One of my earliest memories is of reciting the Golden Rule in front of my whole church — as a four year old.

Though I couldn’t read yet, I had spent hours memorizing Luke 6:31 from the Bible. I studied the unfamiliar words until I could string together a full sentence, the contents of which I could hardly understand.

(I recently heard about a concept called the Platinum Rule, which — at face value — seems a much more empathetic way to treat people.)

I’ve been holding words in front of my face since I can remember.

Reverence.

#004 / 07.30.22

As I think about all the times I’ve recited words in front of people, something stirs inside me. Nearly every “public speaking/performance” experience I’ve had is etched into my mind.

There was the one time I dressed up as Buzz Lightyear for a skit to announce the homecoming king and queen; or the countless times performing music in high school and college; or the 3-5 hours per week I spent singing in my college choir; or reading my wedding vows to my wife on our wedding day; or just last week reading poetry during my favorite open mic — it was extra meaningful to me because I shared what I wrote in issue #002 of Frgmnts with the community that inspired it.

Especially when speaking words I’ve written myself, something magnificent happens — almost like an out-of-body experience. I become the most vulnerable, yet confident version of myself and feel a connection to the “right now” I have not felt in any other situation.

You wouldn’t think such a simple thing could produce such a rush of emotion.

It most often looks like me holding a phone (or piece of paper) up in front of my face with one hand while the other mindlessly waves around. Sometimes in these moments, I completely revise what I had planned to say, in real time. Even still, this ritual has carried me through all my life.

I will always cherish these opportunities. The only word I can find to explain it is “reverence” (trust me, I’ve been meandering through thesauruses online for the last hour).

I am curious now, whether you have something in your life — an experience or activity — for which you hold such deep respect for. So…

Before I let you go, a quick question: What activity or experience transforms you every time you do it? Pause and answer this for yourself. If you feel like sharing you can reply to this email. (You know mine now, but I'll tell you a few other things that come to mind if you ask!)

Thank you for joining me.

See you next Tuesday,

Benny

P.S. — Since last week’s issue:

🎤 🥳 I was invited to do a poetry reading at PH Coffee on Thursday, November 3rd. I’ll share details as they become available!
I posted a new poem, called “Your Body, A City"

Read all the past issues of Frgmnts here.

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Keep up with all my poetry here.

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