I am currently in Oakland, California, right across the bay from San Francisco, living with a community called Canticle Farm. I've been peacefully starting my days early with some readings and a walk to morning mass in the ever steady perfect weather:
In the mornings herethere is a florescent haze,
a quieted calm, leaving me
mysteriously wonder-struck. Everything
is new, resurrected. Promise
pervades, the predawn birdsong
is worship, the first sound of thanks.
The sweeping cool, soon to be gone,
breathes its final breaths, giving
its last to the young warmth of sun.
I too breathe thanks, walking
into the peace of this new day.
I'm getting to meditate often too with the folks from the community.
What if I sat in silence
most of the day, would it
be good; what if I did nothing
but prayed, would I accomplish
a thing; what if I noticed
what was all around me
but never thought
about anything else, would I be
a parasite; what if I worked
without stopping, never
taking a nap or a lunch break,
would I finally be happy?
I've been able to explore other parts of the Bay Are which has been nice. The other day I visited the San Jose Catholic Worker and wandered a bit around town.
Of course it is okay
for the delusional and drunk
to yell in the park,
it is their home.
The Bay Area is super diverse and I'm learning much from all sorts of people. Much of my time is spent in the community's garden, tending to its needs. In addition, I've been cooking for myself from mostly the local produce and doing some food preservation, like canning.
No one is happier
than he who has found
his vocation. Even
in suffering, pain
is but a means to
purpose, growth. Life
is bearable, colorful,
a joy and sorrow all
at once. Meaning keeps
him moving, smiling,
not with a smile of
deceit or lies, hiding
suffering deep inside,
but comes from a place
of sincerity, hope,
for it all happens
for a reason unknown.
One step then another,
life always continues
like this, but the one
who has found
their vocation has found
why.
I'll be staying here until November 16th then I'll be heading to a hermitage on the central coast of California for three weeks. Following that, I'll finally arrive in Los Angeles.
In other news, I have a plane ticket home for December 21st. Turns out I'll only be staying in L.A. for a short time. I've decided Lancaster seems like the right place to be and will return in hopes of pursuing Catholic Worker type work and life there. Peace!
