"The desert has many teachings" by Mechthild of Magdeburg

[aquamarcia.livejournal.com]

The desert has many teachings

In the desert,
Turn toward emptiness,
Fleeing the self.

Stand alone,
Ask no one's help,
And your being will quiet,
Free from the bondage of things.

Those who cling to the world,
Endeavor to free them;
Those who are free, praise.

Care for the sick,
But live alone,
Happy to drink from the waters of sorrow,
To kindle Love's fire
With the twigs of a simple life.

Thus you will live in the desert.

by Mechthild of Magdeburg, trans. Jane Hirshfield

"Mimesis" by Fady Joudah

[aquamarcia.livejournal.com]

Mimesis

My daughter
                  wouldn’t hurt a spider
That had nested
Between her bicycle handles
For two weeks
She waited
Until it left of its own accord

If you tear down the web I said
It will simply know
This isn’t a place to call home
And you’d get to go biking

She said that’s how others
Become refugees isn’t it?

by Fady Joudah