Oh, I really really love this one. This especially knocked my socks off: "At age 87, I’ve written millions of words and more than a few very long sentences. But perhaps the most important sentence I’ve ever written is in the third stanza of “Harrowing.” It’s that one word, “Enough.” Said on the right occasion, that word can safeguard the soul, and saying it comes more easily with age."
Being mature and grown enough to say no and forego feeling bad about it. That’s the nugget for me. It’s hard to find piece when the expectations of others have so much weight.
Is anyone having trouble with the recording stopping after a couple of minutes? This has happened to me on other Substack sites, too. I have memberships with those sites. I’d love to know.
Thank you, Thank you Parker! Your Friday posts have kept me centered and in a place of refuge amidst the turmoil, chaos, and out rage surrounding us. Your selection of great poems brings back good memories of Courage and Renewal.
Yes to this Parker!! "Those of us who are able should be raising hell on behalf of whatever we care about. To paraphrase Kris Kristofferson, old is just another word for nothing left to lose."
Thanks Parker for your good words. I find them very encouraging as I age on. I read On the Brink… with my 90 year old mom, who’s still with us. Looking forward to sharing the updates and revisions with her.
As a Canadian I appreciate an American’s perspective on politics south of the border. I rely too much on my white, retired privilege and avoid politics , anywhere, more than I should. I guess there’s no nice way to describe your president, and I wanted to say as nicely as I can that find it jarring to read your opinions of the man. And I know I have no idea of how much harm he’s causing … so blessings for wisdom and courage as you speak.
Thank you for this amazing contribution to aging and death. There are so many ways to approach both and you give me the freedom to design it with the reality and beauty of the flower that withers.
I couldn't read this post on Friday, but it was the only notification I left on the phone throughout the weekend, since I knew I want to get to it. And oh, what a blessing and what a comfort. I am 33, but really we never know when this ultimate withering will come, as it might come earlier than we expect. And I hope and pray to lean into this kind of wisdom even now and even here.
This is for me one of the most encouraging posts of yours that I read.
What do I want to give myself to? What is life giving? Letting go of what’s not and embracing anew what is. These are incredibly helpful frames for me! Thank you so much for writing about aging, about withering and harrowing and the abundance that can be part of the reality of aging too. Your reflections are a treasure, and a much needed guide along the way. Thank you!
Philosophy protects the mind from fashionable certainty. Every age produces ideas that strut like emperors until someone asks them to define their terms.
My 15-year-old grandson was scheduled for a three-week trip to the boundary waters, a place I first heard of from your writing. The trip was canceled because of the wild fires, and I know he was deeply disappointed. His father is thinking about how to make the trip happen next year. I love your thought that heaven is the boundary waters. Even though I have never been there, the name itself is perfect. A liminal space, boundary, paralleling the waters of birth. A young man's challenge. An old man's dream.
Oh, I really really love this one. This especially knocked my socks off: "At age 87, I’ve written millions of words and more than a few very long sentences. But perhaps the most important sentence I’ve ever written is in the third stanza of “Harrowing.” It’s that one word, “Enough.” Said on the right occasion, that word can safeguard the soul, and saying it comes more easily with age."
Being mature and grown enough to say no and forego feeling bad about it. That’s the nugget for me. It’s hard to find piece when the expectations of others have so much weight.
Thank you.
The boundary waters shaped me in my youth. Profound gift of place. What will come of it under the current irreverent greedy hoards?
you know i need your words
Thank you, Parker. Always a source of reflective and enlightening wisdom.
Is anyone having trouble with the recording stopping after a couple of minutes? This has happened to me on other Substack sites, too. I have memberships with those sites. I’d love to know.
Thank you, Thank you Parker! Your Friday posts have kept me centered and in a place of refuge amidst the turmoil, chaos, and out rage surrounding us. Your selection of great poems brings back good memories of Courage and Renewal.
Your Friend and Fan,
John Marston
Yes to this Parker!! "Those of us who are able should be raising hell on behalf of whatever we care about. To paraphrase Kris Kristofferson, old is just another word for nothing left to lose."
Thanks Parker for your good words. I find them very encouraging as I age on. I read On the Brink… with my 90 year old mom, who’s still with us. Looking forward to sharing the updates and revisions with her.
As a Canadian I appreciate an American’s perspective on politics south of the border. I rely too much on my white, retired privilege and avoid politics , anywhere, more than I should. I guess there’s no nice way to describe your president, and I wanted to say as nicely as I can that find it jarring to read your opinions of the man. And I know I have no idea of how much harm he’s causing … so blessings for wisdom and courage as you speak.
Thank you for this amazing contribution to aging and death. There are so many ways to approach both and you give me the freedom to design it with the reality and beauty of the flower that withers.
I couldn't read this post on Friday, but it was the only notification I left on the phone throughout the weekend, since I knew I want to get to it. And oh, what a blessing and what a comfort. I am 33, but really we never know when this ultimate withering will come, as it might come earlier than we expect. And I hope and pray to lean into this kind of wisdom even now and even here.
This is for me one of the most encouraging posts of yours that I read.
All I can say is, thank you ! 🤍
Thank you for the weekly poetry.
What do I want to give myself to? What is life giving? Letting go of what’s not and embracing anew what is. These are incredibly helpful frames for me! Thank you so much for writing about aging, about withering and harrowing and the abundance that can be part of the reality of aging too. Your reflections are a treasure, and a much needed guide along the way. Thank you!
Philosophy protects the mind from fashionable certainty. Every age produces ideas that strut like emperors until someone asks them to define their terms.
This is balm to my 63 year old heart. Beautiful withering. Thank you
My 15-year-old grandson was scheduled for a three-week trip to the boundary waters, a place I first heard of from your writing. The trip was canceled because of the wild fires, and I know he was deeply disappointed. His father is thinking about how to make the trip happen next year. I love your thought that heaven is the boundary waters. Even though I have never been there, the name itself is perfect. A liminal space, boundary, paralleling the waters of birth. A young man's challenge. An old man's dream.