There is a path
Reflection by Judy Sorum Brown
“From one heart to another
There is a path.”
“It’s a Turkish Proverb”
Writes a stranger in Turkey
Who wants two copies of
my newest book of poetry.
How in the world
Did you find me,
I ask her.
She explains
The path.
It’s a surprise to me.
Circuitous
She came to me
By way of things
I didn’t know existed.
The proverb says it best:
From one heart to another
There is a path.
— Judy Sorum Brown, May 5, 2025
Judy Brown
I am a mid-westerner from the small fishing village of Leland, in northwestern Michigan. My agriculture and Cooperative Extension heritage draws me to the practical use of theories, research and science as a way to transform our lives and our work. As a Quaker, writer, and poet, I embrace processes which incorporate reflection and inquiry and am intrigued by the power of language and metaphor to shift our thinking and open us to new perspectives.
What’s Your Story?
True to form, the poet Judy Sorum Brown lyrically recounts a tale of serendipity and connection.
I am tickled that the tale’s twists and turns are as magical and many layered as her poetic response. It began when a stranger, residing in Turkey, read Dennis Huffman’s reflection, It lies in the love of the wood and the grain, inspired by Judy’s poem, “Wooden Boats,” posted on Building Bridges Word by Word Substack and was moved to check out Judy’s website, where she discovered Judy’s latest book of poems, “These Days” and wrote to her in appreciation and thanks, to purchase a copy of the book.
A series of emails, often mundane and transactional, became a way of finding meaning and building relationship. Many thanks to Judy for sharing this delightful exchange and the words that inspired it.
The power of words to connect, to bring people together and discover what we may have in common or what we can learn from those who have different perspectives – is at the heart of Building Bridges Word by Word.
How about you? Have you had a connection blossom unexpectedly with someone you hadn’t met, and perhaps were unlikely to do so? How did you find each other? What did you learn upon doing so?
Share your story, in prose is fine, and we’ll post it here and on the Building Bridges Word by Word website. Why write? Why share? Capturing these moments gives that random connection more space and time to deepen and reminds us all that we are more than what divides us.
How to get started? Check out the guidelines and next steps in the button below. Questions? Email me at mscribner.buidlingbridgeswbw@gmail.com. I look forward to working with you to share your story.
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