GUNILLA NORRIS

Beginning to Begin
(from Inviting Silence by Gunilla Norris
New York: BlueBridge, 2004)

Can we recognize that now and then there comes
an inner sense, a fleeting thought, a little yearning
to live our lives differently?

We don’t know what this means or what it requires.
We shake these notions off like a dog shakes off water
And go about our business.

But the longing continues.

Who has time, we ask? What is it anyway?
Reorganize to do what? Stop?
Do nothing? Be quiet?
What for?

Our practical selves only know how to perfect,
produce and perform.
This, at least, we can see as useful. This has results.
We want to believe in this way of perceiving.
For a little while it seems to give us
some sort of self-image.

But the longing doesn’t let us alone. It won’t go away.
We become even busier perhaps
to “take care of it.”
We numb ourselves with distractions—things to do,
consume, and maintain—
Things to collect, experience, and entertain.
We can always think of more miles to run.

Still the little yearning continues. . . .

Could se sense that this long is not lack
or something worse
--some kind of fundamental fault in us?
Could we receive it as an invitation instead,
a calling, a small voice inviting us home,
back to our truer self?

This shift in thought can move mountains.
It can let us begin to begin. 


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