Many people fail to understand the magic of poetry. Perhaps it was a run-in with some dull English teacher in middle school; or forced marches through obscure parts of Dante and Whittier, with the emphasis on rote memorization, not the passion and meaning of the words. But as most shamans, priestesses, bards, Kahunas, Druids, and … Read more
Let us never lose sight of the fact that we are surrounded by wonders. Many of them have yet to be found, as the recent accidental discovery of this crystal cave in Mexico reveals. “Mexico’s Cave of Crystals stunned geologists when it was first discovered in 2000. The underground chamber contains some of the largest … Read more
Every so often, I post this essay as a reminder … Well, I don’t know about you, but I need it right now. As artists, we pledge to shine in our own unique way, no matter what. But my heart is torn to bits over the agonies in Haiti. And I am teetering on the … Read more
The Goddess Who Created This Passing World by Alice Notley from Selected Poems (Talisman House © 1993) The Goddess who created this passing world Said Let there be lightbulbs & liquefaction Life spilled out onto the street, colors whirled Cars & the variously shod feet were born And the past & future & I born … Read more
To Autumn by William Blake O Autumn, Laden with fruit, and stain’d With the blood of the grape, pass not, but sit Beneath my shady roof; there thou may’st rest, And tune thy jolly voice to my fresh pipe, And all the daughters of the year shall dance! Sing now the lusty song of fruits … Read more
Will We Open the Heavens By Robin Williamson Let me be where love is born to sail upon a scallop shell the way no hair of a thought is disturbed and the sight is still as moonlight clasps each leaf of a tree of dust until it knows it is alive and lives to be … Read more
PRAISE SONG by Barbara Crooker from Radiance Praise the light of late November, the thin sunlight that goes deep in the bones. Praise the crows chattering in the oak trees; though they are clothed in night, they do not despair. Praise what little there’s left: the small boats of milkweed pods, husks, hulls, shells, the … Read more
Leonids Over Us by Marge Piercy The sky is streaked with them burning hole in black space — like fireworks, someone says all friendly in the dark chill of Newcomb Hollow in November, friends known only by voices. We lie on the cold sand and it embraces us, this beach where locals never go in … Read more
As you may know, on weekends, I post words and wisdom from others, including videos, essays, poetry, and opinions of note. Today, inspired by the exquisite blog of Cate Kerr, I offer this excerpt from the recently deceased John Daido Loori, one of the first American Zen masters. He was founder of the Zen Mountain … Read more
Once more the liberal year laughs out O’er richer stores than gems or gold: Once more with harvest song and shout Is nature’s boldest triumph told. — John Greenleaf Whittier Today is the Equinox, taken from the Latin for “equal night.” It is the Autumnal equinox in the northern hemisphere, and the Spring equinox below … Read more