A Poem

  

On Imbolc

In two lined hands the bowl is held

water shifts inside

trickles leave marks along the side of a blue bowl

The hands are steady,

practiced, and pulse

with healing,

with grace

The hands are ageless

and move with a sureness

that brings comfort

that brings understanding

Great Bridgid

of the fire and the well

I offer you a restless mind, a full heart,

and a body seeking health

I ask for your blessing

I ask for your peace

Fair November

What a stunning month November was this year.  The thing about my birth month is that most people find it wet, cold and depressing.  Which I try not to take personally really.  I mean, there is little I can do to redeem it for anyone...it is what it is.  Except when it is not.  Like this year when it was sunny almost every afternoon and that sun streams down like a gift to those of us that are usually huddling under umbrellas and feeling pale and gloomy by mid month.  The above photo is of two bald eagles on the edge of the Harrison river.  This was their moment to feed on the salmon as they return to lay their eggs and die in the process.  Such a fascinating life cycle and such a delicate balance that we were privileged to witness this year. 

On the right in the above photo lies the Harrison Hot Springs Resort & Spa where we luxuriated in the healing waters for a lovely weekend.  It was the highlight of the month for me.  So relaxing after a busy month of soccer games, gatherings, school, cleaning...you get the picture. A mini vacation it was and a grateful person am I.

And just cause I want to share a lovely poem I found about November that gives it a nice sentiment rather than the gloomy one that is often associated with the 11th month.

November comes

and November goes,

with the last red berries

and the first white snows.

with night coming early, 

and dawn coming late,

and ice in a bucket, 

and frost by the gate.

the fires burn

and the kettles sing,

and earth sinks to rest

until next spring.

-Clyde Watson

Poem of the Month: Vanquish

A little poem as therapy (for myself) this month.

Vanquish

Stand and face the fear

you stand for your truth

something that could never stay inside

indefinitely 

it would fester, eating caverns in your gut

twisting your face into a scowl

making your limbs weak from lack of use

making you shake with impatient hands

take heart from your lessons

take love from you ancestors

make one small step and then another

do not seek approval or even acceptance

rejection is as real as praise

your offering must just be that

a piece of your soul

made manifest in cloth, in words, in song

lay it down and back away

vanquish doubt

be grateful for having the chance to create

Poem of the Month: Nuance

Nuance

Shadows are there 

fallen, strewn, cast about

this path is not smooth

this path twists

back and forth

your way is not clear through

this path brings thorns

blood dripping a trail behind

one drop for each test endured

ahead is somewhat mottled 

nuances of colour

grey upon shades of grey

stars shine above you

the earth firm below

this path is yours

but you are not alone

this path brings rest and sustenance

this path takes courage

but rewards with truth

simple as it is complex

bringing strength of heart

Poem of the Month: comfort

One of my dearest and most wonderful friends is going through some serious stuff.  Heart wrenching, heavy and so, so hard.  As a friend support is all I have, love and time and positive energy.  I wanted to send these to you, may they give you some comfort or help in any hard moments to come.

My Help is in the Mountain

by Nancy Wood

My help is in the mountain

Where I take myself to heal

The earthly wounds 

That people give to me.

I find a rock with sun on it

And a stream where the water runs gentle

And the trees which one by one give me company.

So must I stay for a long time

Until I have grown from the rock

And the stream is running through me

And I cannot tell myself from one tall tree.

Then I know that nothing touches me

Nor makes me run away.

My help is in the mountain

That I take away with me.

Earth Cure Me

by Nancy Wood

Earth cure me.  Earth receive my woe.  Rock strengthen me.

Rock receive my weakness.  Rain wash my sadness away.

Rain receive my doubt.  Sun make sweet my song.

Sun receive the anger from my heart.

Poem of the Month: October

All We Need

by Steve Turner

Food in our bellies

Hats on our heads

Water to quench us

Sheets on our beds

Teachers to teach us

Shoes on our feet

Trousers and T-shirts

Shelter and heat.

Someone to love us

Someone to love

Hope for the future

Light from above

From this anthology of poetry written for children.  Happy Thanksgiving. 

as you're leaving...

Tomorrow one of my best friends in the world leaves on a journey to pursue his passion.  I am so proud of him for taking this huge leap of faith and for taking his life into his hands.  Please follow his journey across Canada to perform songs from his album.  The story that will result is sure to be entertaining.  Blessings on the journey Matt & Dylan.

Matthew McCully's Blog

Song of the Open Road

by Walt Witman

AFOOT and light-hearted I take to the open road,
Healthy, free, the world before me,
The long brown path before me leading wherever I choose.

Henceforth I ask not good-fortune, I myself am good-fortune,
Henceforth I whimper no more, postpone no more, need nothing,
Done with indoor complaints, libraries, querulous criticisms,
Strong and content I travel the open road.

The earth, that is sufficient,
I do not want the constellations any nearer,
I know they are very well where they are,
I know they suffice for those who belong to them.

(Still here I carry my old delicious burdens,
I carry them, men and women, I carry them with me wherever
I go,
I swear it is impossible for me to get rid of them,
I am fill'd with them, and I will fill them in return.)

...The earth expanding right hand and left hand,
The picture alive, every part in its best light,
The music falling in where it is wanted, and stopping where it is
not wanted,
The cheerful voice of the public road, the gay fresh sentiment of
the road...

an excerpt. full poem can be found here