For the last five or six years (I am losing track), I have joined the global poetry slam in honor of Brigid, Goddess of Poetry, Healing, and Art. The slam includes, not only poetry praises to our beloved Goddess, but offerings of poetry of all kinds. As it happens, just yesterday, Poland’s Nobel Laureate Poet, … Read more
The Gardener of Eden from Packing Up for Paradise: Selected Poems 1946-1996 by James Broughton (1913-1999) I am the old dreamer who never sleeps I am timekeeper of the timeless dance I preserve the long rhythms of the earth and fertilize the rounds of desire In my evergreen arboretum I raise flowering hopes for the … Read more
Poem (the spirit likes to dress up) by Mary Oliver The spirit likes to dress up like this: ten fingers, ten toes, shoulders, and all the rest at night in the black branches, in the morning in the blue branches of the world. It could float, of course, but would rather plumb rough matter. Airy … Read more
As we approach the longest Solstice Night, the Mother Night, we give thanks and bless all that is dark. We heal with our intention “darkness” from its racial wounds and fear spells, and we give honor and praise to the Dark Mother, the Mother of us all. ~ B. A Prayer for Endarkenment by Dr. … Read more
Manifesto: The Mad Farmer Liberation Front by Wendell Berry (1934 – ) Love the quick profit, the annual raise, vacation with pay. Want more of everything ready-made. Be afraid to know your neighbors and to die. And you will have a window in your head. Not even your future will be a mystery any more. … Read more
Sonnets to Orpheus, Part Two, XXIX Rainer Maria Rilke (from In Praise of Mortality, translated and edited by Anita Barrows and Joanna Macy) Quiet friend who has come so far, feel how your breathing makes more space around you. Let this darkness be a bell tower and you the bell. As you ring, what batters … Read more
Alone by Maya Angelou From Oh Pray My Wings Are Gonna Fit Me Well by Maya Angelou. Copyright © 1975 by Maya Angelou. Lying, thinking Last night How to find my soul a home Where water is not thirsty And bread loaf is not stone I came up with one thing And I don’t believe … Read more
Evening Rainer Maria Rilke The sky puts on the darkening blue coat held for it by a row of ancient trees; you watch: and the lands grow distant in your sight, one journeying to heaven, one that falls; and leave you, not at home in either one, not quite so still and dark as the … Read more
Psalm 49 From Earth Psalms, by Angela Magara Listen and hear, hear and listen, All people, all people of the world. All the rich, all the poor, All those at war, and those who walk in peace. A message I have, a song to sing at my harp. All wealth gathered in a heap cannot … Read more