30 August

Poem: Hey There, Old Man. Is That You?

by Jon Katz
Is That You?
Is That You?

Hey there, Old Man.

Is that you?

inside of there,

hiding in that shadow?

Walking up the road,

your faithful dog by your side,

is that your stick?

to click and clack?

Is that your big hat

to keep the sun off your face?

A little shuffle in your walk,

a tilt to your stride.

Just another old man,

walking his dog,

up a country road.

Nobody gives a second look.

Who are you, old man?

Are you me?

Who walked for miles each day,

bouncing up and down.

who would live forever,

and put off life until then.

Are you me? I know your soul

burns bright, look how long

your shadow is, how straight.

you are a blessed slave to truth, old man,

that is your work.

your mind a divine instrument still,

reflecting His spark, his grace.

How many men on this earth exist,

to whom I can utter my blessed secret,

I am you, always and forever.

God has sewn himself into my shadow,

he helps me melt pearls up in the sky

he returns like a divine lover,

to shower me with a million gifts,

he leads me on my walks, to nourishment.

And peace.

30 August

Interactive Story: What Story Do You See In This Photo?

by Jon Katz
What Story Do You See?
What Story Do You See?

This is one of my favorite old farmhouses, it has great character and mystery and I can never quite figure it out. This is the third in my interactive story project series in which we tell a story together – I present the photo, you all tell me what story you think it suggests. I have really loved the story ideas so far, they are creative and evocative. Writers have never been able to share this experience with their readers before and I am very happy to be doing it here. Please post your stories on Facebook and thanks for them..

30 August

Three Friends From Ohio

by Jon Katz
Three Friends From Ohio
Three Friends From Ohio

Two years ago, I was walking down Main Street in Cambridge when I ran into three women who laughed when they saw me, and said they had come to Cambridge from Ohio in the hopes of seeing Bedlam Farm and running into me, they were very courteous, very anxious not o disturb me. I like them instantly – Sally, Nancy, and Chris were lovely, great fun and I invited them to come and see Bedlam Farm. They became valued friends, and Sally has visited the farm on her way to and from a family vacation.

This afternoon, I ran into them again at the Round House  Cafe in Cambridge and invited them to the farm this afternoon. They are coming to the Open House on Sunday, staying in nearby Manchester, Vt. They saw the donkeys – Simon completely won them over – look at Maria’s Studio and watched some sheepherding with me and Red. They have become donkey lovers, got to meet Flo.  We appreciate them so much, they are interested in the farm, support our work, and are just the nicest people. They remind me to be open to new people, to new experience. When you let good things enter your life, they sometimes magically appear.

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