Holds Upon Happiness

Grace Paley was an American short story writer, poet, teacher, and activist. She was born to Ukrainian immigrants in the Bronx. The family spoke Russian and Yiddish at home and Paley grew up between the old and the new cultures. Paley used conversation and dialect to inform her characters. She wrote what she knew and told deceptively simple stories. While mainly known for her short stories, Paley also published a number of volumes of poetry. Here I am in the garden laughingan old woman with heavy breastsand a nicely mapped facehow did this happenwell that's who I wanted to beat last a womanin the old style sittingstout thighs apart undera…

Today’s poem is by Wendell Berry. His poetry “celebrates the holiness of life and everyday miracles often taken for granted.” While Berry first gained literary renown for his poetry, he went on to publish essays and novels. Berry’s strong belief in the necessity of community and living in harmony with the earth permeates his writing. Sometimes hidden from mein daily custom and trust,so that I live by you unawareas by the beating of my heart,suddenly you flare in my sight,a wild rose blooming at the edgeof thicket, grace and lightwhere yesterday was only shade,and once more I am blessed, choosingagain what I chose before.The Wild RoseWendell Berry

Mary Karr is an American poet, essayist, and memoirist. She is particularly known for her best-selling memoir, The Liar’s Club, which was named one of the year’s best books. It explores her difficult childhood in East Texas. Karr has also published five volumes of poetry and has won many awards including the Pushcart Prize and the Whiting Award. Ninety percent of what's wrong with you could be cured with a hot bath,says God from the bowels of the subway.but we want magic, to winthe lottery we never bought a ticket for.(Tenderly, the monks chant, embracethe suffering.) The voice of God does not pander,offers no five-year plan, no long-termsolution, nary an…

Stuart Kestenbaum has written six collections of poetry. He has also written a book of essays on craft and community. He was the poet laureate of Maine from 2016 to 2021. Kestenbaum was the director of the Haystack Mountain School of Crafts in Deer Isle, Maine, for many years. Ted Kooser said of Kestenbaum’s writing that it contains “heartfelt responses to the privilege of having been given a life.” It doesn't announce itself or knockon the door of your heart. Suddenlyit's right behind you,looking with great pityat the back of your neckand your shoulders on whichit spends days placing a burdenand lifting it. Grief arrivesin its own sweet time, sweetbecause…