David Bannon

“Niemals anders sah ich dich erwachen
Als mit einem heitern Lachen,
Gleich als ob vom Paradiesesbaume
Blüten du gepflückt im Traume.

Und so hoff' ich, dass mit heiterm Lachen
Du auch jetzt wirst erwachen
Droben von des Lebens kurzem Traume
Unterm Paradiesesbaume.”
― Friedrich Rückert, Kindertodtenlieder

“Listening to the sounds of nature,
I can ponder how best
to scrub away the grime of my heart.

On a day like this,
with nothing to disturb me,
sitting alone,
I know the joy of being.”
― Beopjeong, Meditations of a Korean Monk: A Weekly Reader Zen Master Beopjeong

“In the rising of the sun and in its going down, we remember them.

In the blowing of the wind and in the chill of winter, we remember them.

In the opening of buds and in the rebirth of spring, we remember them.

In the blueness of the sky and in the warmth of summer, we remember them.

In the rustling of leaves and in the beauty of autumn, we remember them.

In the beginning of the year and when it ends, we remember them.

When we are weary and in need of strength, we remember them.

When we are lost and sick at heart, we remember them.

When we have joys we yearn to share, we remember them.

So long as we live, they too shall live, for they are now a part of us, as we remember them.

~ Gates of Prayer

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Sylvan Kamens and Jack Riemer, New Prayers for the High Holy Days, ed. Jack Riemer (Media Judaica, 1970): 36. See also Gates of Prayer: The New Union Prayer Book (Weekends, Sabbaths, and Festivals) (Central Conference of American Rabbis, 1975): 552.”
― Central Conference of American Rabbis, Gates of Prayer for the House of Mourning the New Union Prayerbook

“We have raging fires in our souls with no one to stop by and warm themselves, though some may notice a wisp of smoke in the chimney as they pass. What can we do with this? Shall we tend this inner fire, “salt among ourselves” so to speak, and wait patiently—with such impatience—for that hour when those who feel inclined visit, sit, perhaps even stay? We who believe in God wait for that hour, trusting it will come sooner or later.
— Vincent van Gogh, June 1880

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“Tel a un grand foyer dans son âme,” Vincent to Theo van Gogh, Cuesmes, 22-24 June 1880, Lettres de Vincent Van Gogh à son frère Théo (Grasset, 1914). Translation © 2020 David Bannon.”
― Vincent van Gogh