Poetry reading framed the on-being gathering this year,

and we are so happy now to share these slices of beauty,

elation, and contemplation with you.

Here's how David White sent us out into the world

with a poetic benediction.

I'm really not sure I have anything to add to

the richness that's been almost a vendetta of meaning over the last.

In which we've been beaten into surrender.

But it really is by a surrender, and it's a surrender to the doorway that each of us has

to walk through, taking the path of vulnerability into our future life.

And there's a great moment in a Shemus Hini poem,

series of poems called Station Island, where he goes off and has this great spiritual experience.

In this very well-known pilgrimage site called Station Island in Lockdurg in Ireland.

And at the end of it he's feeling very, very spiritual and very, very exalted.

He's been fasting for three days.

And almost beyond his artistry and his writing.

But as he's coming off the island, he meets the shade, the ghost of James Joyce.

And James Joyce looks at him.

And James Joyce has an ash stick in his hand, and he strikes this little bin with it,

you know, makes a loud clanging noise.

And he says, your obligation is not discharged by any common right.

Your obligation is not discharged by any common right.

...