Oh, what a difference a year makes…
Sweet people, you will recall how I was all gung ho last year when October blew in.
Well heck, yeah! I, a premie, whose prognosis for life was dim was about to embark
on my 60th trip around the sun and I was tearing at the seams. Literally!
And I voiced to Universe my one desire. I said,
I want to contribute a verse...
–a book of poetry that I hope
to bring to fruition in the year of this birthday.
So please lend me your support
as I try to put one together.
And you know how Universe responded: In The Shadow of Rainbows, a book that
didn’t exist last year, is gracing the world now. Oh my. The power of intention!
“…and the blue sky
was awash with
colorless peacocks,“
~ Kenji Miyazawa, Preface to Spring and Ashura
This is my birth MONTH
My birth DAY is the 29th
I’m celebrating the entire glorious month of October
Yesterday I visited the National Diet Library in Tokyo. I wanted to walk in aisles,
fingering the spines of books the greats wrote and other smart greats translated
into English for my convenience.
I’ll make it a full day of basking in the place freely is what I thought. But I was
wrong–what was I thinking!
I was not allowed to browse like that in that amazing place. (The Diet is the
equivalent of the Congress in America) No, I needed to finger in my desire
on a computer and the books I selected would then be retrieved and delivered
to me at specified counters. Oh my!
So I fingered in my request for a couple of haiku books and one of Kenji Miyazawa,
translated by Roger Pulvers.
(I wrote one poem, Song For Kenji, in memory of Kenji Miyazawa as per the commentary
of Roger Pulvers in a very special book: Strong In The Rain).
I was allowed ten books–glutton that I am–but who can read ten thick books in one
sitting? Not me. But I paged through them all and gobbled up words. I was this close
to heaven’s gate.
I shouldn’t have taken out my phone to take photos, but, sssh, I did. And very hurriedly
stole two selfies under the blaring lights overhead (though I chose an isolated corner).
I couldn’t walk out of there with the books; had to return them upon leaving…
One amazing find came to me that serves as the catalyst for last year’s post on
the lightness of being. At the end of Kobayashi Issa’s thin book, there was a short
interview with the English translator of Inch by Inch–45 haiku by Issa, translated
by Nanao Sakaki.
Nanao Sakaki is 75 years old in the interview. These are Sakaki’s words when asked,
“How is it that you feel better as you get older?” Here’s his response:
"When you are young, you are too busy escaping, you are holding yourself too tightly. When you are old, you see more deeply, feel more deeply. So you are lighter. You have time. Everything talks to you, everything is alive."
Lighter! I zoomed in on that word and soon thought of reviving my October post:
Thanks for reading my non-fiction.
I hope you got encouragement out of it
and are ready to float in the lightness of being.
I bless you and 🍂🌾happy October!🌾🍂
- A Reblog— Poetry Book Review: “Poetry Treasures 4” - May 8, 2024
- Share The Wealth: Joy is Our Natural State - May 6, 2024
- NPM Scavenger Hunt – Poems from Around the World - April 30, 2024
A very happy birthday dear Selma. Your lovely wish was granted and now you should be preparing to write your next book! ❤️
😂 you’re right I need someone to tell me what to do now because I really don’t know what to do really.
So thanks.
Also, today is your husband’s birthday. I remember you saying that. Tomorrow is my sister’s birthday.
Great month October is. Xoxo
Thanks for remembering! Yes it his birthday today. Though we celebrated it on the weekend.
All the best my friend 🩷
Congratulations Selma! A year makes a whole lot of difference. I pray for your good health and may your blessings overflow. Have a happy birthday 🎂🎈
Today is not my birthday— it’s the 29th! But I usually celebrate the entire month. So, thanks for the well wishes. 🙇🏻♀️
Happy birth month! 🎉
Congratulations!
Happy Birthday 🎂 my dear friend,Selam! I pray for your good health and happiness! You go ahead and prepare to write new book 📖!
Thanks for that, sweet Raj. I will keep going on. Thanks for the well wishes. I do love the whole month of October 🤗
Most welcome my friend, Selma!
a very happy birthday, Selma.🎉
Best wishes and richest blessings your way 🤍🙏
You are sweet for bestowing me this much, Destiny. The whole month is a gorgeous month. May it be same for you. Xoxo
🙏🤍🌹
Happy birthday!
You are sweet, VJ. Thanks for stopping here today. On my birthday month I wish you Miracles.
You are welcome. Always open to miracles.
Happy birthday! 😊💕
I graciously accept this blessing. Thanks Harmony. And on my birthday month, I wish you miracles.
Happiest birhtday my dear Selma. I wish you all the best in life and in your book publishing.
Send my best regards to your son❤️
So sweet of you, dear Mich. I graciously accept this.
And as my birthday month, I wish you miracles.
Why shouldn’t you celebrate all month long? My younger daughter, when she was growing up, used to start talking about her upcoming birthday on the day after! So happy birthday, October baby! Enjoy yourself, Selma!
Your daughter was on to something. A whole year of celebrating. Yay. Blessings you, dear Cheryl. Every day. 👏🏽
Happy Birthday, and there can never be enough reading.
Never get enough, really. But the clock is a rigid sentinel… blessings. Thanks for the blessing. Xoxo I wish you miracles.
🙂🩷
Happy Birthday!!!!!
Sweet of you. Thanks. I wish you miracles. Xoxo
Thank you and you’re welcome!
What a sweet trip it shall be! ✨ I am delighted to land on this post just after posting a review w/photo for you on Amazon. Reading your book and your blog is an enriching experience, sensational Selma. Wishing you overflowing abundance! 💖
🙇🏽♀️ 🙇🏽♀️ you’re tremendously kind, sweet lady. * touches heart* thanks from the bottom of my heart, Michele Lee 🙇🏽♀️ 🙇🏽♀️ xo, Selma
Anonymous = Selma ❤️
❤️
💜
Happiest of birthdays dear Selma!! 💕🌈💕
This is the month when my wish creates ripples, dear Cindy: I wish you miracles. Happy Friday to you.
what a vivacious, full on post – I can feel the joy. And an especially Happy Birthday for the 29th – my daughter was born that day too 🙂
Laura, so happy to know you enjoyed this post. Thanks so much for saying. Same-same, your daughter and I, then. Thanks for telling me. Happy birthday month to her too 🎂 🎉
Happy Birth-month dear Selma! And what is your dream for this coming year?? LOVE the quote from Nanao Sakaki…makes me feel lighter in agreement 😀
I’m sure I know you. But!
Who are you again? 😉
Happy birthday, Selma, and I’m glad your wish came true! A beautiful outcome! And may many more come true in years to come! Sending birthday hugs! ❤️🎉🎂
You’re sweet, dear friend. Last year for the big 6 O I made a big deal about reaching the milestone year. I really claimed the entire month. Well, with Samhain and Halloween staples of October my one day—the 29th—gets overshadowed. 😉 so I celebrate the month entire! Hehe. Gluttony!
Thanks for the well wishes, Lauren.
And since I get to make a wish this month: I wish you miracles —plenty!!
❤️🎉❤️
Happy birthday month! What an incredible adventure and I’m so happy for you. Lighter. I like that.
Thanks for saying that, dear Bridgette. I feel the love in those simple words. Bless you.