The Names

Yesterday, I lay awake in the palm of the night.  
A soft rain stole in, unhelped by any breeze,  
And when I saw the silver glaze on the windows,  
I started with A, with Ackerman, as it happened,  
Then Baxter and Calabro,  
Davis and Eberling, names falling into place  
As droplets fell through the dark.  
Names printed on the ceiling of the night.  
Names slipping around a watery bend.  
Twenty-six willows on the banks of a stream.  
In the morning, I walked out barefoot  
Among thousands of flowers  
Heavy with dew like the eyes of tears,  
And each had a name --  
Fiori inscribed on a yellow petal
Then Gonzalez and Han, Ishikawa and Jenkins.  
Names written in the air  
And stitched into the cloth of the day.  
A name under a photograph taped to a mailbox.  
Monogram on a torn shirt,  
I see you spelled out on storefront windows  
And on the bright unfurled awnings of this city.  
I say the syllables as I turn a corner --  
Kelly and Lee,  
Medina, Nardella, and O'Connor.  
When I peer into the woods,  
I see a thick tangle where letters are hidden  
As in a puzzle concocted for children.  
Parker and Quigley in the twigs of an ash,  
Rizzo, Schubert, Torres, and Upton,  
Secrets in the boughs of an ancient maple.  
Names written in the pale sky.  
Names rising in the updraft amid buildings.  
Names silent in stone  Or cried out behind a door.  
Names blown over the earth and out to sea.  
In the evening -- weakening light, the last swallows.
 A boy on a lake lifts his oars.  
A woman by a window puts a match to a candle,  
And the names are outlined on the rose clouds -  
Vanacore and Wallace,  
(let X stand, if it can, for the ones unfound)  
Then Young and Ziminsky, the final jolt of Z.  
Names etched on the head of a pin.  
One name spanning a bridge, another undergoing a tunnel.  
A blue name needled into the skin.  
Names of citizens, workers, mothers, and fathers,  
The bright-eyed daughter, the quick son.  
Alphabet of names in a green field.  
Names in the small tracks of birds.  
Names lifted from a hat  
Or balanced on the tip of the tongue.  
Names wheeled into the dim warehouse of memory.  
So many names, there is barely room on the walls of the heart.
~Billy Collins

I don't know if this is true for you, but often in times of tragedy I find myself turning to the arts, staring at paintings or an insightful photograph, most often executed in black and white. For me, they are the most powerful. It appears that the media, at least in the U.S. are trying to mark the events of 9/11 that resulted in the deaths of nearly 3,000 victims from dozens of countries, and more than 6,000 wounded, differently than they have in the past. Personal stories are being shared, youth who have inherited this day of remembrance are being asked to respond to its impact on their lives, some partners who lost a loved one are talking about the need for forgiveness. READ MORE

With warm regards,
Marilyn

CHARTER EDUCATION INSTITUTE COURSES, Events, AND GLOBAL READ

THE GIFT OF FORGIVENESS

With “The Gift of Forgiveness”, we are welcoming back Deborah Briggs, instructor and author of one of the Charter’s most successful courses, Growing Whole, Not Old - Aging in the Pandemic Age (Formerly "Awakening the Sage Within"). In that course she introduced hundreds to the concept of Sage-ing®.

During this workshop, we will delve into ‘forgiveness’: one of the core concepts of the Sage-ing® Movement. We will develop greater compassion for ourselves as we begin to free ourselves from the painful burdens we have carried.  This course provides us with the opportunity to live more fully once we learn that things we saw as negative can be transformed into the foundation for living more fully.

By exploring the concept of forgiveness, we can uncover pearls of wisdom and experience the healing power of reframing experiences. As we begin to repair painful relationships, we can develop a deeper and more universal self-love. This is pivotal to the work of wise aging and to developing compassion.

 Starts October 4th, Cost: $30

COMPASSIONATE INITIATIVES

California Passes Historic Declaration Becoming First “Compassionate” State in the Nation

The State of California has passed Senate Concurrent Resolution (SCR) 18, titled “Compassionate California”. Introduced by Senator Dave Cortese (D-San Jose), the Resolution declares California to be the first Compassionate State in the United States of America. The Resolution unanimously passed both the State Senate (32-0) and Assembly (73-0) and will become effective immediately upon filing with the Secretary of State. Read more.

Congratulations to the public officials who unanimously passed the resolution and to the Charter for Compassion California team who worked so hard in helping.  Visit the Compassionate California website to learn more about California's efforts.

aUSTRALIA NATIONAL DAY OF COMPASSION

Join the Australian National Compassion Council in learning about the remarkable acts of compassion across our continent on this inaugural National Day of Compassion.

This National Day of Compassion will include a live event at 7 am, Sept 21--see time below for U.S. and world clock), including with members from the global Charter - followed by live streaming of video conversations with the ACC ambassadors, and leaders from cities across Australia and from people applying compassion in the arts, healthcare, business, education, environment, peace, inter-spirituality, social justice and in research.

In our polarized world we urgently need to make compassion a clear, luminous, and dynamic force. Born of our deep interdependence, compassion is essential to human relationships and to a fulfilled humanity.

Sept 20, 2021    02:00 PM in Pacific Time (US and Canada)
Check the world clock for your time zone
Register for the live event

YORK REGION COMPASSIONATE COMMUNITY INITIATIVE MEETING

The Compassionate Community Initiative of York Region has been co-founded by a small group of local women committed to weaving compassion into the social fabric of their communities.

This is an invitation to every individual and sector of the community in York Region to come together, as we shift from COVID to Compassion.

This initial meeting is an inquiry and exploration, co-facilitated by the Executive Director of the Charter for Compassion.

September 23rd from 4-5:30pm PT.  Register here.

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