Anne Lamott writes in Bird by Bird -- What does the title Imperfect Birds mean?
It’s a line from a poem by Rumi. “Each must enter the nest left by the other imperfect birds”,
and it’s really about how these kinds of scraggly raggedy nests that are our lives are the sanctuary for other people to step into, and that if you want to see the divine you really step into the most absolutely ordinary. When you’re absolutely at your most lost and dejected… where do you go? You go to the nests left by other imperfect birds, you find other people who’ve gone through it. You find the few people you can talk to about it.
mmm, I am liking this animal story, which is really a practitioner story, of following the old ones and their memory to the place nourishment that was dislocated for longer than the lifespan of many of the ones that were cut off. And that those not of your exact kind, may hold the maps to where your old ones were nourished.
For sure. Nobody might be thrilled at the prospect of a sonnet but learning that they were formed for a particular function might be a path to a salt pan
I’m also appreciating the salt - tear link here. This animal story could very easily be employed as a metaphor to returning to grief that modernity has fenced you out of
Sure. But don’t forget the sodium/potassium pump in all animal cells that uses ATP to maintain and move electric and osmotic pressure. Elephants are OBVIOUSLY the potassium and zebras are totally the sodium. I mean…what else could it be?
Anne Lamott writes in Bird by Bird -- What does the title Imperfect Birds mean?
It’s a line from a poem by Rumi. “Each must enter the nest left by the other imperfect birds”,
and it’s really about how these kinds of scraggly raggedy nests that are our lives are the sanctuary for other people to step into, and that if you want to see the divine you really step into the most absolutely ordinary. When you’re absolutely at your most lost and dejected… where do you go? You go to the nests left by other imperfect birds, you find other people who’ve gone through it. You find the few people you can talk to about it.
mmm, I am liking this animal story, which is really a practitioner story, of following the old ones and their memory to the place nourishment that was dislocated for longer than the lifespan of many of the ones that were cut off. And that those not of your exact kind, may hold the maps to where your old ones were nourished.
For sure. Nobody might be thrilled at the prospect of a sonnet but learning that they were formed for a particular function might be a path to a salt pan
I’m also appreciating the salt - tear link here. This animal story could very easily be employed as a metaphor to returning to grief that modernity has fenced you out of
Sure. But don’t forget the sodium/potassium pump in all animal cells that uses ATP to maintain and move electric and osmotic pressure. Elephants are OBVIOUSLY the potassium and zebras are totally the sodium. I mean…what else could it be?
Mathew, you’ve lost me here. But a man can only know so much which is why I come to people like yourself for expansion, and for chin scratching.
Hot poetry take…it’s all about the sodium/potassium pump, man.
The sign of one good mind meeting another; chin scratching.
"the old mercies" ... I love that concept. Thank you for reminding me. Your words and thoughts always shift mine.
Makes me want to rewatch Robert Duvall in Tender Mercies. Poetry on screen. If you have not seen it, don't spoil it by reading reviews. Just watch it.
Been a while since I saw Tender Mercies. Worth watching for sure
Thanks Burleigh- always good to see your name! I’m glad it’s landing