July 1, 2019
On Friday morning, Richard Rohr’s meditation on Conscious Parenting included a poem-prayer from our most recent book, Coral Castles by Carol Bialock:
Does the heart have a narrow door?
Will it allow in just one more
of every beast and flower and bird
and every song it has ever heard?
Just one more child, just one more flower,
one more relinquishing of power
to that sane and sacred foolishness
of living by inclusiveness?
Does the heart have a supple, elastic latch
that makes it easy to dispatch
all pettiness and bigotry
and opens it to what makes us free?
. . .
You who can heal all wounds and hate
make my heart open, free, and great.
—Carol Bialock [1]
Richard asks readers to “take note of what word or phrase stands out to you. Come back to that word or phrase throughout the day, being present to its impact and invitation.” And in the footnote, Richard offers the following words about Carol and about her book:
[1] Carol Bialock, “Widening the Door,” Coral Castles (Fernwood: 2019), 87. Used with permission. Carol is a Religious of the Sacred Heart and author of the poem “Breathing Underwater” which inspired the title of my book on Twelve-Step spirituality, Breathing Under Water. Today is Sr. Carol’s 90th birthday and the release of her book of poems, Coral Castles!
I want to thank you for your support of Barclay Press. Carol (who turned 90 years old last week) had been seeking a publisher with the help of friends and family, one of whom brought the manuscript to my attention. Your help made it possible for us to give Carol a birthday she won’t soon forget!
Eric Muhr
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