Phillip Simmons writes in the first chapter of his book Learning to Fall that his purpose is not to give advice about seizing the moment or expressing gratitude before it is too late. Simmons says that he is writing “to say that life is not a problem to be solved.” He goes on to say that the depths of life are not a problem, but a mystery. And while much of life is served by fixing problems (and a lot of good is done) we cannot apply that technique to the foundations of living. We must give into the mystery of life, we must fall into it, in order to fully live – and that means the sorrows and the joys, the losses as well as well as the gifts.

Simmons uses personal stories as well as quotes and ideas from philosophers and poets to share details about his moments of gratitude for life, as he falls into his declining health, dwindling physical abilities, and impending death. As I read his stories and reflections, I thought about some of the poems I enjoy that also speak to this fullness of life, in its pain and its joys. Simmons’ point, and the point of many poets, is that these threads of life cannot be separated from one another. And what better place to express the nuances of a life seeking both hope and healing and as well as acceptance of the truth of mistakes, decays, losses, and eventual death?

Upon finishing the book, I spent time with some of my books for poetry. I have compiled several poems here that speak (to me) of the complicated terrain of living with imperfection.

The Poet Speaks of Praising
by Rainer Maria Rilke
Translated John L. Mood

Oh, speak, poet, what do you do?
      —I praise.

But the monstrosities and the murderous days,
How do you endure them, how do you take them?
      —I praise.

But the anonymous, the nameless grays,
How, poet, do you still invoke them?
      —I praise.

What right have you, in all displays,
In very mask to be genuine, poet?
      —I praise.

And that the stillness and the turbulent sprays,
Know you like star and storm?
      —I praise.

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The Path is You
By Thich Nhat Hanh in The Long Road to Joy: A Guide to Walking Meditation

The path is you.
That is why it will never tire of waiting.
Whether it is covered in red dust,
autumn leaves,
or icy snow,
come back to the path.
You will be like the tree of life.
Your leaves, trunk, branches,
and the blossoms of your soul
will be fresh and beautiful,
Once you enter the practice of Earth Touching.

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by Jalal Al-Din Rumi, translated by Coleman Barks

How will you know the difficulties of being human if you’re always flying off to blue perfection?

Where will you plant your grief-seeds? We need ground to scrape and hoe, not the sky of unspecified desire.

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Kaddish
by Marge Piercy

Look around us, search above us, below, behind.
We stand in a great web of being joined together.
Let us praise, let us love the life we are lent
passing through us in the body of Israel
and our own bodies, let’s say amen. 

Time flows through us like water.
The past and the dead speak through us.
We breathe our children’s children, blessing. 

Blessed is the earth from which we grow,
blessed the life we are lent,
blessed the ones who teach us,
blessed the ones we teach,
blessed is the word that cannot say the glorythat shines through us and remains to shine
flowing past distant suns on the way to forever.
Let’s say amen. 

Blessed is the light, blessed is the darkness
but blessed above all else is peace
which bears the fruits of knowledge
on strong branches, let’s say amen. 

Peace that bears joy into the world,
peace that enables love, peace over Israel
everywhere, blessed and holy is peace, let’s say amen.

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Prayer by Henri J.M. Nouwen

Dear God,
I am so afraid to open my clenched fists!
Who will I be when I have nothing left to hold on to?
Who will I be when I stand before you with empty hands?
Please help me to gradually open my hands
and to discover that I am not what I own,
but what you want to give me.
And what you want to give me is love,
unconditional, everlasting love.
Amen.

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I would love to hear about poems and readings that speak to you – that help you walk through the rocky terrain of life and to embrace it. From me to you, have a blessed, imperfect thanksgiving week.