Joel David Lesses
@joeldavidlesses.bsky.social
They arise spontaneously, the principles of all things. Water need not think to offer itself as a home for clear moonlight. ~Sogi
Pinned
Years back, a visit with the poet Maj Ragain, my life spun 180 degree hairpin, deep insight into Life. Maj taught poetics at Kent State, he a student of Zen, heartbreak, poetry, and love. He passed in 2018, but his teaching remains alive. From his 'Fresh Oil, Loose Gravel:'
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From Mac's Backs Books website:
'Maj Ragain taught at Kent State and influenced a generation of students. He died in 2018 but his heartful poetry continues to inspire legions of poets and readers. Mac's will host a reading on Saturday, January 24th at 7 pm.'
macsbacks.com/event/2026-0...
'Maj Ragain taught at Kent State and influenced a generation of students. He died in 2018 but his heartful poetry continues to inspire legions of poets and readers. Mac's will host a reading on Saturday, January 24th at 7 pm.'
macsbacks.com/event/2026-0...
Book Launch for Poems of a Gold Carp
Maj Ragain taught at Kent State and influenced a generation of students. He died in 2018 but his heartful poetry and buddha nature continues to inspire legions of poets and readers.
macsbacks.com
January 15, 2026 at 8:25 PM
From Mac's Backs Books website:
'Maj Ragain taught at Kent State and influenced a generation of students. He died in 2018 but his heartful poetry continues to inspire legions of poets and readers. Mac's will host a reading on Saturday, January 24th at 7 pm.'
macsbacks.com/event/2026-0...
'Maj Ragain taught at Kent State and influenced a generation of students. He died in 2018 but his heartful poetry continues to inspire legions of poets and readers. Mac's will host a reading on Saturday, January 24th at 7 pm.'
macsbacks.com/event/2026-0...
Article in Buffalo Rising
Poems of A Gold Carp: The Collected Works of Major Ragain unfolds between places — Kent, Ohio and Buffalo, New York — where poetry has long functioned not only as art, but as practice, pedagogy, and communal witnessing.
www.buffalorising.com/2026/01/from...
Poems of A Gold Carp: The Collected Works of Major Ragain unfolds between places — Kent, Ohio and Buffalo, New York — where poetry has long functioned not only as art, but as practice, pedagogy, and communal witnessing.
www.buffalorising.com/2026/01/from...
From Kent to Buffalo: Rust Belt Lineages, Sacred Community, and the Inaugural Launch of Poems of A Gold Carp: The Collected Works of Major Ragain - Buffalo Rising
Poems of A Gold Carp: The Collected Works of Major Ragain unfolds between places — Kent, Ohio and Buffalo, New York — where poetry has long functioned not only as art, but as practice, pedagogy, and c...
www.buffalorising.com
January 14, 2026 at 3:33 PM
Article in Buffalo Rising
Poems of A Gold Carp: The Collected Works of Major Ragain unfolds between places — Kent, Ohio and Buffalo, New York — where poetry has long functioned not only as art, but as practice, pedagogy, and communal witnessing.
www.buffalorising.com/2026/01/from...
Poems of A Gold Carp: The Collected Works of Major Ragain unfolds between places — Kent, Ohio and Buffalo, New York — where poetry has long functioned not only as art, but as practice, pedagogy, and communal witnessing.
www.buffalorising.com/2026/01/from...
Poems of A Gold Carp: The Collected Works of Major Ragain now available for purchase using the Manjushri Press Online Bookstore:
www.educationtrainingcenterinc.com/category/all...
About Poems of A Gold Carp: The Collected Works of Major Ragain:
www.educationtrainingcenterinc.com/poemsofagold...
www.educationtrainingcenterinc.com/category/all...
About Poems of A Gold Carp: The Collected Works of Major Ragain:
www.educationtrainingcenterinc.com/poemsofagold...
January 10, 2026 at 1:07 PM
Poems of A Gold Carp: The Collected Works of Major Ragain now available for purchase using the Manjushri Press Online Bookstore:
www.educationtrainingcenterinc.com/category/all...
About Poems of A Gold Carp: The Collected Works of Major Ragain:
www.educationtrainingcenterinc.com/poemsofagold...
www.educationtrainingcenterinc.com/category/all...
About Poems of A Gold Carp: The Collected Works of Major Ragain:
www.educationtrainingcenterinc.com/poemsofagold...
Change in Venue and Time (Same Day) for Inaugural Book Launch 'Poems of A Gold Carp: The Collected Works of Major Ragain'
The Inaugural Book Launch is 7:00pm January 24th,2026 at Macs Backs Books.
This is a change from the information I provided about 5:00pm at B Side.
The Inaugural Book Launch is 7:00pm January 24th,2026 at Macs Backs Books.
This is a change from the information I provided about 5:00pm at B Side.
January 3, 2026 at 10:03 PM
Change in Venue and Time (Same Day) for Inaugural Book Launch 'Poems of A Gold Carp: The Collected Works of Major Ragain'
The Inaugural Book Launch is 7:00pm January 24th,2026 at Macs Backs Books.
This is a change from the information I provided about 5:00pm at B Side.
The Inaugural Book Launch is 7:00pm January 24th,2026 at Macs Backs Books.
This is a change from the information I provided about 5:00pm at B Side.
Inaugural Book Launch of Poems of A Gold Carp will be held at B Side in Cleveland, Ohio's Saturday January 24th, 2026 from 5:00pm to 7:00pm at B Side, a Hybrid event
February 13th the Last Exit Books Open Poetry Reading shares 'Maj Night!' featuring Poems of A Gold Carp@8:00pm
February 13th the Last Exit Books Open Poetry Reading shares 'Maj Night!' featuring Poems of A Gold Carp@8:00pm
December 29, 2025 at 5:47 PM
Inaugural Book Launch of Poems of A Gold Carp will be held at B Side in Cleveland, Ohio's Saturday January 24th, 2026 from 5:00pm to 7:00pm at B Side, a Hybrid event
February 13th the Last Exit Books Open Poetry Reading shares 'Maj Night!' featuring Poems of A Gold Carp@8:00pm
February 13th the Last Exit Books Open Poetry Reading shares 'Maj Night!' featuring Poems of A Gold Carp@8:00pm
mailchi.mp/4f39cbf80892...
Ground and Sky Poetry Series December 2025 1st Newsletter
Bring your bag of poems, or just your breath:
listen, life is here.
'The light of a candle
Is transferred to another candle
Spring twilight.'
~Buson
😌
🙏
Ground and Sky Poetry Series December 2025 1st Newsletter
Bring your bag of poems, or just your breath:
listen, life is here.
'The light of a candle
Is transferred to another candle
Spring twilight.'
~Buson
😌
🙏
Inaugural Book Launch of 'Poems of A Gold Carp: The Collected Works of Major Ragain' January 24th, 2026
mailchi.mp
December 2, 2025 at 1:23 PM
mailchi.mp/4f39cbf80892...
Ground and Sky Poetry Series December 2025 1st Newsletter
Bring your bag of poems, or just your breath:
listen, life is here.
'The light of a candle
Is transferred to another candle
Spring twilight.'
~Buson
😌
🙏
Ground and Sky Poetry Series December 2025 1st Newsletter
Bring your bag of poems, or just your breath:
listen, life is here.
'The light of a candle
Is transferred to another candle
Spring twilight.'
~Buson
😌
🙏
Unraveling Religion, Judaic Edition new episode
Part 2 'Creation' In Torah; The Four Rivers, Formation, Creation, and What Is Made, An Examination and Orientation to Existence: Conversation with Rabbi Gedaliah Gurfein from Jerusalem
unraveling-religion-judaic-edition.castos.com/episodes/par...
Part 2 'Creation' In Torah; The Four Rivers, Formation, Creation, and What Is Made, An Examination and Orientation to Existence: Conversation with Rabbi Gedaliah Gurfein from Jerusalem
unraveling-religion-judaic-edition.castos.com/episodes/par...
Part 2 'Creation' In Torah; The Four Rivers, Formation, Creation, and What Is Made, An Examination and Orientation to Existence: Conversation with Rabbi Gedaliah Gurfein from Jerusalem
The Part 2 of this previously archived talk from 2014 with Rabbi Gedaliah Gurfein from Jerusalem begins with examining Judaism's relationship to other religions.
Also explored:
the Jewish nation as G...
unraveling-religion-judaic-edition.castos.com
November 13, 2025 at 1:40 PM
Unraveling Religion, Judaic Edition new episode
Part 2 'Creation' In Torah; The Four Rivers, Formation, Creation, and What Is Made, An Examination and Orientation to Existence: Conversation with Rabbi Gedaliah Gurfein from Jerusalem
unraveling-religion-judaic-edition.castos.com/episodes/par...
Part 2 'Creation' In Torah; The Four Rivers, Formation, Creation, and What Is Made, An Examination and Orientation to Existence: Conversation with Rabbi Gedaliah Gurfein from Jerusalem
unraveling-religion-judaic-edition.castos.com/episodes/par...
New episode of Unraveling Religion, Judaic Edition
Part 1 'Creation' In Torah; The Four Rivers, Formation, Creation, and What Is Made, An Examination and Orientation to Existence: Conversation with Rabbi Gedaliah Gurfein from Jerusalem
unraveling-religion-judaic-edition.castos.com/episodes/cre...
Part 1 'Creation' In Torah; The Four Rivers, Formation, Creation, and What Is Made, An Examination and Orientation to Existence: Conversation with Rabbi Gedaliah Gurfein from Jerusalem
unraveling-religion-judaic-edition.castos.com/episodes/cre...
Part 1 'Creation' In Torah; The Four Rivers, Formation, Creation, and What Is Made, An Examination and Orientation to Existence: Conversation with Rabbi Gedaliah Gurfein from Jerusalem
This two Part talk was a previously archived conversation from 2014, the second Unraveling Religion, Judaic Edition with Rabbi Gedaliah Gurfein from Jerusalem, and it surveys:
Who is Kabbalah meant f...
unraveling-religion-judaic-edition.castos.com
November 13, 2025 at 1:39 PM
New episode of Unraveling Religion, Judaic Edition
Part 1 'Creation' In Torah; The Four Rivers, Formation, Creation, and What Is Made, An Examination and Orientation to Existence: Conversation with Rabbi Gedaliah Gurfein from Jerusalem
unraveling-religion-judaic-edition.castos.com/episodes/cre...
Part 1 'Creation' In Torah; The Four Rivers, Formation, Creation, and What Is Made, An Examination and Orientation to Existence: Conversation with Rabbi Gedaliah Gurfein from Jerusalem
unraveling-religion-judaic-edition.castos.com/episodes/cre...
Ground and Sky Poetry Series November 2025 2nd Newsletter
All welcome, curiosity is the invitation.
Bring your bag of poems, or just your breath:
listen, life is here.
'The light of a candle
Is transferred to another candle
Spring twilight.'
~Buson
mailchi.mp/c65943caa4b4...
All welcome, curiosity is the invitation.
Bring your bag of poems, or just your breath:
listen, life is here.
'The light of a candle
Is transferred to another candle
Spring twilight.'
~Buson
mailchi.mp/c65943caa4b4...
Welcoming Joe Baiz Elm, New Co-Host Of Ground and Sky Poetry Open Mic
mailchi.mp
November 13, 2025 at 1:36 PM
Ground and Sky Poetry Series November 2025 2nd Newsletter
All welcome, curiosity is the invitation.
Bring your bag of poems, or just your breath:
listen, life is here.
'The light of a candle
Is transferred to another candle
Spring twilight.'
~Buson
mailchi.mp/c65943caa4b4...
All welcome, curiosity is the invitation.
Bring your bag of poems, or just your breath:
listen, life is here.
'The light of a candle
Is transferred to another candle
Spring twilight.'
~Buson
mailchi.mp/c65943caa4b4...
A new episode of Unraveling Religion podcast
Mentorship, Reciprocity, Reality's Backdrop, and Panta Rhei (Everything Changes): An I Thou Video Series Conversation with Richard Wicka and Joel David Lesses
unraveling-religion.castos.com/episodes/men...
Opens with the question, 'What Is?'
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Mentorship, Reciprocity, Reality's Backdrop, and Panta Rhei (Everything Changes): An I Thou Video Series Conversation with Richard Wicka and Joel David Lesses
unraveling-religion.castos.com/episodes/men...
Opens with the question, 'What Is?'
😌
🙏
Mentorship, Reciprocity, Reality's Backdrop, and Panta Rhei (Everything Changes): An I Thou Video Series Conversation with Richard Wicka and Joel David Lesses
The I Thou Video Series' host Richard Wicka has a conversation with Joel opening with the posited question, 'What Is?' or 'What Is, existentially?'
The discussion response from Richard offers Pa...
unraveling-religion.castos.com
November 10, 2025 at 2:42 PM
A new episode of Unraveling Religion podcast
Mentorship, Reciprocity, Reality's Backdrop, and Panta Rhei (Everything Changes): An I Thou Video Series Conversation with Richard Wicka and Joel David Lesses
unraveling-religion.castos.com/episodes/men...
Opens with the question, 'What Is?'
😌
🙏
Mentorship, Reciprocity, Reality's Backdrop, and Panta Rhei (Everything Changes): An I Thou Video Series Conversation with Richard Wicka and Joel David Lesses
unraveling-religion.castos.com/episodes/men...
Opens with the question, 'What Is?'
😌
🙏
Ground and Sky Poetry Series November 2025 1st Newsletter
All welcome, curiosity is the invitation.
Bring your bag of poems, or just your breath:
listen, life is here.
'The light of a candle
Is transferred to another candle
Spring twilight.'
~Buson
mailchi.mp/4e106cab6bc5...
All welcome, curiosity is the invitation.
Bring your bag of poems, or just your breath:
listen, life is here.
'The light of a candle
Is transferred to another candle
Spring twilight.'
~Buson
mailchi.mp/4e106cab6bc5...
Kent State University's Wick Poetry Center's Collaboration On A New Anthology 'The Nature of Our Times'
mailchi.mp
October 30, 2025 at 12:44 PM
Ground and Sky Poetry Series November 2025 1st Newsletter
All welcome, curiosity is the invitation.
Bring your bag of poems, or just your breath:
listen, life is here.
'The light of a candle
Is transferred to another candle
Spring twilight.'
~Buson
mailchi.mp/4e106cab6bc5...
All welcome, curiosity is the invitation.
Bring your bag of poems, or just your breath:
listen, life is here.
'The light of a candle
Is transferred to another candle
Spring twilight.'
~Buson
mailchi.mp/4e106cab6bc5...
Nashville college reunion 2025
October 26, 2025 at 3:59 AM
Nashville college reunion 2025
Nashville college reunion 2025
October 26, 2025 at 3:55 AM
Nashville college reunion 2025
New Episode of Unraveling Religion Podcast
The Many Faces of Poetry, Language of The Heart, Song of Praise: A Conversation with Pádraig Ó Tuama, Poet and Theologian
unraveling-religion.castos.com/episodes/the...
Pádraig Ó Tuama shares a conversation from the heart about poetry and community.
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The Many Faces of Poetry, Language of The Heart, Song of Praise: A Conversation with Pádraig Ó Tuama, Poet and Theologian
unraveling-religion.castos.com/episodes/the...
Pádraig Ó Tuama shares a conversation from the heart about poetry and community.
😌
🙏
The Many Faces of Poetry, Language of The Heart, Song of Praise: A Conversation with Pádraig Ó Tuama, Poet and Theologian
Pádraig Ó Tuama joins Joel and shares a conversation from the heart about poetry, spirituality, community, and communion.
The conversation opens to how Joel and Pádraig met, and w...
unraveling-religion.castos.com
October 22, 2025 at 3:24 PM
New Episode of Unraveling Religion Podcast
The Many Faces of Poetry, Language of The Heart, Song of Praise: A Conversation with Pádraig Ó Tuama, Poet and Theologian
unraveling-religion.castos.com/episodes/the...
Pádraig Ó Tuama shares a conversation from the heart about poetry and community.
😌
🙏
The Many Faces of Poetry, Language of The Heart, Song of Praise: A Conversation with Pádraig Ó Tuama, Poet and Theologian
unraveling-religion.castos.com/episodes/the...
Pádraig Ó Tuama shares a conversation from the heart about poetry and community.
😌
🙏
Writings from 2009, 'A Fleeting Note On Eternity'
October 13, 2025 at 5:43 PM
Writings from 2009, 'A Fleeting Note On Eternity'
Here is the link to the website for Major's Poems of A Gold Carp:
www.educationtrainingcenterinc.com/poemsofagold...
Manjushri Press announces a Publication Date for Poems of A Gold Carp: The Collected Works of Major Ragain, January 1st, 2026
www.educationtrainingcenterinc.com/poemsofagold...
Manjushri Press announces a Publication Date for Poems of A Gold Carp: The Collected Works of Major Ragain, January 1st, 2026
October 12, 2025 at 8:13 PM
Here is the link to the website for Major's Poems of A Gold Carp:
www.educationtrainingcenterinc.com/poemsofagold...
Manjushri Press announces a Publication Date for Poems of A Gold Carp: The Collected Works of Major Ragain, January 1st, 2026
www.educationtrainingcenterinc.com/poemsofagold...
Manjushri Press announces a Publication Date for Poems of A Gold Carp: The Collected Works of Major Ragain, January 1st, 2026
'On the one ton temple bell
a moon-moth, folded into sleep,
sits still.'
~Yosa Buson (與謝蕪村)
[translated by X. J. Kennedy]
😌
🙏
a moon-moth, folded into sleep,
sits still.'
~Yosa Buson (與謝蕪村)
[translated by X. J. Kennedy]
😌
🙏
September 2, 2025 at 12:04 AM
'On the one ton temple bell
a moon-moth, folded into sleep,
sits still.'
~Yosa Buson (與謝蕪村)
[translated by X. J. Kennedy]
😌
🙏
a moon-moth, folded into sleep,
sits still.'
~Yosa Buson (與謝蕪村)
[translated by X. J. Kennedy]
😌
🙏
'Better A Good Question Than A Bad Answer,' An Introduction To Judaism And Kabbalah: A Conversation With Rabbi Gedaliah Gurfein From Jerusalem
unraveling-religion-judaic-edition.castos.com/episodes/bet...
Pulled from the Archives of Unraveling Religion, Judaic Edition, this conversation from 2010.
unraveling-religion-judaic-edition.castos.com/episodes/bet...
Pulled from the Archives of Unraveling Religion, Judaic Edition, this conversation from 2010.
'Better A Good Question Than A Bad Answer,' An Introduction To Judaism And Kabbalah: A Conversation With Rabbi Gedaliah Gurfein From Jerusalem
Pulled from the Archives of Unraveling Religion, Judaic Edition, this January 2010 conversation with Rabbi Gedaliah Gurfein of Jerusalem opens to the importance of Judaism's connection to the lan...
unraveling-religion-judaic-edition.castos.com
August 25, 2025 at 12:38 PM
'Better A Good Question Than A Bad Answer,' An Introduction To Judaism And Kabbalah: A Conversation With Rabbi Gedaliah Gurfein From Jerusalem
unraveling-religion-judaic-edition.castos.com/episodes/bet...
Pulled from the Archives of Unraveling Religion, Judaic Edition, this conversation from 2010.
unraveling-religion-judaic-edition.castos.com/episodes/bet...
Pulled from the Archives of Unraveling Religion, Judaic Edition, this conversation from 2010.
A Pilgrimage, Journey Of The Heart: Examining 'The Why' Of Life With Chris Barbera
unraveling-religion.castos.com/episodes/pil...
Joel and Chris at Network of Religious Communities in Buffalo and examined and reflected on Chris' travels to Seattle and San Fransisco via train, a pilgrimage.
😌
🙏
unraveling-religion.castos.com/episodes/pil...
Joel and Chris at Network of Religious Communities in Buffalo and examined and reflected on Chris' travels to Seattle and San Fransisco via train, a pilgrimage.
😌
🙏
A Pilgrimage, Journey Of The Heart: Examining 'The Why' Of Life With Chris Barbera
In a Post-Pandemic June 2022, Joel and Chris sat together at Network of Religous Communities in Buffalo, New York and examined and reflected on Chris' travels to Seattle and San Fransisco via train, a...
unraveling-religion.castos.com
August 12, 2025 at 9:28 PM
A Pilgrimage, Journey Of The Heart: Examining 'The Why' Of Life With Chris Barbera
unraveling-religion.castos.com/episodes/pil...
Joel and Chris at Network of Religious Communities in Buffalo and examined and reflected on Chris' travels to Seattle and San Fransisco via train, a pilgrimage.
😌
🙏
unraveling-religion.castos.com/episodes/pil...
Joel and Chris at Network of Religious Communities in Buffalo and examined and reflected on Chris' travels to Seattle and San Fransisco via train, a pilgrimage.
😌
🙏
Just penned, the Ground and Sky Poetry Series, August 1st Newsletter for 2025.
August Holds 'The Woven Event' and 'Spirituality In Everyday Life'
mailchi.mp/8eac22b3e02e...
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August Holds 'The Woven Event' and 'Spirituality In Everyday Life'
mailchi.mp/8eac22b3e02e...
😌
🙏
August Holds 'The Woven Event' and 'Spirituality In Everyday Life'
mailchi.mp
July 29, 2025 at 3:39 PM
Just penned, the Ground and Sky Poetry Series, August 1st Newsletter for 2025.
August Holds 'The Woven Event' and 'Spirituality In Everyday Life'
mailchi.mp/8eac22b3e02e...
😌
🙏
August Holds 'The Woven Event' and 'Spirituality In Everyday Life'
mailchi.mp/8eac22b3e02e...
😌
🙏
A new episode of Unraveling Religion podcast has posted
'Prison Theology,' Restorative Justice and Equalizing Voices, An Examination of The Prison Industrial Complex: A Discussion with Chris Barbera
unraveling-religion.castos.com/episodes/pri...
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'Prison Theology,' Restorative Justice and Equalizing Voices, An Examination of The Prison Industrial Complex: A Discussion with Chris Barbera
unraveling-religion.castos.com/episodes/pri...
😌
🙏
'Prison Theology,' Restorative Justice and Equalizing Voices, An Examination of The Prison Industrial Complex: A Discussion with Chris Barbera
Pulled from the Archives of Unraveling Religion this June 2013 conversation with Chris Barbera explores discussion based on the book Prison Theology, published by Jesus the Liberator Seminary of Relig...
unraveling-religion.castos.com
July 18, 2025 at 1:21 AM
A new episode of Unraveling Religion podcast has posted
'Prison Theology,' Restorative Justice and Equalizing Voices, An Examination of The Prison Industrial Complex: A Discussion with Chris Barbera
unraveling-religion.castos.com/episodes/pri...
😌
🙏
'Prison Theology,' Restorative Justice and Equalizing Voices, An Examination of The Prison Industrial Complex: A Discussion with Chris Barbera
unraveling-religion.castos.com/episodes/pri...
😌
🙏
I think of my late Golden Retriever, Isaac, receive the blessings of this day.
Dew on morning grass, cool dawn air, another day here with breath to experience, feel and listen; to watch, Sun turns and the many beings are fed and nourished, the heartbeat of each - gratitude, unaware.
😌
🙏
Dew on morning grass, cool dawn air, another day here with breath to experience, feel and listen; to watch, Sun turns and the many beings are fed and nourished, the heartbeat of each - gratitude, unaware.
😌
🙏
July 16, 2025 at 1:06 PM
I think of my late Golden Retriever, Isaac, receive the blessings of this day.
Dew on morning grass, cool dawn air, another day here with breath to experience, feel and listen; to watch, Sun turns and the many beings are fed and nourished, the heartbeat of each - gratitude, unaware.
😌
🙏
Dew on morning grass, cool dawn air, another day here with breath to experience, feel and listen; to watch, Sun turns and the many beings are fed and nourished, the heartbeat of each - gratitude, unaware.
😌
🙏
Ground and Sky Poetry Series 'Poetry Open Mic: @Bidwell Park' second and fourth Friday, 7:00pm
'curiousity is the invitation!'
Bring your bag of poems, or just your breath:
listen, life is here.
'The light of a candle
Is transferred to another candle
Spring twilight.'
~Buson
'curiousity is the invitation!'
Bring your bag of poems, or just your breath:
listen, life is here.
'The light of a candle
Is transferred to another candle
Spring twilight.'
~Buson
July 3, 2025 at 6:32 PM
Ground and Sky Poetry Series 'Poetry Open Mic: @Bidwell Park' second and fourth Friday, 7:00pm
'curiousity is the invitation!'
Bring your bag of poems, or just your breath:
listen, life is here.
'The light of a candle
Is transferred to another candle
Spring twilight.'
~Buson
'curiousity is the invitation!'
Bring your bag of poems, or just your breath:
listen, life is here.
'The light of a candle
Is transferred to another candle
Spring twilight.'
~Buson