I had the pleasure of teaching many of you; I feel fondness and gratitude for you as we struggled together through some hard times and joyous revelations. I am wishing you so much happiness and love as you move on to your next adventures. Let me share with you a poem I read often, when I know I need to, by Diane di Prima (RIP), written in the late 1960s.
Revolutionary Letter #1
I have just realized that the stakes are myself
I have no other
ransom money, nothing to break or barter but my life
my spirit measured out, in bits, spread over
the roulette table, I recoup what I can
nothing else to shove under the nose of the maitre de jeu
nothing to thrust out the window, no white flag
this flesh all I have to offer, to make the play with
this immediate head, what it comes up with, my move
as we slither over this go board, stepping always
(we hope) between the lines
from Sarah B