Thanks to Mary Jane F.
 Images from Maine #208  Still There Dear Friends, Since Tuesday I have, to be honest, not been well. This is neither the time nor place to expand on this, but I do want to reach out to all of you and offer a hug at this particular moment. I started these Sunday morning notes back in March of 2020 as we were all sliding into COVID, fully intending them to be little healing “hugs from Maine.” That obtains this morning, as much as ever. Titles are very important to me and given recent events I wanted a deeper title for this image…..but I really wanted it to be perfect…..it had to be. Yesterday I printed out The Star-Spangled Banner and read it more carefully than I ever have before. In doing so, the title found me….. And the rocket’s red glare, the bombs bursting in air, Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there In closing, I’ve brought my dear friend, the late, great poet, Philip Booth in to join us. toward light, Peter [Ralston] HEADING OUT Beyond here there’s no map. How you get there is where you’ll arrive; how, dawn by dawn, you can see your way clear: in ponds, sky, just as woods you walk through give to fields. And rivers: beyond all burning, you’ll cross on bridges you’ve long lugged with you. Whatever your route, go lightly, toward light. Once you give away all save necessity, all’s mostly well: what you used to believe you owned is nothing, nothing beside how you’ve come to feel. You’ve no need now to give in or give out: the way you’re going your body seems willing. Slowly as it may otherwise tell you, whatever it comes to you’re bound to know. Philip Booth |