<html><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html charset=us-ascii"></head><body style="word-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; -webkit-line-break: after-white-space;" class=""><div style="margin: 0px; line-height: normal;" class=""><span style="font-size: 24px;" class="">You are cordially invited to join us for an Oral Tradition Poetry Salon</span></div><div class=""><font class="Apple-style-span" size="6"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 24px;"><br class=""></span></font><div class=""><font size="5" class=""><b class="">An Affirming Flame</b></font></div><div class=""><br class=""><div class="">Saturday, December 17</div><div class="">7:00 PM</div><div class=""><br class=""></div><div class="">at the home of Larry Robinson</div><div class="">460 Eleanor Avenue, Sebastopol, CA</div><div class=""><br class=""></div><div class=""><br class=""></div><div class="">In this time of deepening darkness, we will gather in fellowship to share poetry, songs and stories learned by heart. </div><div class=""><br class=""></div><div class="">Seating is limited. To reserve a space please do not reply to this message; instead, send me a message at <a href="mailto:Lrobpoet@sonic.net" class="">Lrobpoet@sonic.net</a>.</div></div></div><div class=""><br class=""></div><div class=""><br class=""></div><div style="margin: 0px; line-height: normal;" class="">An Affirming Flame - W.H. Auden</div><div style="margin: 0px; line-height: normal; min-height: 19px;" class=""><br class=""></div><div style="margin: 0px; line-height: normal; min-height: 19px;" class=""><br class=""></div><div style="margin: 0px; line-height: normal;" class="">Defenseless under the night</div><div style="margin: 0px; line-height: normal;" class="">Our world in stupor lies;</div><div style="margin: 0px; line-height: normal;" class="">Yet, dotted everywhere,</div><div style="margin: 0px; line-height: normal;" class="">Ironic points of light</div><div style="margin: 0px; line-height: normal;" class="">Flash out wherever the Just</div><div style="margin: 0px; line-height: normal;" class="">Exchange their messages:</div><div style="margin: 0px; line-height: normal;" class="">May I, composed like them</div><div style="margin: 0px; line-height: normal;" class="">Of Eros and of dust,</div><div style="margin: 0px; line-height: normal;" class="">Beleaguered by the same</div><div style="margin: 0px; line-height: normal;" class="">Negation and despair,</div><div style="margin: 0px; line-height: normal;" class="">Show an affirming flame.</div><div style="margin: 0px; line-height: normal; min-height: 19px;" class=""><br class=""></div><div style="margin: 0px; line-height: normal;" class=""> - W.H. Auden </div></body></html>