Live Virtual Group Session: 12PM EST February 28th 2025

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Thank you to everyone who joined us for this session!

For this session we read a poem “Last Sky World Burn” by Fargo Nissim Tbakhi, posted below.

Our prompt was: “Write about a clearing for a new world.”

Participants are warmly encouraged to share what you wrote below (“Leave a Reply”), to keep the conversation going here, bearing in mind that the blog of course is a public space where confidentiality is not assured.

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Please join us for our next session Monday March 3rd at 6pm EST, with more times listed on our Live Virtual Group Sessions.

Last Sky World Burn by Fargo Nissim Tbakhi

what the birds know is the way home

it begins with a door that cannot find its own name

the bird who stitches together the last sky must sing the name into existence

and the door opens into the burning of the world

 

through the door we find each other

and in the wholeness the birds

collective rupture into species being

the last sky world burn sings itself into our feet

soles imbued with prophecy of dirt

 

good lord last sky world burn there is something beyond you

the birds are taking us to find it

you are singing the door open for us

and through it streams the flood of the people

the feet of the flood of the people burn the world as they run

 

the last sky world burn is desperate to open the door for us

there are birds making treaties with the sky to facilitate its arrival

there are feet conspiring with the land to ensure the world burn is total

last sky will empty itself of airplanes and war jets to make room for our spirits

 

the last sky world burn is a sketch of a coming dream

it is our duty to believe in its inevitable birth

the last sky world burn asks a question

it is our responsibility to make the answer

Copyright © 2025 by Fargo Nissim Tbakhi. Originally published in Poem-a-Day on February 25, 2025, by the Academy of American Poets.

12 thoughts on “Live Virtual Group Session: 12PM EST February 28th 2025”

    • al3793's avatar al3793

      Elizabeth, your speaker describes perfectly what we do in Narrative Medicine. Thos of us who believe this and try to practice it must bring this light to all around us. I don’t believe that only the animals have this “instinct”. I believe it is embedded in humanity and consequently we have a responsibility to search for the answer in this way. I wish I had your gift of economy of word, Elizabeth.

      Thank you.

      Andre

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  2. michele348's avatar michele348

    About a clearing for a new world~~~

    Clouds of war and deceit shroud the world,
    leaving its citizens to wander
    in disillusionment and hopelessness.

    I stand on unstable ground,
    losing my footing as I try
    to find my way.

    From the heavens, a flock
    of brilliant white doves descends,
    hovering above my head.

    I follow them to a verdant clearing
    in a forest of towering pines.
    There, a heavenly light envelops me,
    bringing a sense of safety
    to my heart.

    My fears have subsided, and my questions
    have been answered.
    I am at peace here.

    Will you join me? There’s plenty of room.

    Liked by 1 person

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    • al3793's avatar al3793

      Michele, it is interesting that both of our speakers include birds in their narratives. Your speaker goes from unstable ground to a space where Providence soothes and provides stability. The invitation into the safety of this pastoral scene is generous and gracious and I believe it is one of the answers the poet is hoping to find. It takes me into the Psalmist’s world.

      Thanks,

      Andre

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  4. al3793's avatar al3793

    Write about a clearing for the new world

    The chevron of geese was off kilter.
    The lead could not be seen.
    The string of barking foul
    looked like an ill-stitched wound
    perhaps a child’s ghoulish Halloween painting.
    The gray clouds were gathering ahead
    of a burst from the polar vortex,
    chilling the ear, frosting the cheek and
    sending a shiver down the spine
    prompting a cautious wonder about
    what lay ahead in the dark of the night.
    But the night’s work will rest the soul and
    and work out dreams preparing
    the sleeper for the questions the day will bring.

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    • michele348's avatar michele348

      A very sensory description of Canada geese noisily flying overhead at dusk on a chilly winter day, stirring up memories of times gone by, but still vividly remembered. Hopefully, a good night’s sleep will calm the spirit and prepare the speaker for the demands of the following day.

      My ears can hear their loud honks and my cheeks feel the bitter cold. This winter gave us plenty of practice.

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    • Elizabeth's avatar Elizabeth

      Andre, how beautiful to work out things in dreams. Also, I love looking at geese and now can look at them in a different way.

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