Hearing the World . . .
. . . Sam's Poetry
Fully Human; a collection of verse
by Samuel P. Magill
Fully Human is a collection of poems that depict moments of life illuminating what it means to be human in our times. Sam’s rich and poetic metaphors have been wonderfully received by clients in health care, mental health and education where Sam has used his work to help people explore life’s challenges and moments of grace. Geoffrey Bellman, well known local leadership author says in the book’s endorsements, “You reach into and through the shadows and death in its many forms. Many people will find solace in your words about suffering meaninglessness…and those that don’t should! You coax the meaning out of the darkness with a knowing voice.”
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| Paper Back Book "Fully Human" 66 poems, 103 pages plus 13 of Sam's color photographs.
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Audio CD "Fully Human" verses read by the author accompanied by original piano composition by Kathleen Stinnett 61 poems, 78 minutes
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From the acknowledgments:
Why Fully Human? Part of my resistance to collecting and publishing these words is that they are self revealing. One early reader, Max, said he felt he was reading my private journal. You are right, Max. Each poem reflects my interaction or perception of a moment in time. Some are deeply personal, looking inside my own being. Some of those expose considerable depression, anxiety or longing. Some reveal my love of my family, my delights and struggles in being a father. Some reflect my desire to be of use and my half-deaf listening to God.
Now I am convinced that our primary task is to become fully human. We need not look very far away, but somehow, as Irish writer – poet John O’Donoghue has said, we make the short physiological trip to our hearts, very arduous indeed. All of our strivings – our American addiction to advancement and “moving up a level” are disguised efforts to be accepted as we are – just as we are.
Beloved
First waking in rumpled hair,
Having not put on my beauty masks
Or prepared myself for public viewing,
Will I allow myself to be called,
Beloved?
The Voice of God
We have no need to fear
all the voices of humanity.
In combination the melodies and
cadences blend, rising and
falling deep and light blending
I am sure into something like
the song of angels.
The Play at Rendezvous Hut
Je suis content.
The gas lantern hushes,
shhhhh, like an usher
waiting for the play to begin.
The stage is set with candle glow,
warm food settling in
now that we have eaten.
Outside
the dark cold world rests,
comforted in its snowy down.
Peace and quiet surround the hut as
all of nature waits for life to stir.
It is much more quiet out than in
where my chattery mind
keeps interrupting both the player
and those who witness
Winter’s quiet silent drama.
The usher keeps at me,
until, thought by city thought
I let the world slip away
content to be on this stage
where only the silence
speaks its lines.
Harvest Timing
The apples are gathered in now
And it was a good crop.
The last of the raspberries
Mould on the canes,
A few tomatoes linger
In hopes of one more sunny day.
It’s been a good garden this year.
I’ve spent more time than ever
Weeding beds, mowing, trimming;
I even attacked the blackberries
And morning glory vines.
Weeks ago I noticed progress in
My cleaning out, but yesterday
I saw these last ones
Have not given up.
New vines, even in September,
Creep back into the walks,
Set off new shoots into the Rhododendrons.
Now I see life in a mix of ripe fruit
And work that isn’t done.
Come Spring, I’ll hit the vines again
And feel I’ve made more progress –
Once more cutting back the over growth
Pulling up the morning glory
secretly invading the vegetables.
Every year I cut them back,
And they in turn grow more.
Life, then, is as much about
The weeds as it is about the fruit.
As ministers, stewards of the garden,
We weed and prune,
Sometimes getting what we want.
The cuttings, handled well,
Turn to compost for growing
More sweet fruit.
YES
This morning I am saying yes.
Perhaps success is simply embracing
This moment, these sounds, this full heart.
If this is what life most asks of us,
Then I am full.
I am saying yes to waking up today,
To seeing early morning light and quiet streets.
Yes to the men who seem
To have slept on the beach,
Now joining in the café,
Sharing coffee and the local paper,
Greeting one another in familiar tones.
Yes to the people sitting alone
With coffee and a morning muffin
Starting their days,
And to the bright eyed woman
Making coffee with friendly greetings.
Yes to the little girl sitting on mom’s lap,
Hands mingled, smiling.
Yes to the look of concerned,
Furrowed brows over mom’s eyes
Hidden by dark glasses.
Her day also is starting just as it is.
And yes to the old songs on the radio
Played in this beach side place for decades.
Yes to my day already in motion
And to each person I meet.
Yes to life, to our common goal of living.
You, dear friend,
Where is your YES today?
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