Poem reading - Sacred Space Retreat Group

🌊 The River — A Living Poem Session

A real session clip to feel the cadence of sacred space: reading William Stafford’s “What Happens When You Get Lost.”

About wording in the poem. Stafford uses the historical term “Indian” (meaning Native American). In this session I name that context and read the poem as written, while honoring contemporary language and respect. Inside sacred space, we hold both history and care.

Inside The River we read, we listen, and we name things that have gone unnamed. The point isn’t performance; it’s presence. You’ll hear the poem cleanly, then my commentary connecting it to the labyrinth, the lost board member, and the star at the center (Asterion) — and then a second clean read to let the rhythm land in your body.

What you’ll feel here

  • ✔️ A slower, steadier nervous system — you can actually hear yourself again
  • ✔️ Language for the “lost” feeling that turns it into guidance, not judgment
  • ✔️ Gentle mythic direction toward joy, purpose, and right-now next steps
▶ Full session transcript (clean read → commentary → clean read)

Session intro

Hey everyone
So on the whole naming thing... [full intro as recorded, including India trip note and context about wording]

Poem — first clean read (William Stafford, “What Happens When You Get Lost”)

out in the mountains Nobody gives you anything.
And you learn what the rules were after the game is over.
By then, it is already night...
[poem text as read in your recording]

Commentary

So this poem to me is about naming... [your full commentary from the session]

Poem — second clean read

what happens when you get lost
out in the mountains Nobody gives you anything...
[poem text as read in your recording]

Note: This transcript is provided so you can linger with lines at your own pace. In the groups, we move slowly; your body gets to catch up.

If this resonates, email me a few lines about why The River is calling right now, and I’ll place you in a Sacred Space Retreat Group that fits.

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Prefer to sample more first? Explore the free Sanctuary Series playlist on YouTube and feel the devotional cadence we keep.