Inspiration from David Whyte
Tales from my Italian adventure
Friends sometimes give you the best gifts without even realizing it. That happened to me when my dear friend Victor sent me a David Whyte poem one day several years ago. It was my first encounter with David’s work and at the time it perfectly captured the emotion of the moment.
Over the years I’ve read pretty much all of David’s work and listened to his audio cds. And like that very first poem, I often find that there is one that speaks as if it were magically written just for me in that instant. I have my favourites - like The House of Belonging - which I return to again and again. When new works appear, they are savoured piece by piece with faith that they too will, in their own time, be written just for me.
Retreating to the tuscan countryside
Of course when the opportunity came to travel to Italy to take part in one of David’s week long retreats I jumped at the chance. He and his wonderful staff created an amazing week of conversation, culinary delights, cultural experiences and indeed poetry. It was an opportunity to experience his work in a new and rich way.
His beautiful command of language and metaphor inspires the writer in me.His urging to return to conversation with ourselves and others moves me to find a deeper dialogue.
If you have already enjoyed David’s work, then know you have a kindred spirit.
If this is your first encounter, consider it my gift to you.
