14 Comments
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Kristina L Daniels's avatar

Dear Andi,

It is inspired the way you evoke emotion and grace from symbols on paper (or now adays my computer screen). Your formulation with words is true alchemy. From one alchemist to another, I offer a deep bow.

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Andi Penner's avatar

Hello! I thought of you earlier today! I'm in London (no, not one of the 60,000 people here to run the marathon) and walked past a storefront that looked like you would be the owner/proprietor--jars of herbs in the window, lotions & potions & therapy. Your brand of alchemy. Xo

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Victoria Whitaker's avatar

So, like, where is your reading. I always am more attentive to nuances and intended communication when YOU read your work. (As you well know, I have a love/hate relationship with poetry.)

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Andi Penner's avatar

So, yeah. I hit send on the email version before I recorded the poem. But if you open the Substack post online instead of via email, https//andipenner.substack.com the recording should be there.

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Amanda McQuade's avatar

So welcome, Andi, this is the great work in which we unite.

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Andi Penner's avatar

And we do, unite, though hundreds of miles apart. xo

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Catherine Lent's avatar

I enjoyed this. I very much want to say YES, we can agree on humanity, goodness, freedom, justice, and peace!! But oh my do we have our work cut out to get there. This work you are doing is certainly part of it. Thank you.

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Andi Penner's avatar

Thank you, Catherine. No other work is more important because if we believe in those things, then we act on them.

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Corie Feiner's avatar

Amen. So full of ceremony and the things I love about this holiday.

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Andi Penner's avatar

Thank you, Corie. Much to love, and much to question. Do you include an orange on your seder plate?

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Marjorie StClair's avatar

Beautifully written with sensitivity and grace. Also, very insightful as to what's behind this ritual.

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Andi Penner's avatar

Thank you, Marjorie. Rituals are so much a part of culture, history, land--all of it is context for what and how we choose to commemorate events, whether or not we still ascribe to the religion. Though I no longer practice either Judaism or Christianity, nor can I support much of what those religions (and others) stand for, I value the insights that come from appreciating their depth.

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rebecca's avatar

Yes: “The question is one of humanity, civilization, and truth.”

Thank you, Andi. I appreciate this sharing.

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Andi Penner's avatar

You're welcome. Thank you for reading, considering.

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