Psalm 111 from from Earth Psalms by Angela Magara Praise to Creation. Gratitude flows out of my mouth to dance with Songs of the trees. This world overwhelms me with beauty, Here balance sings in my blood. All who have joy in pleasure love the Earth, all her folds, all her ridges, all the scars, … Read more
The Humpbacks by Mary Oliver There is, all around us, this country of original fire. You know what I mean. The sky, after all, stops at nothing, so something has to be holding our bodies in its rich and timeless stables or else we would fly away. Off Stellwagen off the Cape, the humpbacks rise. … Read more
Some nights I stay up until dawn, as the Moon does for the Sun. I have lived on the lip of insanity, waiting to know reasons knocking on a door. It opens. I’ve been knocking from the inside. ~ Rumi
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