This episode explores the intersections of personal and professional lives with Arlene and Scott, discovering how their experiences have shaped their paths. Scott shares a touching poem dedicated to Arlene, capturing the essence of growth, love, and the journey of life. Arlene reflects on her career in child welfare and housing, offering insights into her motivations, challenges, and the impact of her work.  Listeners will be inspired by the shared stories and artistic expressions that underscore the belief that everyone has a place in this world. The episode concludes with actionable steps for fostering a sense of belonging and love in our communities. 

Meet Arlene: A passionate program manager at Youth Navigator Network, Arlene cherishes the outdoors and her family. Drawing from her own experiences in the child welfare and housing systems, Arlene now dedicates her life to making a difference for young people navigating similar challenges. Her journey is one of strength, determination, and unwavering commitment to helping others.

Meet Scott: Dr. Scott Minar is a celebrated poet, essayist, songwriter, and Professor Emeritus of English at Ohio University. With a rich career that includes teaching internationally and collaborating with scholars and writers worldwide, Scott’s work has been published in multiple languages. His books include "Arctic Accordion: Selected Poems" and "Lunch at Mark Twain's Grave." Scott continues to inspire through his poetry, songwriting, and collaborations, including his partnership with Athens-based songwriter Bruce Dalzell. 

A CHILD WALKS
by Dr. Scott Minar

A child walks
Becomes the adult that follows
Wind blows an oak leaf out
Of a tree and it sails
Side to side
As if conducting music

What song is this
So lovely it hurts to see
Its scalloping down imaginary
Steps of air
I was one leaf
You were one
There are more
That are ours

A river is so beautiful
It rises and swells
Or grows smaller and lifts
The landscape showing us more
It does not know its own name
But it knows its real self
As fulsome and tangible

There is no gap in a river
Clouds separate
But all move together
All with the wind

It’s not the same birds
The same flock every year
Schooling the skies
In a perfect arc, perfect
Moment, a sky gesture

I was in a field once
Looking up to see the face
Of a sky god terrible
No, not terrible
But powerful far beyond me
Perhaps this is just
A metaphor for my life
I decided then
That it was not god or fate looking down
On me that mattered
But who I was looking back
I know this is just a way
Of saying how we live
But it matters
I chose love because it’s what I am

What I’ve made myself to be
Which is to say something
I was shown often
By adults around me

All were children
Inside themselves
Like a monarch, a swallowtail
We seem light but are strong
As the wind that carries us

In Mexico there are high mountain
Vistas covered with their orange
Wings lined and drawn
On something lighter than a feather
They made the impossible journey
And all came together
In a kind of heaven
A worldly work of art
We are among them now
Aglow within ourselves
Because we love, have always loved
It is the only peace
The only piece of ourselves
Worth clinging to
Like a spar

The hand of that child
At a crossroads
We will not let go of
While we live

Guest Links: https://www.scottminar.com/ https://www.kinnect.org/about/our-staff/

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