Poetry Friday round-up is with Carol at Carol’s Corner.
Deer in woods near New Castle Lake.
I’m feeling a little guilty sitting on the porch on the lake in Mississippi surrounded by my loving family and a blanket of warmth (highs already reaching upper 90’s). There is so much happening in the world that feels out of control, out of my reach of consciousness. And yet I look at nature and see the connections.
On my drive here to my parents’ house, I listened to podcasts. On the TED radio hour episode titled Becoming Wise, I heard the word mbuntu. In this story, South African Boyd Varty speaks about how animals already know this concept, that I am because we are.
I think we all need more mbuntu in our lives. We need to turn our focus on each other to be fully who we are.
The kayaker doesn’t look up
to see me watching him,
seeing how his body,
his paddle,
the water are one.
Stroke right, stroke left
sends a ripple from the water
to the trees,
where light dances like fine feathers.Branches spread from bald cypress
to shade the grass,
hide the tree frog,
nest the swallow.
A bird calls
Here-a-here-a-here.
Cicadas buzz
like maracas at a Spanish festival.
The sun rises
to the sound of Samba.–Margaret Simon
Reflections on the Teche 
What a beautiful and needed message. In times like these, in all times. The time at the lake suits you.
Such a week back for me, too, Margaret. Thank you for this idea and for your beautiful poem. I just finished The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Frye, who found this message you share also, an “unlikely” discovery amidst his sorrow, just as you found it in a podcast.
Margaret, I love this. I had never heard of mbuntu before, but it definitely is a good word for this week. Parker Palmer posted Wendell Barry’s “Peace of Wild Things.” Your poem reminds me of that. Beautiful.
I like the build to the end with Samba sound. Full of bayou.
Margaret, I’ve read your poem over and over, luxuriating in it, taking comfort in it. Such a moment you’ve captured! I especially love the line “where light dances like fine feathers.” Thank you for sharing this beautiful poem and the word/concept mbuntu.
Delightful, Margaret. Happy Summer to you. I feel the warmth of your words….which is happy summer to me. Thank you.
Lovely. Enjoy your summer! thereisnosuchthingasagodforsakentown.blogspot.com
What a good word to focus on in a week that is full of forces pulling us into anti-mbunti. I love the serenity of your poem. Enjoy your Mississippi holiday!