"The Universe Owes You Nothing

You have everything you need inside of you."

Is what Kellie Finn said to start our yoga class today.
Then she read this poem at the start and at the end of class.
















(Lily jumping off the high dock last week)


SO MANY GIFTS

There are so many gifts
Still unopened from your birthday,
There are so many hand-crafted presents
That have been sent to you by God.
The Beloved does not mind repeating,
"Everything I have is also yours."
Please forgive Hafiz and the Friend
If we break into a sweet laughter
When your heart complains of being thirsty
When ages ago
Every cell in your soul
Capsized forever
Into this infinite golden sea.
Indeed,
A lover's pain is like holding one's breath
Too long In the middle of a vital performance,
In the middle of one of Creation's favorite Songs.
Indeed, a lover's pain is this sleeping,
This sleeping,
When God just rolled over and gave you
Such a big good-morning kiss!
There are so many gifts, my dear,
Still unopened from your birthday.
O, there are so many hand-crafted presents
That have been sent to your life
From God.
~ Hafiz ~
(The Gift - versions of Hafiz by Daniel Ladinsky)

When we were holding a difficult pose Kellie would say, "What gift can you open today?"

My mind was filled with images of tiny presents wrapped in shimmering paper
bound up with
red and gold string.


Then, as I drove to work, the Tire Warehouse sign had been updated.






























I love the image of
unfurling tight sails,
looking up to see
billowing snapping white
canvas as it catches
the blowing wind.