Weekly Reflection: Ghost Angels

Opening their eyes for the 
first time, ducks imprint 
on the first thing they see.

And we imprint on the things 
we see after our loved ones die.

I see my father now in the
last inch of surf. You see your 
mom in the pebble that looks 
like a heart. And your old friend 
appears in the violin music that 
was playing when you got the call. 

In time, we rely on these ghost 
angels to call our loved ones to 
us. I go to the sea and plead with 
the surf. You walk in silence with 
the pebble in your pocket. And 
you close your eyes and play the 
Passacaglia in G Minor over 
and over.

Others who haven’t felt the sacred 
pull feel sad for us. But it is this 
pull in all directions that makes 
life worth living.


A Question to Walk With: Describe a pull you feel toward someone you have lost. How does it show up? Likewise, describe a pull you feel back into life. How does this show up?

This excerpt is from my book of poems, This Slow Quick Dance.

Mark Nepo’s New Book The Fifth Season – Now Available for Pre-Order!

"In much of our world, aging is thought of as a disease to avoid. But as Mark Nepo beautifully shows, aging can be a process of transformation and expansion. The Fifth Season is an essential guidebook for how to explore your inner world, embrace the many gifts of aging, and live more fully."

—Arianna Huffington, Founder & CEO, Thrive Global

In this deeply moving book, Mark explores the gifts that come with aging—inviting us to live more fully, love more deeply, and express ourselves more authentically, even as the body slows down. Rather than battling the inevitable, The Fifth Season invites us to embrace it, so that no feeling is left unfelt, no voice left unheard, and no part of this precious life unloved.

The Fifth Season releases on July 15, 2025, and you can pre-order your copy today through the retailer of your choice — Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Powell’s, and more using the link here.

Upcoming Events with Mark in 2025!

May 29 - June 4, 2025: You Don’t Have to Do It Alone: The Power of Friendship is a seven day barge journey on the rivers and canals in Belgium that includes 10 sessions with Mark exploring the gift and spirit of friendship. There will also be several delightful excursions click here for full details. A few spaces remain for this wonderful journey into the depths of friendship and the magnificent countryside, cities, and canals in Belgium. **Be sure to ask about the discount if you want to explore options!

June 27-29, 2025: This 3-day retreat with Mark dives into the great matter of Friendship at Omega in Rhinebeck, NY. Explore how friendship is indispensable to us, and the inevitable trials by which our bond is strengthened or broken, and how our friendships bring us back to life. For details or to register, click here.

July 18 - 20, 2025: You Don’t Have to Do It Alone: The Power of Friendship is a 3-day retreat at Siena Retreat Center in Racine, WI. For information and to register, click here.

Aug 22-24, 2025: The Fifth Season: Creativity in the Second Half of Life is a new retreat from Mark based on his upcoming book. This 3-day retreat at Mercy by the Sea in Madison, CT will celebrate the publication of his 27th book and look into the gifts and the rhythms of aging. Stay tuned for the details! Contact Mercy by the Sea for info.

September 7, 2025 | 11 am PT / 2 pm ET: Banyen Books & Music FREE book event Mark Nepo in Conversation with Joel Fotinos. Click here to register.

September 21, 2025 | 1 pm PT / 4 pm ET: Book Passage FREE event Mark Nepo in Conversation with Brooke Warner for The Fifth Season: Creativity in the Second Half of Life. Click here to register. 

2026

January 11, 18, 25, 2026: New Webinar!! The Fifth Season: Creativity in the Second Half of Life. Register now at live.marknepo.com.