17 Comments
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Heidi Fettig Parton's avatar

This is magnificent!

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Devin Kelly's avatar

Thanks, Heidi

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Deb's avatar

Wendell Berry's poem was like an arrow to the heart. It is completely relevant to the ongoing mess that is our world today. I'm happy to have found your sanctuary of poetry and musings.

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Devin Kelly's avatar

Isn’t it something? I love his work. It is so full of awareness.

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Jen D's avatar

I get a lot out of how you string these thoughts together, using the initial poem as a springboard. Thank you for sharing the story about your mother's insight/ your childhood response.

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Devin Kelly's avatar

Thanks so much, Jen

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Leanne Cooper's avatar

These poems and your own words like poetry...incredibly moving. Ak'abal's lines about church and Wendell Berry's poem took my breath away. Thank you, again and again.

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Devin Kelly's avatar

Thanks always, Leanne!

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Celeste's avatar

you got me with Ak'abal's poem. thank you for introducing me to his work. so moving.

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Devin Kelly's avatar

Thanks for reading!

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John Mark's avatar

What a tremendous post! I was made aware recently of something I have glossed over in life which is in the book of Genesis, the god speaks things into existence. The naming of things is very important. When it comes to the naming of the animals, Yahweh gives the job over to Adam. I found this to be very compelling, and the tradition the poet comes from seems to take this up a notch, which I love.

Also, I restore antiques for a living, and often thinking about the life of the tree or trees that made the furniture I work with? What were their forests like? What stories do they hold? Todays writing brought this into full view!

Thank you!

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Devin Kelly's avatar

Love this, John. Thank you always for reading, and for your own work. What a joy — to imagine the life of all you try to restore. Thanks so much.

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Amanda Wald Rachie's avatar

"I am reminded, as I read today’s poem, that what is safe for the powerful is almost certainly dangerous for everyone else. And is, without question, less loving than any other possibility."

One thing leads to another. After reading the poetry that led to other poetry, I read Barry Lynn's article and the read the final poems. Thank you for this wide view with love at the center.

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Devin Kelly's avatar

Appreciate you, Amanda!

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Michael Bazzett's avatar

Deep thanks for this. It's a profound gift, what any translator might hope for... I'm glad the poems found their way to you. (P.S. I think Ak'abal and Wendell Berry would have gotten along very well.)

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Devin Kelly's avatar

Thank you for your work in translating Ak’abal’s poems! They’re a gift. Appreciate you reading, Michael. Thanks always.

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Sandal's avatar

good stuff. Plato wd tell you, however, leave the politics alone. incidentally, some Humberto's books on Amazon are around $250. so purely egalitarian, apparently not, Señor Amigo.

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