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
