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The Society of Friends

The Society of Friends
Sunday Morning Meeting for Worship

Taller than the tallest,
higher than the roof beams.
There’s not much to see
of the graveyard;
no markers then or now:
a surround of trees,
a grassy space.
It feels comfortable
to lie down with Quakers,
and point my camera
to where the branches
seem to conduct
experiments with light.
It’s as if you can
still shake hands
with those who affirm
“that which is of God
is in every one.” Above all,
it’s peaceful to be together
at this bright Sunday Meeting.

REUNIÃO PARA A ORAÇÃO DA MANHÃ DE DOMINGO

Mais alta do que a maior
mais alta do que os barrotes do telhado.
Não há muito para ver
no cemitério:
sem referências antigas ou recentes;
uma cerca de árvores,
um espaço relvado.
Sinto-me confortável
deitado ao lado dos Quakers,
a apontar a minha máquina fotográfica
para onde os ramos parecem
orquestrar
experiências luminosas.
É como se
ainda pudéssemos apertar as mãos
àqueles que afirmam
"o que é de Deus
está em todos". Principalmente,
é tranquilo estarmos juntos
nesta brilhante reunião de domingo.

by Steve BUCKNELL, in his Ipernity.com page, 25.10.2020

(Portuguese translated by Armando TABORDA, 2020)

xenophora, Laura Perinelli, kiiti, Frank J Casella and 23 other people have particularly liked this photo


28 comments - The latest ones
 Armando Taborda
Armando Taborda club
Symphonic ballet!
3 years ago.
Steve Bucknell club has replied to Armando Taborda club
The tickets are free.
3 years ago.
 J.Garcia
J.Garcia club
Hosanna in the highest
3 years ago.
Steve Bucknell club has replied to J.Garcia club
No singing allowed at Quaker Meeting, Judite!
3 years ago.
J.Garcia club has replied to Steve Bucknell club
I didn't know, Steve
3 years ago.
Steve Bucknell club has replied to J.Garcia club
Thinking about it, I’m probably wrong. In Meeting the Quakers sit together for an hour. There are no hymns, prayers or readings. It can be an hour of silence, but if a person feels moved to speak they can stand and share what they have felt and thought. People do not reply or argue. The point is to listen. If you felt moved to stand and sing, then.....I’m not sure. Others could not join in, but would listen carefully. Listening is the thing.
3 years ago.
Armando Taborda club has replied to Steve Bucknell club
It's good to hear our own silence. Nowadays there are a few "Silence Rooms", open to all faiths, like the one at the Brandenburg Gate, Berlin, where I stayed very happy for a couple of minutes some years ago.
3 years ago.
 Armando Taborda
Armando Taborda club
I just read your text now, 41 hours after my comment, Steve! ... and I tell you, this is one of your best texts, not so acid as usual, simple, beautiful and profound. Love it!

I will publish your text with a Portuguese translation on my Ipernity page.

Done today, 29.10.2020; also published on www.facebook.com/armando.taborda.10 and Livro Único, www.facebook.com/a.p.m.taborda
3 years ago. Edited 3 years ago.
Steve Bucknell club has replied to Armando Taborda club
It’s strange, Armando, I don’t usually want to look back at my own poems. I feel, as W.G.Sebald describes in Austerlitz that: “as soon as I glanced at the page the next morning I was sure to find the most appalling mistakes, inconsistencies and lapses staring at me from the paper.” I don’t enjoy reading them, though, sometimes I do enjoy writing them!

But it is a real pleasure for me to read this translation over and over. The Portuguese gives it a musicality that transcends the content, for me. It rolls off the tongue with those wonderful repeated “o” sounds. Certain lines sound wonderful: “ experiências luminosas.”, “ um espaco revaldo “, and many others. I shall read it over again, many times!
3 years ago. Edited 3 years ago.
Armando Taborda club has replied to Steve Bucknell club
Not any poet from those I've been translating into Portuguese ever since reacted like you, Steve! You're a clever, sensitive and wonderful person I got the privilege to meet in my life.

What you said upon the Portuguese sounds of my translation only means that the English original has a universal dimension.

I'm moved with your comment! Thanks from my heart!
3 years ago. Edited 3 years ago.
 Trudy Tuinstra
Trudy Tuinstra club
very good point of vieuw
3 years ago.
 Annemarie
Annemarie club
well done, beautiful also the titel
3 years ago.
 Léopold
Léopold club
A good spot where to appreciate Mother nature while cracking our grateful necks.
3 years ago.
Steve Bucknell club has replied to Léopold club
I was lying down! It was very relaxing!
3 years ago.
 Armando Taborda
Armando Taborda club
Gave me great pleasure to see my Portuguese translation attached to your text, Steve!
3 years ago.
Steve Bucknell club has replied to Armando Taborda club
It seems appropriate, Armando. I hope we can get together again one day.
3 years ago.
Armando Taborda club has replied to Steve Bucknell club
So do I, Steve!
3 years ago.
 William Sutherland
William Sutherland club
Outstanding perspective! Stay well!
3 years ago.
 Marie-claire Gallet
Marie-claire Gallet
EXCELLENT, Steve !!!! Keep safe and healthy !!!
3 years ago.
 Nautilus
Nautilus
magnifique de vertige !
3 years ago.
 Sarah P.
Sarah P. club
Trees always bring me peace. Call me a tree-hugger and I'll consider it a compliment. (Someone once called me a n----lover, and I had the same reaction. Really? You think this will insult me? I'm going to carry it like a medal.)
Sorry for rambling. Coffee hasn't kicked in yet.
I might yet become a Quaker.
3 years ago.
Steve Bucknell club has replied to Sarah P. club
I always felt that anyone could be a Quaker, without having to believe in any god, without feeling that the “spiritual realm” was real or important. Meeting could mean many things; I always felt that it was a good place to be, for that hour. I haven’t been to a Quaker meeting for many years, but I always recommend the experience to others. Sadly, now, there’s no Quaker handshake and no physical meeting. It makes me think I’ll go to a Meeting when that’s possible again. Now I’ll go and get my second coffee.
3 years ago.
 Treasa Ui Cionaodha
Treasa Ui Cionaodha
Great shot. Well chosen POV Well done Steve Regards Tess. Nice poem also. Congratulations on Explore. Well deserved
3 years ago. Edited 3 years ago.
Steve Bucknell club has replied to Treasa Ui Cionaodha
Many thanks.
3 years ago.
 Amelia
Amelia club
The poetry does great justice to the photo. I've read through it twice while imagining lying down in our local woodland and feeling the tranquility of branches and sky.
3 years ago.
Steve Bucknell club has replied to Amelia club
Thank you, Amelia. I hope the Quakers will be able to resume their traditional greeting of shaking hands soon.
3 years ago.
 Frank J Casella
Frank J Casella
Wonderful title and words, and use of the square, Steve.
3 years ago.
 Laura Perinelli
Laura Perinelli
Una bellissima sinfonia..mi piace molto! Ciao buona giornata - Laura
3 years ago.