David Given Schwarm

Married, Father, United

St. Cyprian

What toil we must endure, what fatigue, while we are attempting to climb hills and the summits of mountains! What, that we may ascend to heaven! If you consider the promised reward, what you endure is less. Immortality is given to the one who perseveres; everlasting life is offered; the Lord promises His Kingdom.
31. Creativity

Tao gave birth to the One,the One gave birth to the Two,and the Two gave birth to the Three.From the Three all things have sprung. All things are borne out of the femininehaving been seeded by the masculine.What unites everything is breath. Uniqueness is shunned by some;but the wise make use of it. For things…
Fuji

This was part of a great batch of apples Lisa got at Trader Joes.
Gas Pump 02007/12/07

Golf tees–they arenot a four letterword to expresshow frustration really feels. Swimming alone with a busy mind–scheming and planning without caffine– the way to a happy day
St. Tikhon of Zadonsk, Journey to Heaven

Do we forgive our neighbors their trespasses? God also forgives us in His mercy. Do we refuse to forgive? God, too, will refuse to forgive us. As we treat our neighbors, so also does God treat us. The forgiveness, then, of your sins or unforgiveness, and hence also your salvation or destruction, depend on you…
Leaf Yoga

his is this leaffallen–like Gandhi and the blissful motherwith the mute husbandcalling other men dad. Outside the pool gatestill counting theout breath, slowly. Brown brittle chasteand cold on the sidewalk. The leaf does notcreate its own enthusiasm, it isshaken by the wind. I am not the leaf–biodegradable martyrof the ecosystem. Stirred by antsmistaken byCandi at…
29. Tao’s Path

The path of Tao returns to Tao.By yielding it moves.Emerging out of emptiness,Tao return to emptiness.
A Sonnet

My love is pregnantAnd wears yoga pantsWhen it rains on our suburban streetsAnd at the ChristmasTree lot she shops For Trees for the kidsTb be flocked in blue and whiteMy love understands tiredAnd knows the urge to slackOn the couch, with TV on And I knowAll is well.
Reward Time

Holy cow. Either you finished writing yesterday, or you’re going to wrap things up tonight. If you do cross the 50,000-word finish line, please be sure to retrieve the Badge of the Triumphant Wordsmith, and in a solemn ceremony, attach it your chest. Then, run whooping and screaming to deliver the news of your amazing…
Returning to Earth

One of the hardest parts about writing a 30-day novel is knowing what to do with yourself after it ends. Studies have shown that both men and women can suffer from postpartum depression after the birth of their child, and you shouldn’t be too surprised if you come down with a touch of the blues…