holiday blues

my grown children
came and went
the house
was filled
with laughter
with activity

so many memories
to add to those
of the past

but each year
it seems
they become
more poignant
more precious

I do not let them know
I weep
when they leave

the house sighs
too

I am coming

I am coming,
I am coming to water's edge
at last we will meet
perhaps exchange thoughts

I will stay near
as near I as I can
I will listen
to the sounds
water makes
in the repeated fashion
I love

I never thought
this encounter
would occur
so near the place
where I saw the faces

in anguish and despair
calling out for
fresh water
despite the fact
so much salty water
was around
not soaking in the ground

but standing everywhere
taking the brunt
of human anger
for deeds
that should not
be blamed on
an element

that only goes where
it naturally should
if it could....

ocean current of thought

the collective consciousness
a strong ocean current

listening in
hear the babbling

the power of thought
clouded with confusion
and fear

put something in the stream
to negate the confusion

and fear
will disappear

fear not the silence, know thyself

silence within, without
no pressure to be
anything

when silence comes

a peace settles
in my soul
my body

I am present
with who I am

I accept the wisdom
that is buried
deep within

I visit this place often
and the rush of life
slows

to let me know
I am alive

It is what it is

Hands outstretched
for water

that priceless element
of Mother Earth

faces filled
with despair
lips cracked with
thirst

asking for water

we see water's power
we have growing respect
for this ancient element

we talk of nothing else

watching its power
invade our
meager attempts
to contain it

it doesn't try to humble us
but succeeds anyway

putting us in our
place

which needs to be
changed

if humankind
wants to live along side
this magnificent
intricate,
can't-live-without-it
substance called
w
a
t
e
r

we have a god

we have a god
not spelled with
a captial "G"

we have a god
spelled o i l

we pay homage
with our lives

we spare nothing
to accumulate more

we panic when we
fear there's not
enough

we don't care the
source
as long as
we don't go
without

the visionaries
speak of using less
to save our future
from being filled

with constant thoughts
of how and where
we can get more
than our share

of the total that
should be used
by all on earth

we care little about this
as long as we
can make and take
ours vehicles
our trips

some would say
the sacrifice
is being made
in human cost
in desert lands

wake up, O people
this god
demands much

my prayer for water

if water is pure
then human bodies
will reap the benefits

when water is defiled
humankind is defiled

I pray without ceasing
that water
will find health


and the beautiful
molecular structures
made as a result
of human love

will once again
be with us

Drumming for the good of all

a new drumming circle
four men and four women
balanced

our intent was to drum for health
and well-being of people
strangers to most of us

the drumming began
each listening to the beat
adding our own rhythms

to the ebb and flow of vibrations
felt through the skins
of our drums

we lose ourselves to
become one in sound
adding our thoughts
to the collective consciousness

as the drumming subsides
we feel the intense
energy in the room
we revel in its power

we are thankful we can
drum with like minded
people
who know
the power

of the drum

I would say...

I would say that human behavior has caused water to destroy. I would say that the "collective consciousness" of humankind and planet earth are intricately entwined in ways we are beginning to discover. Life responds to life. We respond to earth and she to us. She carries the burdens of human misery and human shortsightedness. We are not separate, but one.

A vision that includes humankind must also include our habitat or we will parish.

water hears

water lying stagnant
impure, defiled

human flesh
joined as one
with water
that left its
boundaries

we curse its name
shake our fists
in rage
at what water
has done

but those who
know water best
know
that when love
is spoken
water reacts

to make itself
intricate
and beautiful

human words
fill the air
with all that
is vile
and then
we wonder
w h y

water
responds with
distruction

hear what was said

what have you spoken
in the travisty of distruction

would we know your words
if we heard them

or have we ignored
for too long

not recognized the wisdom
in your actions

some would say you speak not
that only ancient peoples
believed these things

but I say, you have been
speaking and will continue
until those who hear

translate your actions
into words with meaning

I am so happy to be back (blogging and ......)

I have been gone what seems like a long time. During this absence I have been moving into my old, new home on Cross Street. The furniture is in place and the numerous odds and ends are finding their way too. I got a new computer and set it up today. It has all the bells and whistles. I know I will need assistance and training in its use.

As I am writing this, I hear my water fountain in the dining room. I sometimes can't believe that I am actually moved in. It has been a long process really beginning after my mother's funeral. But that's behind me and I look forward to a new year in my old, new house.

love song to earth

I love the way you look
when I see pictures
of you in space

you are so beautiful
and I feel such love for you
I can't explain this love
but it is very strong

I want to wrap my arms
around you
and hold you tight
I want you to feel
the bounty of my love

If I could, I would keep you
in my thoughts night and day
so that no part of you
wouldn't know this
profound feeling of kinship

As I sleep tonight I know
you will be there
in the morning
you have such love
for all the creatures who
inhabit you

some might think this love song
strange
but others would find it
comforting to know
that what they feel

is shared. . .

it speaks for itself 

in the words of Bob Dylan....

how many deaths will it take til he knows
that too many people have died
how many times must the cannon balls fly
before they are forever banned

the answer is blowing
the answer is blowing
the answer is blowing
in the wind

how many times can
a MAN turn his head
and pretend he just doesn't see

the answer, my friend
is b l o w i n g
the answer is
b l o w i n g i n t h e w i n d

and I would add.......

catch what's blowing
in the wind
write it on human hearts
so that lessons
are forever

remembered

not as fighting words
but as peace filled
sonnets to human

preservation

today I pack

I was right to do this
make this change
I have a feeling
many changes are in
s t o r e

Tuesday is moving day

Today I walked through my house recalling all the indecision I had over the past two years. Now that the decision has been made, and my house is getting closer to being completed, I can't imagine not making anything but this decision.

Carpet was installed last weekend and I am having the cable and newspaper changed to the new address so I guess that means it's really going to happen.

My home will reflect my love of earth and her creatures. There will be a water fountain just inside the front door. My daughter Elyse is calling the living room, the "Forest Room". We are going to use her pictures from trips she has taken other summers to decorate that room.

One of my favorite pictures is of ancient Cedar trees taken in Idaho. I remember walking along the pathway observing the absolute stillness and majesty of the Cedar forest. My friend, Gretchen, whom we visited in Idaho, also took us to see a Cedar tree that was around before the birth of Christ. I put my hand on the wood of its trunk and was in awe over its endurable spirit.

For the first time in my life, my home will truly reflect who I am and what is important to me. I wanted it to be a sanctuary. The whole experience for me has been one of insight and deep reflection. That is due to many things but mostly because of Tara, the special person who took my house and me on a journey. With gentle guiding hands, she transformed what was plain into something rich with color, mood and song.

Every house should be so fortunate.

it's 3:00 a.m. and I can't sleep

water calls my name
nudges my spirit
swirls me about
in imaginary play

I am no longer
separate
but in union
with millions
of drops
of water

air in my lungs
is not needed
as I submerge
with the motion of water
I dance
I twirl
I thrill
to be a part
of an ancient one

the reward 

today I watered my tomato plants...

I really enjoy watering my tomato plants. I bought them from the local hardware store. They appeared to be on their last legs. But I planted them anyway and watched them grow into hearty plants. I rejoiced when I began to see blossoms appear and, of course, hope these blossoms will turn to red fruit.

I enjoy standing with the hose pointed at what I imagine are thirsty roots. I think in my head how thankful they must be to have the shower of cool water dripping on their leaves, soaking into the ground, sinking beneath the soil. I also imagine the tomatoes that will eventually hang on the branches and how I will come to the plants anticipating my reward for all this care.

I remember other tomato plants in past years which always seem to thrive in this very spot in my garden. The soil has rested a bit for the last two years. When my mother died I had no desire to plant things. But when I saw those straggly plants....buy one get one free, I couldn't resist. Now....everyday I water, watch and wait for tomatoes and the return of things that celebrate the normal.