no Monopoly on Empathy

I too have been inspired by a book called "The Age of Empathy" by Frans de Waal . Biology and evolution in clear and accessible prose to expose the roots and embedded nature of empathy? Discounting the "sprung up like mushrooms" notion? That's a good idea to me!

A society based purely on selfish motives and market forces may produce wealth, yet it can’t produce the unity and mutual trust that make life worthwhile. This is why surveys measure the greatest happiness not in the wealthiest nations but rather in those with the highest levels of trust among citizens.

Cross-species Observation

 In Response

Empathy Monopoly

and we sit in parks or chairs
gaze at lovers with warm stares
dry a tear or laugh to share

justify we don't compare
to anything that won't shave hair
do car repairs
or stockings wear?

As if humans monopolized
the ability to care.

photo and poetry by LyndiaP December 16, 2010

Earth to Eaarth

Today's In Response comes from a quote in my calendar from Bill McKibben (who I had to look up online to learn more about and he has a great concept about renaming the planet from Earth to Eaarth because the place we have created/devastated is not the kind of place we'd want to call home.) The actual thought-provoking comment I read today though is:

"What sets wilderness apart in the modern day is not that it's dangerous (it's almost certainly safer than any town or road) or that it's solitary (you can, as they say, be alone in a crowded room) or full of exotic animals (there are more of them at the zoo). It's the fact that five miles out in the woods you can't buy anything."

Tree-flections

In Response

Wild like a Tiger

Wild like a Tiger

in a safety vest

directing a traffic jam of

blind race car drivers

fighting seizures

of road rage.

Rural outcasts

read the urban rule books

written in the language of lies.

Between the lines

exposes ingredients for Home

far from shopping malls

or credit, cash and debit

poetic directions to get there

hidden by too many flashy adverts

selling too much harmless fear

to let us take a breath

let alone a first step.

poetry and photograph by LyndiaP December 9, 2010

Human Doings

Here's the first quote for my In Response project. It comes from the book called "Chasing Rumi" by Roger Housden, 2002.

"People often take what they do to be the measure of who they are. If they are not doing something...they lose touch with the feeling of existence...as if the gap in action signified a gap in themselves."

Blue Wings. Constant Motion.

 In Response

This Programmed Life

This programmed life

dizzying

rushed

overwhelming

Alarms, reminders, lists make me whole.

I know I'm busy. I know I'm fine.

When I know I'm busy, I know I'm fine.

The threat is Nothing.

Schedules can't afford to slip

the threat is near.

Endless power of Nothing

that looks in a mirror

sees itself

reflects me.

my fear is the familiarity

of the stagnant

stationary

face:

Me

with Nothing

is nothing.

I push from this lull

to something

too many somethings

until Nothing can't hold

even as a memory

not me.

More tasks and work

ideas, things, words

to keep myself full

with Nothing

never a possibility

So I am always something

powerless with somethings.

Surface glances at mirrors

hiding Nothing behind them.

My reflection fleeting

my image always doing

something

I can relate to.

Always relate to.

Until the somethings

all reflect

me

No place
for fear

or Nothing or

me.

Doing. Doing

until I am free.

No room for Nothing

No room for Me.

photography and poem by LyndiaP December 7, 2010
(submitted to Jingle Poetry's Poetry Potluck - Week 13)

introducing In Response

In Response is something I'm going to try for December (as I've got other plans for January!) three times a week (given my schedule this month, I know 'daily' will only lead to mental and emotional instability).

The concept is pretty basic: a way for me to share my travels through the world of reading and still be creative...so "in response" to what has inspired me (see? easy!) I'll keep it brief so I can get back to reading said thing that has inspired this latest challenge.

- Keep wondering,
LyndiaP

December Calls

in honour of PoemADay November I wanted to post yet once more in poem-form for the first of December: PoemADay +1 (also for One Shot Wednesday at http://oneshotpoetry.blogspot.com/

A-muse-ing Delivery
attend to the pictures in your mind,
ready the canvas while you wait on the surprise
secret delivery in a round wooden box
carved TO: your name
with just one other word
The Word
to inspire
you.
a steady polishing to expose the grain
looking deeper in a small hollow gourd
of wood.
Looking deeper to see the stars inside
stars that sing in colour
songs that are echoes of a primal rhythm
wait for the chorus in your chest.
wait for the refrain
then no longer refrain!

Make the empty contents of this box
a different source than the vain
brain
explains.
Quickly!
This message expires,
kept only as long as it inspires.
The Word
unspoken
undefined
keeping time -
with the song of the heartful

and space


to tell the story.

LyndiaP December 1, 2010 (PoemADay 31 of 30, an epilogue)