Common Good Collective

Reader

This Reader is an expression of Common Good Collective, a vision for an alternative way, rooted in the act of eliminating economic isolation, the significance of place, and the structure of belonging. Whether you come at this from a place of economics, social good, or faith, we hope these reflections help orient your day in fresh, provocative, courageous ways. And most importantly, we hope these lead you into the sharing of gifts in particular communities—into co-creating a common good.

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Poetry for Building Community, Reader, Structure Of Belonging, Wilderness: Sharing and Reorientation Permalink

“What a Good Woman Does”

Joy Williams has several solo albums and was also part of the Grammy winning duo The Civil Wars.  Her music acknowledges the tension between brilliance and tragedy in this life.

Undersong: To be free from the prescribed gender-specific roles of stereotypes.

What a Good Woman Does
by Joy Williams

Lyrics:

I can’t carry the weight of this war
I can’t do it anymore
Everyone’s wounded, nobody’s won

Hear me
I haven’t lost my voice without you near me
I can tell the truth about you leaving
But that’s not what a good woman does

Don’t feel sorry for yourself
You’ve got everything you want
Everyone’s watching you pick up and run

To hear me
I haven’t lost my voice without you near me
I can tell the truth about you leaving
But that’s not what a good woman does

Ooh, a good woman does
That’s not what a good woman
Ooh, that’s not what a good woman does

Can’t carry the weight of this war
I won’t do it anymore

Hear me
I haven’t lost my voice without you near me
I can tell the truth about you leaving
But that’s not what a good woman does

Ooh, a good woman does
That’s not what a good woman
Ooh, that’s not what a good woman does

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 Reader, Structure Of Belonging, Wilderness: Sharing and Reorientation Permalink

The Book of Delights: “Joy is Such a Human Madness”

Ross Gay’s wonderful collection entitled The Book of Delights honors familiar sights, sounds, and interactions by describing the wonder and joy found within each.

Undersong: To be free from projecting a censored and incomplete version of ourselves  

Ross Gay, author of “The Book of Delights.”

The Book of Delights
by Ross Gay
Excerpt: Chapter: Joy is Such a Human Madness

Among the most beautiful things I’ve ever heard anyone say came from my student Bethany, talking about her pedagogical aspirations or ethos, how she wanted to be as a teacher, and what she wanted her classrooms to be: “What if we joined our wildernesses together?”  Sit with that for a minute.  That the body, the life, might carry a wilderness, an unexplored territory, and that yours and mine might somewhere, somehow, meet.  Might, even, join.

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 Covenant: Moving from Contract to Commitment, Invitation, Possibly: Freedom for A New Story, Reader Permalink

Zen Shorts: “The Farmer’s Luck”

Jon Muth is an author and artist whose Zen series introduces us to a friendship between 3 neighborhood children and a wise panda named Stillwater.  Readers witness common childhood conflict, and marvel at Stillwater’s ability to share timeless stories that result in far more beauty and effect than any scolding or punishment could. 

Undersong: To be free from unhelpful conclusions and verdicts

Zen Shorts
by Jon Muth
Excerpt: The Farmer’s Luck

There was once an old farmer who had worked his crops for many years. One day, his horse ran away. “Such bad luck!” his neighbors said. “Maybe,” replied the farmer. The next morning the horse returned, bringing with it two other wild horses. “Such good luck!” his neighbors said. “Maybe,” replied the farmer. The following day, his son tried to ride one of the wild horses, was thrown off, and broke his leg. “Such bad luck!” his neighbors said. “Maybe,” replied the farmer. The day after, military officials came to the village to draft young men into the army to fight in a war. Seeing that the son’s leg was broken, they passed him by. “Such good luck!” his neighbors said. “Maybe,” replied the farmer.

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 Invitation, Poetry for Building Community, Reader, Structure Of Belonging Permalink

“Don’t Give Up”

There are times, like I feel today, when we don’t want to keep fighting. We place down our pen, our phone, our tools, and look at the unfinished tasks and chaos stretched before us with shear exhaustion and defeat. Sampa Tembo, known professionally as Sampa the Great, is a Zambian-born Australia-based rapper and songwriter who wrote the song entitled “Don’t Give Up.” Her message is simple, yet the composition of this piece is thick with uplifting power.

“Don’t Give Up”
By Sampa The Great

No
Don’t give up
Don’t give up
No not yet

Eh eh

No
Don’t give up
Don’t give up
No not yet

Eh eh
Eh eh
Eh eh

Night comes
Night goes
I fly
Solo
I come
Hollow
Building the bridge of the ghetto

Night comes
Night goes
I fly
Solo
I come
Hollow
Building the bridge of the ghetto

Someone’s in my fears
Someone’s in my ears
Some of them I build on me
Some of them out here

Latching on my cloak
Latching till I choke
Some of them is smiling
Them thinking I don’t know
No

No
Don’t give up
Don’t give up
No not yet

Eh eh

No
Don’t give up
Don’t give up
No not yet

Eh eh
Eh eh
Eh eh

Nighttime
I find
I climb
My mind
Fly through the air
The air
Nighttime
I find
I climb
My mind
Fly through the air
The air
The air

Eh
Eh eh
Eh eh
Eh eh

No
Don’t give up
Don’t give up
No not yet

Eh eh

No
Don’t give up
Don’t give up
No not yet

Eh eh
Eh eh
Eh eh

Source: LyricFind
Songwriters: Perrin Moss / Sampa Tembo
Don’t Give Up lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.

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