Simple Magic – A haiku

stay in dialog,
resisting tug to withdraw
or to power-play

patience wins the war,
risk raises its daring head
above the foxhole

conciliation,
as Mother Apology,
bravely lifts her veil

me-against-you fades,
us-against-it emerges,
“we” supersedes “I”

both science and art,
mediation’s a life-skill
… it's simple magic

“Simple Magic” was the original working title of the first edition (1988) of my book Managing Differences, which remains the sourcebook for courses offered by Mediation Training Institute at Eckerd College (mediationworks.com).

                       

Daniel Dana

Holding the Ph.D. in psychology, Dan Dana served for several years as a professor of organizational behavior at the University of Hartford (Connecticut) Graduate School of Business, and has held faculty appointments at Syracuse University and several other institutions. (A former student once called him "Doctor Conflict," and the moniker stuck!) Dan… MORE >