William Stafford is an American Poet that I have really appreciated over the years. He was prolific in his writing, in his sense-making. He was generous in his questions.
Stafford’s poem below helps me to see and feel how it is the “now,” this very moment, that is so ripe and nourishing.
I’ve being saying with people lately, one of the revolutions of today is a revolution of presence. It is doing our best to be attentive to the dance floor of self, other, and circumstance in this moment of now.
Enjoy Stafford’s poem, You Reading This, Be Ready. And, consider it as something to share in your continued work with groups and teams to extend invitation to this revolution of presence.
You Reading This, Be Ready
Starting here, what do you want to remember?
How sunlight creeps along a shining floor?
What scent of old wood hovers,
what softened sound from outside fills the air?
Will you ever bring a better gift for the world
than the breathing respect that you carry
wherever you go right now?
Are you waiting for time to show you some better thoughts?
When you turn around, starting here,
lift this new glimpse that you found;
carry into evening all that you want from this day.
This interval you spent reading or hearing this, keep it for life –
What can anyone give you greater than now,
starting here, right in this room, when you turn around?
