On January 30th, 2011, the 13 RSCJ from the probation group “Vivir y Amar con Alegria Profunda” (Live and Love with Deep Joy) professed final vows. The poem below is my way of marking this year’s anniversary. Five Years’ Thanksgiving I am surrounded by journey and love; Love that is forever freeing and coming round…

Preparing dinner tonight was such a simple joy. I brought in music I enjoy and chopped away to a favorite playlist that includes Carrie Newcomer, Anonymous 4’s folk aspect, and Natalie Merchant. I reveled in the warm swath of alto voices and the sometimes harmonies that inclined my ear toward a nearness of sweet noted…