Ball of energy
and life,
You swim through the ether
My heart, my mind
plays its part
in the whole scheme
of the cosmos
whole and apart
Tag: earth
Rest big or small
a cozy space
to breathe
a lavender-scented mask
luxuries but not necessary
I am grateful for this space
this cozy place to rest
I am the author of my story
The captain of my ship
I steer toward calm waters
I hold steady during the storms
They come and go
as is life’s journey
rest is my anchor
rest is my healer
So long ago I read the quote,
"I am my own healer"
Little did I know it would be
many years – decades –
before that intention became my reality
I choose rest
Today it is my birthright
to heal and feel
I am one with the earth
Green blankets the earth
sweet blades of gentle grass
like hair brushing the bottoms of my feet
shades of green flood my vision:
Pines, evergreen, maple, shrub, dogwood
The seasons move me to the page
to write, to poetry
The ink scratches across
lined paper like a well-manicured lawn
now dented and clumped from small children’s feet
playing in the garden
rejoicing in the sun
as carefree as can be
The neighbors’ dogs bellow and bark
the calm serene lazy green scene
is shattered with shrill and boom
oh, how I used to curse the dogs
and their loud incessant pitch
They too are creatures of the earth
and innocent of their own plight and cries
for play and attention
I take the cue and turn inward
to play on the page with a small smile
on my lips -- no sour or annoyance today
for Green blankets the earth
and I am a child of nature.
To Walk in this world
We share the earth
its riches and gifts
the very air we breath
all for the taking
Not for the hoarding
the I, me, mine
has gotten us to this
pinpoint in time
to really make a shift
in our thinking, in our eating,
in our hearts and words
To walk in this world
we must become the stewards
to respect and replenish
Earth’s many gifts
The future depends on us
though we may not see what
lies ahead
There is power and empowerment
There is sorrow and horrors
like on this blood red ground,
ashes and cinders
where homes, schools and businesses
once stood proud
ready to serve, learn and relax
The fire burned out of control
like when we fire back
unspoken utterly ruthless
gutting thoughts
It’s hard to take those words back
But this too is a turning point
We can ask for forgiveness
deeply apologetically
And take the lessons gained
Lessons learned forward
to our future encounters
our future endeavors
To walk in this world
we must become worldly
not shy, timid or stretched
too thin with productivity
over commitment
we must dig deep and fill our well
so that there is an overflow
of good enough
of a shared right to the Earth’s gifts
Our own gift of peace can turn the tide
Try it. To walk in this world
say hi to a neighbor or heck
even a stranger
If the world feels unfriendly,
be the friend you wish to keep
If you get shut down or ignored,
it’s all part of the warming-up process
our warm hearts and hands
hold you and your beloveds.
Come take a walk with me.
Imbolc
These dark days of winter
no snow or ice
just a grayness
hung low from the sky.
We all want to be free
free from pain
free from hurt
thoughts, mind
body still.
Yet I go outdoors
Praying for the sun rays.
I won’t squint or complain
This time, I promise.
Your rays are not harsh
But a welcome home
Into your warm embrace
We all long to be.
Gray sky
Gray concrete
The houses look dim
The trees stark black.
I can see the cardinals
seeking shelter in the tree.
Where do they sleep at night?
Do they nest or hide in a stronghold
Sheltered from the cold
The gray, the unending hard ground?
The body hardens against the harsh reality
and all I want to do is soften in that warm embrace.
Lead me by the hand
Yours warming my cold fingers
Gloves don’t keep out the cold.
I saw a glimpse of the sun
and I went outside to seek its wisdom
to bask in its glory
to soak up some rays.
The biting wind greeted me.
My strong legs carried me on
Hoping my body would soon warm up.
Stride after stride
We all want to be free
free from pain
free from hurt
free from isolation and a cold shoulder.
A warm smile greets me like a warm mug of tea
The whole room softens in your glow
The light of Imbolc, another of nature’s cues
The darkness is not a permanent state
The sun doesn’t always shine
It doesn’t have to rain or snow on a cold, gray day.
My emerald heart glows in your embrace
To walk upon the body of Earth.
Summer past
The last warm weather of summer has passed. It’s in the rearview mirror and it’s slowly disappearing behind the horizon as we march toward November. Ever longer nights, the colors once so bright will soon fade too. It’s a natural thing and a reminder that all is well. Even if I have to let go or hold on til the bitter end. The natural order says so and I am just a lucky-enough player on the field to notice. I grow. I shine. I let go. And I can pick up the broken pieces if I want to. Gather what I need. Or just surrender, relax, be quiet like the snow blanketing the earth. It’s a natural thing. And I am a part of nature. And so it is.
The coolness of night
The coolness of night Blankets the earth while I slumber. It sparkles with life When it bathes in the morning light. How did it get there? Where dreamers dream It took a rest Leaving only its cool mist As evidence in the morning. Soon evaporated and vanished. A distant memory On the tip of your tongue. Unsure if it was real Or just a dream.
Each day is a gift (II)
The earth is waking up. The ground softens And looks more bright. Can I soften too? Each day is a gift. This body, this life. It’s more than just to merely survive. The season, The challenges Come and go. This body, Like this earth, Is a gift. It provides more than The instruments to just Survive and get by. As the ground softens, The many shades of green Surround my senses. In delight and insight, Growth, Rebirth. I can gift myself With that same delight.
In the Whole Scheme of the Cosmos
As we head toward the Equinox, The sun greets me a little later each passing day. I imagine the sun trying to peek over the horizon. The earth spins and rotates And has its own cycles and rhythms. We try to make sense of it all And plan our lives around the earth. It takes a whole year for the earth to cycle the sun. So, on this day, the earth was exactly on this particular orbit. That’s how the planets and stars align At those rare times that astronomers keep track of. There’s always something going on in the sky, Even the minute. It’s all fascinating And often goes unnoticed. When we’re so self-absorbed in our own lives, Surviving, working, Our issues and problems feel so monumental. But when you look up at the sky, Those issues and problems somehow feel smaller In the whole scheme of the cosmos.
Outside the Door
The soft earth awakens. Fresh dewdrops cling To the blades of grass, To my picnic table, To the windows of my car. Outside the Door The sun has begun Its ascent above the skyline. And its rays begin To splay upon the horizon. In the beginning, Where did man lie down his head each night? Did the morning dew greet him Each sunrise as he awoke? Did he sleep under the stars, In the open air, Or did he seek shelter most nights? The earth is soft and lush. Outside the Door The heat of the summer Has already begun to take ahold. The breeze is my reprieve. The birds are my companion. As we share a moment In the early dawn Before the sunrays get too bright And I, too, must take shelter From the blazing sun.
Healing Insights 