This poem reads like an instruction for life. It also makes a terrific prompt, doesn't it? What's another craft or skill that, mindfully executed, becomes a master class in living?
On another note, how is it already mid-December?
Putting in a Window
by John Brantingham
Carpentry has a rhythm that should never
be violated. You need to move slowly,
methodically, never trying to finish early,
never even hoping that you'd be done sooner.
It's best if you work without thought of the
end. If hurried, you end up with crooked
door joints and drafty rooms. Do not work
after you are annoyed just so the job
will be done more quickly. Stop when you
begin to curse at the wood. Putting in
....
(Read the rest here.)
~~~~~~~~~~
Wise and wonderful Linda Mitchell has the round-up this week at A Word Edgewise.
Photo courtesy of StockSnap at Pixabay.
20 comments:
Wow. That's a poem to read again and again. So many times I see kids who "need to be rushed" to finish. "Not keeping up" is something that they internalize as bad...but this poem is the antithesis of that. I needed this today. Thank you.
Thank you for connecting me with this wonderful poem. I need a tattoo of "Do not work/after you are annoyed" Such good advice and this is a poem I am printing out to reread and savor this week. It has a lot to teach me, both as a poet and as a person! Thank you!
Linda, yes, it's a keeper and a soothing balm. ❤️
Monica, that line is worth a tattoo. :D
Rules for life indeed! “Stop when you begin to curse at the wood .” 🙃
At this holiday time, these words feel as if they could guide everyone, Karen, me as well! I have many plates spinning up in the air, & I don't want any to fall! Thanks for all the poem, love and connect to "Stop when you/begin to curse at the wood."! Advice to hang on the wall!
Karen, what a delightful poem! It can easily be mapped on to so many other activities! Also, lovely to see you here again🤗Wishing you a blessed Advent❤️🕊️
* Patricia, I plan to (try to) heed that particular piece of advice! :)
* Linda, yes, I’ll hang it up too. :D
* elli, thank you! Yes, I’ve missed being here the last couple of weeks. Between Thanksgiving/family in town, and dealing with an ongoing bout of dizziness, I haven’t gotten to everything on my list, including my blog. :) ❤️ (Dizziness is finally beginning to clear up!)
Oo, you have my sympathies! (I have lived with chronic vertigo since the brain tumor arrived, sixteen years ago — still just as disturbing as ever! Some things a body just cannot get used to …). Hoping yours fully clears asap! 💖
Thanks so much for this new poem. I immediately forwarded it to a friend.
Karen, you find the best poems! This one is a keeper, as others have said. And, yes, mid-December? Really?
Love the reminder to slow down and take time to create. Thanks for sharing, Karen.
* elli, thanks so much. I’ve thought of you a lot as I’ve dealt with this dizziness. xo
* Jone, I’m glad you shared it!
* Susan, I’m so happy everyone likes this one as much as I do!
* Rose, it’s a good time of year for such a reminder for all of us, isn’t it? Happy December!
Karen, Thanks so much for sharing this poem. It is my husband in a nutshell! He is a careful craftsman and has built some beautiful things but remains humble. I'll have to share it with him. It is, for sure, a life lesson.
I want to channel this level of intentionality in all I do! Thanks for this poem -- it's a keeper!
Such a glorious opening line. A strong statement regarding the poem's intent. My father was a carpenter and I recall the many hours I spent watching his deliberate and committed actions. I did not inherit his skill set apart from serious intent. Measure twice, cut once. Thank you, Karen, this poem has much to recommended it.
Such a great poem! I jotted down a couple of lines in my notebook for further contemplation. "It's best if you work without thought of the end." and "In the end/you find your own pace, and you lose time." Thanks for introducing me to Brantingham and this poem!
* Carol, I’ve seen your husband’s work on your blog and it is exquisite!
* Mary Lee, yes — goals! :)
* Alan, I agree about the opening line. “Measure twice, cut once” can apply to so many serious intentions in our lives.
* Molly, I’m happy you’re happy! :)
Love this poem -- it's just what I needed during this hectic holiday season. As Mary Lee said, it would be wonderful to live with this degree of intentionality every day. My dad was a carpenter and this poem reminded me of him -- he never hurried, took the time needed for every project, and was always mindful of doing his best. A meticulous craftsman!
Jama, I’m glad this one was just what the carpenter ordered! Happy holidays, friend!
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