riantee, this is so exquisite and meaningful. Thank you, my very dear wise friend. You are so so far shooting to the top of heaven.</div>
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<p>Lydia<br clear="none">
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<div id="ydpbfa8650ayiv6507137811yqt26529" class="ydpbfa8650ayiv6507137811yqt7813956173"><div dir="ltr" id="ydpbfa8650ayiv6507137811divRplyFwdMsg"><font face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size:11pt;" color="#000000"><b>From:</b> Thespiritexpress <thespiritexpress-bounces@lists.mcn.org> on behalf of Riantee Rand via Thespiritexpress <thespiritexpress@lists.mcn.org><br clear="none">
<b>Sent:</b> Wednesday, May 22, 2024 6:38 PM<br clear="none">
<b>To:</b> rnadeau via Thespiritexpress <thespiritexpress@lists.mcn.org><br clear="none">
<b>Cc:</b> Riantee Rand <riantee@mcn.org><br clear="none">
<b>Subject:</b> [Thespiritexpress] Fwd: 2 poems read on Tuesday</font>
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<blockquote type="cite" class="ydpbfa8650ayiv6507137811"><br clear="none" class="ydpbfa8650ayiv6507137811">
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<div style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;font-size:12pt;font-family:New;" class="ydpbfa8650ayiv6507137811">
<span class="ydpbfa8650ayiv6507137811">Calypso Orchid. To my Son<span class="ydpbfa8650ayiv6507137811"></span></span></div>
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<span class="ydpbfa8650ayiv6507137811"><span class="ydpbfa8650ayiv6507137811"> </span></span></p>
<div style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;font-size:12pt;font-family:New;" class="ydpbfa8650ayiv6507137811">
<span class="ydpbfa8650ayiv6507137811">I’ll meet you at the edge of time<span class="ydpbfa8650ayiv6507137811"></span></span></div>
<div style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;font-size:12pt;font-family:New;" class="ydpbfa8650ayiv6507137811">
<span class="ydpbfa8650ayiv6507137811">where your spaciousness and mine come together<span class="ydpbfa8650ayiv6507137811"></span></span></div>
<div style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;font-size:12pt;font-family:New;" class="ydpbfa8650ayiv6507137811">
<span class="ydpbfa8650ayiv6507137811">in the heart of the tiny, wide-eyed orchid, <span class="ydpbfa8650ayiv6507137811"></span></span></div>
<div style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;font-size:12pt;font-family:New;" class="ydpbfa8650ayiv6507137811">
<span class="ydpbfa8650ayiv6507137811">sitting at the foot of the big redwood<span class="ydpbfa8650ayiv6507137811"></span></span></div>
<div style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;font-size:12pt;font-family:New;" class="ydpbfa8650ayiv6507137811">
<span class="ydpbfa8650ayiv6507137811">and looking upon the world with innocence <span class="ydpbfa8650ayiv6507137811"></span></span></div>
<div style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;font-size:12pt;font-family:New;" class="ydpbfa8650ayiv6507137811">
<span class="ydpbfa8650ayiv6507137811">while purring with the contentment of an open heart<span class="ydpbfa8650ayiv6507137811"></span></span></div>
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<span class="ydpbfa8650ayiv6507137811"><span class="ydpbfa8650ayiv6507137811"> </span></span></p>
<div style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;font-size:12pt;font-family:New;" class="ydpbfa8650ayiv6507137811">
<span class="ydpbfa8650ayiv6507137811">As we sit in our silence<span class="ydpbfa8650ayiv6507137811"></span></span></div>
<div style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;font-size:12pt;font-family:New;" class="ydpbfa8650ayiv6507137811">
<span class="ydpbfa8650ayiv6507137811">the small flower lover of the giant<span class="ydpbfa8650ayiv6507137811"></span></span></div>
<div style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;font-size:12pt;font-family:New;" class="ydpbfa8650ayiv6507137811">
<span class="ydpbfa8650ayiv6507137811">receives our beingness <span class="ydpbfa8650ayiv6507137811"></span></span></div>
<div style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;font-size:12pt;font-family:New;" class="ydpbfa8650ayiv6507137811">
<span class="ydpbfa8650ayiv6507137811">and offers us our true Self.<span class="ydpbfa8650ayiv6507137811"></span></span></div>
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<span class="ydpbfa8650ayiv6507137811"><span class="ydpbfa8650ayiv6507137811"> </span></span></p>
<div style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;font-size:12pt;font-family:New;" class="ydpbfa8650ayiv6507137811">
<span class="ydpbfa8650ayiv6507137811">Redwood needles carpet our steps<span class="ydpbfa8650ayiv6507137811"></span></span></div>
<div style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;font-size:12pt;font-family:New;" class="ydpbfa8650ayiv6507137811">
<span class="ydpbfa8650ayiv6507137811">with tenderness<span class="ydpbfa8650ayiv6507137811"></span></span></div>
<div style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;font-size:12pt;font-family:New;" class="ydpbfa8650ayiv6507137811">
<span class="ydpbfa8650ayiv6507137811">as you guide me<span class="ydpbfa8650ayiv6507137811"></span></span></div>
<div style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;font-size:12pt;font-family:New;" class="ydpbfa8650ayiv6507137811">
<span class="ydpbfa8650ayiv6507137811">on the Fairy Slippers' trail<span class="ydpbfa8650ayiv6507137811"></span></span></div>
<div style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;font-size:12pt;font-family:New;" class="ydpbfa8650ayiv6507137811">
<span class="ydpbfa8650ayiv6507137811">that leads to our inspired self,<span class="ydpbfa8650ayiv6507137811"></span></span></div>
<div style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;font-size:12pt;font-family:New;" class="ydpbfa8650ayiv6507137811">
<span class="ydpbfa8650ayiv6507137811">that place of unity,<span class="ydpbfa8650ayiv6507137811"></span></span></div>
<div style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;font-size:12pt;font-family:New;" class="ydpbfa8650ayiv6507137811">
<span class="ydpbfa8650ayiv6507137811">the All in relation to All.<span class="ydpbfa8650ayiv6507137811"></span></span></div>
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<span class="ydpbfa8650ayiv6507137811"><span class="ydpbfa8650ayiv6507137811"> </span></span></p>
<div style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;font-size:12pt;font-family:New;" class="ydpbfa8650ayiv6507137811">
<span class="ydpbfa8650ayiv6507137811">Without relationship <span class="ydpbfa8650ayiv6507137811"></span></span></div>
<div style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;font-size:12pt;font-family:New;" class="ydpbfa8650ayiv6507137811">
<span class="ydpbfa8650ayiv6507137811">nothing exists;<span class="ydpbfa8650ayiv6507137811"></span></span></div>
<div style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;font-size:12pt;font-family:New;" class="ydpbfa8650ayiv6507137811">
<span class="ydpbfa8650ayiv6507137811">in relationship <span class="ydpbfa8650ayiv6507137811"></span></span></div>
<div style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;font-size:12pt;font-family:New;" class="ydpbfa8650ayiv6507137811">
<span class="ydpbfa8650ayiv6507137811">there is everything.<span class="ydpbfa8650ayiv6507137811"></span></span></div>
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<span class="ydpbfa8650ayiv6507137811"><span class="ydpbfa8650ayiv6507137811"> </span></span></p>
<div style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;font-size:12pt;font-family:New;" class="ydpbfa8650ayiv6507137811">
<span class="ydpbfa8650ayiv6507137811">And the tiny orchid with the many names<span class="ydpbfa8650ayiv6507137811"></span></span></div>
<div style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;font-size:12pt;font-family:New;" class="ydpbfa8650ayiv6507137811">
<span class="ydpbfa8650ayiv6507137811">sprinkles the forest floor<span class="ydpbfa8650ayiv6507137811"></span></span></div>
<div style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;font-size:12pt;font-family:New;" class="ydpbfa8650ayiv6507137811">
<span class="ydpbfa8650ayiv6507137811">with the love notes of spring. . .</span></div>
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<span class="ydpbfa8650ayiv6507137811"><br clear="none" class="ydpbfa8650ayiv6507137811">
</span></div>
<div style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;font-size:12pt;font-family:New;" class="ydpbfa8650ayiv6507137811">
<span class="ydpbfa8650ayiv6507137811"> *****<br clear="none" class="ydpbfa8650ayiv6507137811">
<span class="ydpbfa8650ayiv6507137811"></span></span></div>
<p style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;font-size:12pt;font-family:New;" class="ydpbfa8650ayiv6507137811x_MsoNormal">
<span class="ydpbfa8650ayiv6507137811"> </span></p>
<div style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;font-size:12pt;font-family:New;" class="ydpbfa8650ayiv6507137811">
<span class="ydpbfa8650ayiv6507137811"><span class="ydpbfa8650ayiv6507137811"> </span></span>The Infinite Tenderness of Ordinary Things<span class="ydpbfa8650ayiv6507137811"></span></div>
<p style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt 1.5in;font-size:12pt;font-family:New;" class="ydpbfa8650ayiv6507137811x_MsoNormal">
<span class="ydpbfa8650ayiv6507137811"> </span></p>
<div style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;font-size:12pt;font-family:New;" class="ydpbfa8650ayiv6507137811">
How tenderly has the chair planted its four legs<span class="ydpbfa8650ayiv6507137811"></span></div>
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onto the maple floor<span class="ydpbfa8650ayiv6507137811"></span></div>
<div style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;font-size:12pt;font-family:New;" class="ydpbfa8650ayiv6507137811">
that extends across the room<span class="ydpbfa8650ayiv6507137811"></span></div>
<div style="text-indent:0.5in;margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;font-size:12pt;font-family:New;" class="ydpbfa8650ayiv6507137811">
to the infinite patience of windows<span class="ydpbfa8650ayiv6507137811"></span></div>
<div style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;font-size:12pt;font-family:New;" class="ydpbfa8650ayiv6507137811">
encountering along the way <span class="ydpbfa8650ayiv6507137811"></span></div>
<div style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;font-size:12pt;font-family:New;" class="ydpbfa8650ayiv6507137811">
<span class="ydpbfa8650ayiv6507137811"> </span>the willingness of table and sofa to be of service<span class="ydpbfa8650ayiv6507137811"></span></div>
<div style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;font-size:12pt;font-family:New;" class="ydpbfa8650ayiv6507137811">
and reaching the walls and ceiling<span class="ydpbfa8650ayiv6507137811"></span></div>
<div style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;font-size:12pt;font-family:New;" class="ydpbfa8650ayiv6507137811">
<span class="ydpbfa8650ayiv6507137811"> </span>where a merging dissolves the room<span class="ydpbfa8650ayiv6507137811"></span></div>
<div style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;font-size:12pt;font-family:New;" class="ydpbfa8650ayiv6507137811">
allowing the sheltering to be complete <span class="ydpbfa8650ayiv6507137811"></span></div>
<div style="text-indent:0.5in;margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;font-size:12pt;font-family:New;" class="ydpbfa8650ayiv6507137811">
thus restoring perfect faith<span class="ydpbfa8650ayiv6507137811"></span></div>
<div style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;font-size:12pt;font-family:New;" class="ydpbfa8650ayiv6507137811">
in the support of all things<span class="ydpbfa8650ayiv6507137811"></span></div>
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as the woman walks in and sits <span class="ydpbfa8650ayiv6507137811"></span></div>
<div style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;font-size:12pt;font-family:New;" class="ydpbfa8650ayiv6507137811">
in the centerless center of her house<span class="ydpbfa8650ayiv6507137811"></span></div>
<div style="text-indent:0.5in;margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;font-size:12pt;font-family:New;" class="ydpbfa8650ayiv6507137811">
within a hall of mirrors<span class="ydpbfa8650ayiv6507137811"></span></div>
<div style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;font-size:12pt;font-family:New;" class="ydpbfa8650ayiv6507137811">
revealing her true nature<span class="ydpbfa8650ayiv6507137811"></span></div>
<div style="text-indent:0.5in;margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;font-size:12pt;font-family:New;" class="ydpbfa8650ayiv6507137811">
as the source of all that is<span class="ydpbfa8650ayiv6507137811"></span></div>
<div style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;font-size:12pt;font-family:New;" class="ydpbfa8650ayiv6507137811">
in the silence that is the word of God.<span class="ydpbfa8650ayiv6507137811"></span></div>
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