Gingerlee Charles

“Yes,
even when I don’t believe—
there is a place in me
inaccessible to unbelief,
a patch of wild grace,
a stubborn preserve,
impenetrable,
pain untouched by the sleeping body,
music that builds its nest in silence.

— Anna Kamienska, “Lack of Faith,” Astonishments: Selected Poems of Anna Kamienska. Paraclete Press (MA); First Edition edition July 1, 2007) Originally published 2007.”
― Anna Kamieńska, Astonishments: Selected Poems

“A Path in the Woods from a New Name"

I don’t trust the truth of memories
because what leaves us
departs forever
There’s only one current of this sacred river
but I still want to remain faithful
to my first astonishments
to recognize as wisdom the child’s wonder
and to carry in myself until the end a path
in the woods of my childhood
dappled with patches of sunlight”
― Anna Kamieńska, Astonishments: Selected Poems

“all anyone truly owns is their reputation, and that nothing speaks of one’s reputation than one’s own deeds.”
― Ryk Brown, The Weak and the Innocent

“My father once told me that life itself was the best education. But just living it wasn’t enough. You had to keep your eyes and ears open, and on occasion, take the time to reflect upon your experiences, both big and small, for every one of them has something to teach you.”
― Ryk Brown, A Show of Force