Shutter Sisters

aliveness

By

In the end

you won’t be known

for the things you did

or what you built,

or what you said.

 

You won’t even be known

for the love given

or the hearts saved,

 

because in the end you won’t be known.

 

You won’t be asked, by a vast creator full of light:

What did you do to be known?

 

You will be asked: Did you know it,

this place, this journey?

 

What there is to know can’t be written.

Something between crispness of air

And glint in her eye

And texture of the orange peel.

 

What you’ll want a thousand years from now is this:

A memory that beats like a heart—

A travel memory, of what it was like to walk here,

alive and warm and textured within.

 

Sweet brightness, aliveness, take-me-now-ness that is life.

 

You are here to pay attention. That is enough.

 

-Tara Sophia Mohr

 

Today, as we continue to savor the moments, we encourage you to pay attention through your lens. Share a thought, a word, an image where you’re focused on this  “sweet brightness, aliveness, take-me-now-ness that is life.”

………..

In the End is one of the poems featured in Your Other Names, the new book of poetry by Tara Sophia Mohr. She is graciously giving away a copy of her exquisite book today. All you have to do is leave a comment between now and midnight tonight EST (12/5).

For more information about Tara, visit her website. And for more information about her book visit the Your Other Names web page. We’d like to thank Tara for sharing In the End with us here, just as she shared a poem with us almost a year ago. It’s always pleasure to have her.

Comments

  6. I love that, "A memory that beats like a heart" , "you are here to pay attention". I love this poem. A very nice choice for this season and for a Monday!

  7. I love that line – "You are here to pay attention." I think that's what my camera helps me do. I'd love to read more of what she has written. I'm sure it's all beautiful.

  8. I zeroed in on that last line, too. It's like a news flash from the cosmos. "You are here to pay attention. That is enough." Yes, because if we pay attention, then everything else we need to do will follow. How can you not love a line like that? Thanks for introducing me to a new poet!

  14. I love the poem. After an emotionally tough 2011, I have been focusing on what is enough and paying attention

  18. thank you for this poem and this post, they are so welcome!
    and the last line, "You are here to pay attention. That is enough.", is one I would like to keep with me. it feels like it opens up my heart.
    I have gone over to Tara's site and read few more poems, they are amazing! and with yours and other wonderful photographers images, wow!!!
    thank you for this chance to win such a wonderful book!

  19. Wow, "Your Other Names". Nothing rings more true to me. I have had many names and have often thought the one given to me was so limited to describe who I am. I've had several in my life, for different groups and different times. Interesting. I will certainly be looking for her book.

  28. That poem is so beautiful and oh so true. I never get tired of the reminder to pay attention and relish right here, right now.

  29. Wonderful poem. This is the reason I focus my lens on capturing the quiet beauty of everyday moments. xo tam

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