Friday, February 18, 2011

Books!

I've been wanting to tell you about the three books that I bought at the little bookshop at the Cenacle, when I was at that workshop in January.  They are three little gems.

I love haiku and being in a poetry class, it is one of my favorite forms to attempt.  "Haiku - the sacred art" by Margaret D. McGee is a wonderful guide.  She gives hints and step-by-step exercises that make writing easier and more enjoyable. 

"101 Ways to Happiness" by Mitch Finley is a real "make you feel good" book.  Some days you just need that.  Most of the suggestions are very obvious, but ones that we need to be reminded of when we need them.  They are short simple reading and really hit home.  There are 101 of them, like "Learn a Poem by Heart", "Write a Poem", "Practice Meditation", Spend Time in Quiet Solitude", "Lock Yourself in Your Room", "Keep A Journal", "Be Optimistic", and "Take a Walk in a Summer Rain" where he quotes a poem written by Mark Van Doren:

"Rain Beautifies the City"

Rain beautifies the city;
Makes mirrors of it, flattering
Our minds, our eyes; even
The Sparrows, resting, glance at themselves
In windows and think they are cleaner
For once; while cornices drip
And gutters gurgle, and tires
hiss incessantly, saying
Look, it is different now, listen
And look, it is not the same
City at all, it is old, old - an old
Woman with bright eyes, remembering.

Isn't that beautiful?  I can't wait for a Spring rain!

The third book "hope for the flowers" is delightfully written and illustrated by Trina Paulus.  She says "This is the tale of a caterpillar who has trouble becoming what he really is.  It's like myself - like us."  And she tell us this is "A tale - partly about life, partly about revolution and lots about hope for adults and others (including caterpillars who can read). 

2 comments:

Laura said...

special gifts

Doris said...

I think I might be a caterpillar, sounds like a must read.