Breathe in,... knowing we are truly blessed

While perusing my dear friend's blog, Martha Calderaro: writer, poet, roving pen, I came across her Poetry Friday entry with this poem which speaks to how i am feeling today. So I wanted to share. When she posted this poem she was in a place of unease or as she put it "feeling angst or sadness over a difficult decision." She also noted, "I appreciate its (the poem's) reminder of the connectedness of all. Perhaps the right answer is beyond our knowing, or that we are just a part of it?" Not to 'steal' her entire blog but she is the writer and has a way with words.

So as we head into this wondrous & magical, yet at time stressful, next few days i offer you this poem. I hope that these words may help us all to remember to breathe ~

" ...breathe, knowing We are truly blessed..."

Eagle Poem

by Joy Harjo

To pray you open your whole self
To sky, to earth, to sun, to moon
To one whole voice that is you.
And know there is more
That you can’t see, can’t hear;
Can’t know except in moments
Steadly growing, and in languages
That aren’t always sound but other
Circles of motion.
Like eagle that Sunday morning
Over Salt River. Circled in blue sky
In wind, swept our hearts clean
With sacred wings.
We see you, see ourselves and know
That we must take the utmost care
And kindness in all things.
Breathe in, knowing we are made of
All this, and breathe, knowing
We are truly blessed because we
Were born, and die soon within a
True circle of motion,
Like eagle rounding out the morning
Inside us.
We pray that it will be done
In beauty.
In beauty.

So enjoy these holiday days!!! Be blessed and breathe in!!
Peace to all and all a good night!!

poetry friday

this week I found the book 100 essential modern poems by women, edited by Joseph Parisi and Kathleen Welton at my local library. In this volume besides the 100 poems there are small biographies of each of the 49 women poets which I found as interesting to read as the poems!! while leafing through the pages of this wonderful find I came across this poem by May Swenson which i thought i'd share today. Along with this poem I have posted some of the photos that I took while in Portland, OR when my friend and i made the bread dresses.

Neither wanting more
by May Swenson

To lie with you
in a field of grass
to lie there forever
and let time pass

Touching lightly
shoulder and thigh
Neither wanting more
Neither asking why

To have your whole
cool body's length
along my own
to know the strength
of a secret tide
of longing seep
into our veins
go deep...deep

Dissolving flesh
and melting bone
Oh, to lie with you
alone

To feel your breast
rise with my sigh
To hold you mirrored
in my eye

Neither wanting more
Neither asking why

~ peace

Poetry Friday

I have moved my weekly poetry posts to Friday to be part of "Poetry Friday" at the suggestion of my dear friend & awesome writer ~ Martha Calderaro. I am still trying to get an idea of what exactly poetry Friday is, however I do know many writers and poets post poetry on Friday and one of them 'hosts'. I also know i have discovered many a wonderful poem surfing around on Friday, so here is my poem for this week ~ one of my favorites by William Carlos Williams

The Red Wheelbarrow

so much depends

upon

a red wheel

barrow

glazed with rain

water

beside the white
chicken

I was first introduced to this poem in an illustration class eons ago ~ the teacher gave us this poem to illustrate. As the images exploded before my eyes the lines settled into my mind, for me to return to many times. Then recently I discovered this beautiful picture book about William Carlos Williams' life ~ A River Of Words the story of William Carlos Williams written by Jen Bryant & illustrated by Melissa Sweet. The illustrations and design of this book blew me away - I think it is a true treasure that I highly recommend you seek out and enjoy ~ the story of a passion for poetry, the wonderful poems and the fantastic illustrations!!!

peace