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About Vernonia's voice. (Vernonia, OR) 2007-current | View Entire Issue (April 12, 2011)
14 in other words april12 2011 THE INKWELL By Lynn Berry Attention! Note the Inkwell’s email address has changed for those of you who wish to submit your poetry to be used in an upcoming column. The Inkwell desires some local poetry, so please, I’m looking forward to your submissions. InkwellVernonia@gmail.com Understanding and compassion. I had the opportunity to learn these principals once more when I found inattentive words spilling out of my mouth. I hadn’t paused to reflect on the circumstances of “the other”…whomever “they” may be… We all do it. We are human and imperfect. We make mistakes. It’s easy to judge, point out, or blame “the other” for actions we find intolerant or unusual. My wish for myself and for others is that we at least become conscious enough to recognize and to attempt to cease these impulsive and harmful “opinions,” if that’s what they really are. When we carefully examine our words, they may be instead, just a cloaked excuse to expel our own righteous feelings without the discipline or maturity to stop and attempt to understand why “this person” or “that group” may act in the way they do. In fact, a proper “opinion” occurs only when we have a comprehensive understanding of all of the information, otherwise, what we think to be an “opinion,” is just thoughtless blather. When we view “the person” or “group” more mindfully, we may get a glimpse of where they have come from, which may have helped to influence their ideas, beliefs, and behaviors, and in doing that, we begin to understand ourselves more fully in that we get a glimpse of where we have come from, which may have helped to influence our own ideas, beliefs, and behaviors. We don’t have to agree with “the other” to have an understanding and compassion for “the other.” The paramount element is that when we begin to understand, our personal and worldview expands, releasing innumerable treasures and the realization that we all are one. we’d all turn thief Below, the well-known published author and poet, Margaret Atwood, creates a moment in nature to reflect and draw attention to the harsh realties of our own human nature. The poet’s understanding of the red fox parallels the understanding of ourselves and others. and rascal, or so says the fox, with her coat of an elegant scoundrel, her white knife of a smile, who knows just where she’s going: Red Fox The red fox crosses the ice intent on none of my business. It’s winter and slim pickings. I stand in the bushy cemetery, pretending to watch birds, but really watching the fox who could care less. She pauses on the sheer glare of the pond. She knows I’m there, sniffs me in the wind at her shoulder. If I had a gun or a dog or a raw heart, she’d smell it. She didn’t get this smart for nothing. She’s a lean vixen: I can see the ribs, the sly trickster’s eyes, filled with longing and desperation, the skinny feet, adept at lies. Why encourage the notion of virtuous poverty? It’s only an excuse for zero charity. Hunger corrupts, and absolute hunger corrupts absolutely, or almost. Of course there are the mothers, squeezing their breasts dry, pawning their bodies, shedding teeth for their children, or that’s our fond belief. But remember --- Hansel and Gretel were dumped in the forest because their parents were starving, Save qui peut. To survive to steal something that doesn’t belong to her --- some chicken, or one more chance, or other life. -------Margaret Atwood Lowell aptly exemplifies the significant shifts each one of us experiences when we are capable of honest and selfless reflection, especially when the insight proves our character to be disappointing at best. When we invite the artist within us to emerge, we grow and enlarge our minds, and our hearts open; we begin to understand people and situations in ways we were once unable; we begin to respect what we don’t understand; we become compassionate rather than judgmental, and we relish in the beauty and in the ache that life brings to each of us. ---Writer’s Idea: Create a piece of artwork that expresses Plato’s idea, “The life which is unexamined is not worth living.” ---Writer’s Tip: Take a walk this week, turn off the incessant chatter in your mind, and instead, take notice of the countless details and miracles of early spring. A simple mindful walk will help to open any creative blocks you may be having and create stimuli for your creative self to emerge. ---Please send your original submissions to, (or if you would like a copy of any of the published poems in their entirety), InkwellVernonia@gmail.com or by mail: PO Box 333 Vernonia, OR 97064. Please include your name and contact information. Write— Express—Expand. Lynn Berry holds an M.A. in English, specializing in feminist literature and literary criticism. She has spent several years teaching Literature, Composition, Poetry, Creative Writing, and Critical Thinking at various school districts and colleges, and occasionally provides writing workshops. 2011 Vernonia Lake Trout Stocking by Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife April 11 3,000 Rainbow May 2 2,500 Rainbow Stocking dates subject to change without notice VERNONIA E C I V SER PAIR E R & Terry’s Gym TRAIN LIKE A CHAMPION! LUBE, OIL & FILTER WHILE YOU WAIT UP TO 5 QT. 58605 NEHALEM HWY. S. 503/706/9409 St. Mary’s “Spring Clean” Rummage Sale Friday, April 29 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM Saturday, April 30 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM St. Mary’s Church 960 Missouri Ave. Vernonia STARTING AT $29.95 DON’T FORGET! MARK YOUR CALENDAR INBA World Champion Collin Moeller works out at Terry’s Gym - You can too! 503-901-1705 16720 Noakes Rd. Vernonia Questions? Call Maria at (503) 429-1069 or St. Mary’s at (503) 429-8841
