Over the last few months I've neglected these readings.  Inspiration would often arise when preparing for Qigong classes at Cowdray Hall.  I would arrive early, set up our practice space, walk across to the cafe for my coffee and then scan the library bookshelves.  A book and page would usually choose me.

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Now I must create alternative opportunities for inspiration.  One of my Christmas presents was a beautiful book of poems by the Persian poet Hafiz.  These take the form of daily contemplations.  Here's one that made me smile:

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DROPPING KEYS

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The small man builds cages for everyone he knows,

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while the sage, who has to duck his head when the moon is low,

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keeps dropping keys all night long for the beautiful, rowdy prisoners.

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* Translated, transliterated, interpreted by Daniel Ladinsky