Tuesday January 14 Tagore # 2
A university has a constant identity. Here, people listen, take each other seriously. Teachers listen to students. When I taught full time, some students told me one day that I was most scary when one of them would say something and I would turn around and write the student’s words on the board, circle one word, and turn around and say: “Why did you choose that word?” Teachers do that, listen for the voice, call it forth; expect respect the words. Not only teachers though. We call on students to listen to each other, to expect meaning from each other. Secretaries, staff in the registrar’s office, nurse practitioners in the student wellness center, campus security officers, coaches; lots of listening goes on around here.
On good days, each of us knows that. And on bad days, maybe one of our peers will notice and ask how we are doing, listen to us. Rabindranath Tagore writes of God expecting a song from me, thrilling me by sacred attention. (Gitanjali # 2)
“Snow showers,” says weather.com, but I see the sun shining on tree tops outside my west-facing window. Have a blest day.
john sj
Tagore # 2
When Thou commandest me to sing
it seems that my heart would break with pride
and I look to Thy face
and tears come to my eyes.
All that is harsh and dissonant in my life
melts into one sweet harmony
and my adoration spreads wings like a glad bird
on its flight across the sea.
I know Thou takest pleasure in my singing
I know that only as a singer I come before Thy presence
I touch by the edge of the far spreading wing of my song
Thy feet which I could never aspire to reach.
Drunk with the joy of singing
I forget myself
and call Thee friend
who art my lord.
Tagore Gitanjali #