transported

I have been away from the blog because we have been traveling, finally getting to take a trip that was supposed to be a part of Ginger’s sabbatical in 2020. The focus of the trip is an eight day retreat with Gareth Higgins and Kathleen Norris in and around Belfast, learning about and meeting with peacemakers. Ginger and I came a few days early to see Dublin and will stay a few days after to visit Galway and the west coast.

Today is the first day I have had time or space to write. I am hopeful I will get back to a regular posting over the next few days. There is much to share. For now, here is a poem about those who have helped us get from place to place, offering directions for the journey.

transported

we have come to Ireland both south and north to rest to listen to learn and think about what it means to wage peace some lessons have come in transit

the person who first greeted us when we left the Dublin airport was Declan, the cab driver who snaked through the city to get us to Temple Bar

all the while asking questions and answering ours affirming some of our plans and altering others with a gentle lilt and a kind smile

Morgan carted us from the Kilmainham Gaol the thick stone walls that hold so many wounds to the invitation and hope of EPIC the Irish Emigration Museum

James took us back to the airport so we could move north into a different story that is the same story and as James said is more complicated and he loved Belfast

the cabbie who drove us from Belfast to Holywood said she spent six and a half months working her way across America we will be here fifteen days

and Julie our bus driver for the week said if you pass someone in the street of course you say hello it might be the first time someone has spoken to them that day it’s kind of important

Peace, Milton