Sunday, July 16, 2006

Pacific Standard Time


Today, I'm enjoying the beauties of Washington State for the first time. What a breathtaking view as we landed here in Seattle!

One of my favorite poets, William Stafford, is from these parts (I had the privilege of meeting him in college). Here's one of his better known poems, "Traveling Through the Dark":

Traveling through the dark I found a deer
dead on the edge of the Wilson River road.
It is usually best to roll them into the canyon:
that road is narrow; to swerve might make more dead.

By glow of the tail-light I stumbled back of the car
and stood by the heap, a doe, a recent killing;
she had stiffened already, almost cold.
I dragged her off; she was large in the belly.

My fingers touching her side brought me the reason—
her side was warm; her fawn lay there waiting,
alive, still, never to be born.
Beside that mountain road I hesitated.

The car aimed ahead its lowered parking lights;
under the hood purred the steady engine.
I stood in the glare of the warm exhaust turning red;
around our group I could hear the wilderness listen.

I thought hard for us all—my only swerving—,
then pushed her over the edge into the river.


So, what brings me here? The Ignatian Spirituality Insitute.

5 Comments:

Blogger Garpu said...

You've got great weather for it out here, too. Better than last week, which was unseasonably cold and rainy. St. Joe's is a great place. They're hosting one of the Tent Cities, and they had an ice cream social for them. How cool is that? (I go to Blessed Sacrament.)

11:42 PM  
Blogger Susan Rose Francois, CSJP said...

William Stafford's son, Kim Stafford is also a writer. In fact he was writer in residence at my alma mater, Lewis & Clark College in Portland, Oregon.

Enjoy the wonderful weather! There any many things as beautiful as the Pacific Northwest in the summer.

1:25 AM  
Blogger Matthew said...

Glad to have you here in the beautiful NW! If you're not too busy, we should hang out. Enjoy the ISI.

12:13 PM  
Blogger Jason said...

Ah! Hangin' out with my (future) peeps!

12:24 PM  
Blogger Mark Mossa, SJ said...

Matthew,

Are you nearby?

I could certainly find some time to get together if you can get here.

Let me know.

2:26 PM  

Post a Comment

<< Home

The content of this site is the responsibility of its author and administrator, Mark Mossa, SJ, and does not necessarily represent the Society of Jesus