May 15, 2026

You thrive, you glow! by Pat Mulroy

Seven of Pentacles is one of my favorite poems by Marge Piercy. After taking a deep dive into her life and her work, I was excited to see just how much more I can learn. I am so grateful to have the opportunity to curate so many amazing authors, poets, and artist for this daily offering. Learning more about Marge Piercy is one of those gifts.

I found so much inspiration in her poem To have without holding, I wanted to share with you how I responded to the prompt - “…but you thrive, you glow” - when Jean and I wrote this morning, at our table. We share a similar daily practice with our friends Darcy and Penny from Writing Together: A Year of Meaning Making and Friendship.

I hope you are inspired to write together and make meaning of our complex and wonderful world.

Pat

You thrive, you glow

Inspired by To have without holding by Marge Piercy

It rained hard last night and I sat watching the sun make its way up from the east - droplets of water on the nearby plants glowing.

The barbed wire of wanting to belong is hard to untangle. Filled with cuts and deep wounds from the struggle, I have rubbed the lineament of time through these crevices - the quiet, smooth surface of my soul beginning to emerge.

Reminded of all the times I imagined I would not get through; a day, a moment, a phase, a relationship. Then, suddenly, I am on the other side.

At peace, as much as I have ever been, right now - letting go slowly. The act of holding on, dragging myself through the fire, wanting to be a part of something, anything, has faded. Just maybe, the universe is where I am called to settle in - studying the night sky, looking to my ancestors, seeking their wisdom. Or sitting still and noticing as the seeds become sprouts - some will thrive and glow, some will perish. I hold each loved one as a seed or star as they come and go, freely, where I will meet them in the night sky or the early morning mist.

There are people and places that don’t require fences, bars, and barbed wire, where I can listen. I find that place more frequently in myself, too. A space that resists being wrapped in the ragged wire of another’s pain, my pain. Instead - witnessing, not clutching, breathing in and out, eyes open, heart glowing with love.

Invitation: “I have rubbed the lineament of…”

Photo by Patrick Miyaoka on Unsplash

Pat Mulroy, a curious learner, explorer, and a creative optimist. She is a teacher at heart, bringing out the talents and gifts of others. Providing opportunities for people to learn about themselves and others feels like the most important work. Circles of Courageous Commons is an adventure she welcomes each day, where we hope to expand opportunities to learn in community.

She has held many roles, including teacher, school and district leader, and learner. Yet, my most cherished roles are the ones that make me a family member, a friend, a colleague, and a companion on the journey. Pat has earned her doctorate in Educational Leadership, is a Facilitator trained with the Center for Courage & Renewal, and a Lifelong Learner.

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May Courageous Citizen

Doris “Granny D” Haddock

“Just as an unbalanced mind can accumulate mental stresses that can grow and take on a life of their own, so little decisions of our modern life can accumulate to the point where our society finds itself bombing other people for their oil, or supporting dictators who torture whole populations—all so that our unbalanced interests might be served.”