February 15, 2011

WOYWW 60: Gifts From A Poet

Hope Is A Blind Bard
Sister Maura Eichner
This week, I received some distressing news. As a result, I'm departing from my regularly scheduled WOYWW post to share a poem that a former teacher, friend, and mentor wrote. I am sharing it in both written form and on video - I was actually present at this reading! I hope you enjoy the poem, and I hope you'll stop by my Photo Of The Week to see one of my first - and favorite - pictures of Legend.



What My Teachers Taught Me
I Try To Teach My Students
By Sister Maura Eichner

A bird in the hand
is not to be desired.

In writing, nothing
is too much trouble.

Culture is nourished, not
by fact, but by myth.

Continually think of those
who were truly great

who in their lives fought
for life, who wore

at their hearts, the fire's
center. Feel the meanings

the words hide. Make routine
a stimulus. Remember

it can cease. Forge
hosannahs from doubt.

Hammer on doors with the heart.
All occasions invite God's

mercies and all times
are his seasons.

====================

Make routine a stimulus. Remember it can cease.
Have a blessed week, dear friends!

In your travels this week, be sure to visit:

Photo Of The Week - Now This Is Love
Stamping Ground (home of WOYWW!)
Vanilla Pear Bread Recipe
White Wednesday
at

36 comments:

  1. Hels SheridanFebruary 15, 2011 at 10:07 PM

    Beautiful poem, thanks for sharing x

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  2. ChrissieFebruary 15, 2011 at 10:15 PM

    Thanks for sharing!
    Chrissie

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  3. Shaz in Oz.CalligraphyCardsFebruary 15, 2011 at 10:19 PM

    Thanks for sharing the poem it was lovely to read and God's blessing and keeping on you,
    Shaz in oz.x

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  4. AndriaFebruary 15, 2011 at 10:24 PM

    interesting poem, thanks for sharing.
    Andria - 22

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  5. NickyFebruary 15, 2011 at 10:24 PM

    Lovely poem - hope you are ok sending you thoughts and prayers ~ Nicky 6

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  6. judeFebruary 15, 2011 at 10:28 PM

    Lovely poem hun ,Have fab wednesday
    hugs judex:0) 22

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  7. Bleubeard and ElizabethFebruary 15, 2011 at 10:29 PM

    A lovely poem Ramona.

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  8. Scrapcat 1February 15, 2011 at 10:30 PM

    a beautiful poem

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  9. HarmonySweetpeaFebruary 15, 2011 at 10:46 PM

    Sorry to hear of your bad news. Beautiful poem.

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  10. Jennie -The Artistic StamperFebruary 15, 2011 at 11:29 PM

    Hope the next week is better for you
    Happy Woywwing!
    Jennie #4

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  11. HelenFebruary 15, 2011 at 11:29 PM

    Beautiful poem. Hope your week improves.

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  12. okienurseFebruary 16, 2011 at 12:38 AM

    Very nice! Thanks for sharing.
    Vickie #30

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  13. AnnieFebruary 16, 2011 at 12:53 AM

    A beautiful poem. Really sorry to hear you've had bad news this week.
    Hugs,
    A x

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  14. nerllybirdFebruary 16, 2011 at 1:01 AM

    Mmmm, the recipe looks yummy! I particularly like the bit about routine in the poem, as well. Hope you can come to terms with your bad news, best wishes, Helen

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  15. Julia DunnitFebruary 16, 2011 at 1:32 AM

    'Make routine a stimulus' that was the line that really struck me immediately. Am so sorry that you've had to bear distressing news.

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  16. sandra deFebruary 16, 2011 at 1:38 AM

    It's lovely to be able to fondly remember someone who was inspiring.
    Sandra #69

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  17. JenileeFebruary 16, 2011 at 5:25 AM

    I love the end of that poem. Thanks for sharing it! visiting from ifellowship :)

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  18. UnknownFebruary 16, 2011 at 5:29 AM

    following from welcome wednesday blog hop!
    hope you can follow me back.

    caroline
    http://turknoy.blogspot.com

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  19. Berry February 16, 2011 at 5:35 AM

    Sorry to hear you had distressing news, thanks for sharing your poem hugs Rebekah xx (111)

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  20. Debra Chapoton, authorFebruary 16, 2011 at 5:40 AM

    I like the poem. The cat heads on the bodies picture is sort of freaky, but compelling. Please Visit me

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  21. ElizabethFebruary 16, 2011 at 6:07 AM

    Good Afternoon, thanks for sharing this and so sorry you have had distressing news - I'm sure you take comfort from the words of the poem. I, too, have a favourite poem that I go back to whenever I need it, so know how soothing these words can be. Elizabeth x #61

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  22. RetaFebruary 16, 2011 at 6:58 AM

    I also had the privelege of knowing this gentle nun in life and death. Listening to her recite her poems or reading "Hope is a Blind Bard" was a blessing in itself.

    The picture of Sister Maura at the College of Notre Dame of Maryland reciting "What her students taught her" brings back memories of your college days. Thanks for the stroll down memory lane.

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  23. AnonymousFebruary 16, 2011 at 8:20 AM

    Sounds like you need some hugs Ramona! Hope all is well.

    Hugs
    Brenda 100

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  24. MinxyFebruary 16, 2011 at 8:54 AM

    Hay Joy, No disrespect but the poems not for me,I am not a religious person, but i wanted to say a little hello so you knew i had visited :D

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  25. UnknownFebruary 16, 2011 at 9:11 AM

    As a poet, I can appreciate these words, thanks for sharing.

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  26. UnknownFebruary 16, 2011 at 9:29 AM

    As a poet, I can appreciate this poem. Thanks for sharing.

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  27. Andrea - Wales, UKFebruary 16, 2011 at 10:42 AM

    What a beautiful poem.

    Andrea.xx

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  28. CiaraFebruary 16, 2011 at 11:11 AM

    Sorry to hear you've had sad news, the poem is beautiful xx

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  29. SpyderFebruary 16, 2011 at 5:20 PM

    fabulous as always! Very lovely,Happy WOYWW! #66
    (Lyn)

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  30. Ohhh SnapFebruary 16, 2011 at 5:48 PM

    Thank you for sharing the poem. Sending you prayers for your distressing news, whatever it may be. #120

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  31. Maggie's CraftsFebruary 17, 2011 at 12:47 AM

    Great poem!

    Thank you for sharing.

    Maggie
    x

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  32. UnknownFebruary 17, 2011 at 2:56 AM

    following from Thursday blog hop. hope you can follow us back!

    cheers!
    Caroline
    http://turknoy.blogspot.com/

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  33. SonjaFebruary 17, 2011 at 8:46 AM

    Following you from a blog hop! Will you follow back? I'm at http://www.toeuropewithkids.com/
    Thanks!

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  34. UnknownFebruary 17, 2011 at 9:04 AM

    Following from Thirsty Thursday Blog Hop. You can follow back at www.pickfamilynonsense.blogspot.com :)

    ReplyDelete
  35. Concerned American CitizenFebruary 18, 2011 at 11:34 AM

    Nice blog! Following you from the blog hop. Visit me at http://thecomfortzonediversity.blogspot.com

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  36. Helen PigottMarch 2, 2011 at 7:59 PM

    Sorry to hear you have bad news, sharing some love your way xxx

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