A Tidings of Magpies: Better Angels

Thursday, August 4, 2011

Better Angels

2 comments:

MaggieAugust 5, 2011 4:44 AM
So beautiful. Thank you for posting this. A good way to end a challenging week.
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the distracted AnnieHAugust 5, 2011 9:01 AM
I heard this on the radio--Prairie Home Companion--on my way driving from a wedding to the reception, and I missed the name of the song, the group, the whole shebang. It's really a haunting song and so glad you like it :>)
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Hey, thanks for your thoughts and your time:>)

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random thoughts...

"Speech is our second possession, after the soul--and perhaps we have no other possession in this world."

Gabriela Mistral

The entries here are my writings and works in progress, or another writer's work which has moved my heart. Meant to be a bit of a journal on the days that pass by so quickly. Readers are very welcome, comments and critiques always appreciated.

PS. Any pictures or comments referring to brain matters ARE NOT referring to your brain or anyone's brain. Absolutely not. Think creative non-fiction. Details about individuals have been changed to protect anyone involved, remotely involved, or who may at any time have looked at or even driven past a hospital. I live to comply with HIPAA Federal Law. Unless you are one of the Three Stooges or have ever been on Shindig, in which case, yeah, that's you. Be proud and out loud.

Desiderata

Go placidly
amid the noise and haste,
and remember what peace
there may be in silence.
As far as possible without surrender
be on good terms
with all persons.
Speak your truth
quietly and clearly; and listen
to others
even to the dull and ignorant;
they too have their story.
Avoid loud and aggressive persons,
they are vexatious to the spirit.
If you compare yourself
with others,
you may become
vain or bitter,
for always there will be
greater and lesser persons
than yourself.
Enjoy your achievements
as well as your plans.
Keep interested in your own career,
however humble;
it is a real possession in the
changing fortunes of time.
Exercise caution
in your business affairs;
for the world is full of trickery.
But let this not blind you
to what virtue there is;
many persons strive for high ideals,
and everywhere
life is full of heroism.
Be yourself.
Especially do not feign affection.
Neither be cynical about love;
for in the face of all aridity
and disenchantment
it is as perennial as the grass.
Take kindly the counsel of the years,
gracefully surrendering
the things of youth.
Nurture strength of spirit
to shield you in sudden misfortune.
But do not not distress yourself
with dark imaginings.
Many fears are born of
fatigue and loneliness.
Beyond a wholesome discipline,
be gentle with yourself.
You are a child of the universe,
no less than the trees and the stars;
you have a right to be here.
And whether or not
it is clear to you,
no doubt
the universe is unfolding
as it should.
Therefore
be at peace with God,
whatever you conceive Him to be.
And whatever your labors and aspirations,
in the noisy confusion of life,
keep peace in your soul.
With all its sham, drudgery
and broken dreams,
it is still a beautiful world.
Be cheerful.
Strive to be happy.

--Max Ehrmann

groups of birds

a bevy of quail
a bouquet of pheasants
a brood of hens
a building of rooks
a cast of hawks
a charm of finches
a colony of penguins
a company of parrots
a congregation of plovers
a cover of coots
a covey of partridges
a deceit of lapwings
a descent of woodpeckers
a dissimulation of birds
a dole of doves
an exaltation of larks
a fall of woodcocks
a flight of swallows
a gaggle of geese
a host of sparrows
a kettle of hawks
a murmuration of starlings
a murder of crows
a muster of storks
a nye of pheasants
an ostentation of peacocks
a paddling of ducks
a parliament of owls
a party of jays
a peep of chickens
a pitying of turtledoves
a raft of ducks
a rafter of turkeys
a seige of herons
a skein of geese
a sord of mallards
a spring of teal
a tidings of magpies
a trip of dotterels
an unkindness of ravens
a watch of nightingales
a wedge of swans
a wisp of snipes