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What the Somali Woman Told Me She tells me that my long beard is as useless as the tall grass surrounding my house like weeds. I tell her that I am a man of wisdom, and luck. A white bird sits on my roof. Once a woman carried me on her back. I could see everything. I felt I could fly, like eagle, like owl. Her breasts are large with milk. Her fingers are covered with jewels - rubies, emeralds, and gold. She says: Your beard is empty The wind fills your house. The birds have flown away. Gary Lawless

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When we seek for connection, we restore the world to wholeness. Our seemingly separate lives become meaningful as we discover how truly necessary we are to each other. Margaret Wheatley

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A Flight Crossing the Canyons One day I thought a leaf was a bird, It flew so high. It turned, it whirled above the cliffs. There was a hackberry tree to the West. There was a cottonwood to the East. It flew its way between them, North, towards a ridgeline of boulders. Horizon to horizon, it turned and tilted. It feathered its wings, Always sailing further away Than I could ever think The path of a leaf could go. But then I thought, It flew on its path, The way we all will go. Each leaf, each life, the wings of a bird, Going always further than we will ever know. Drum Hadley

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Ripple If my words did glow with the gold of sunshine And my tunes were played on the harp unstrung, Would you hear my voice come thru the music, Would you hold it near as it were your own? Its a hand-me-down, the thoughts are broken, Perhaps they're better left unsung. I dont know, dont really care Let there be songs to fill the air. Ripple in still water, When there is no pebble tossed, Nor wind to blow. Reach out your hand if your cup be empty, If your cup is full may it be again, Let it be known there is a fountain, That was not made by the hands of men. There is a road, no simple highway, Between the dawn and the dark of night, And if you go no one may follow, That path is for your steps alone. Ripple in still water, When there is no pebble tossed, Nor wind to blow. But if you fall you fall alone, If you should stand then whos to guide you? If I knew the way I would take you home. Robert Hunter

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Rewards and punishments are the lowest form of education. Chuang-Tzu

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We are often imprisoned in the cage of our own abilities and routines, which provides us with a sense of security. Alice Miller