The Pull Between Us

-------The Pull Between Us-------

If the fields before you seem barren, 

forgive them

and look deeper into the eyes

of their barrenness.

See there, 

how the pull 

between Earth 

and the heavens

Has left its pattern in the snow;

the circles

and soft, 

uneven lines,

That lead, 

like footsteps,

back 

to the beautiful forest 

Inside 

you.

-------

These Days

-------These Days-------

These days

Of quiet 

and the wind

of fireside and darkness

Between 

the winter layers

I can hear the World turning

and see everywhere

inside 

everyone

The little seed 

beginning to unfold

Like a child

of the great forest

becoming

Lifting its wings to the light.

-------

The Longest Night

-------The Longest Night-------

There are no edges to a circle.

No end 

or beginning.

So forgive me, please,

if my silence 

offends you.

But the longest night has come,

conveying Spring

and all the things

I could 

ever wish 

to say.

-------

Our Becoming

-------Our Becoming-------

Do not relieve yourself from Death's company.

For its presence, Little Seed,

is our becoming.

The shape 

of life 

is a perfect circle,

Hollow 

in the middle

and never-ending.

Let us forgive our leaves to the Earth,

to rest 

and rise again from their decay.

-------

This Grief

-------This Grief-------

I long 

for the courage 

to hold this grief.

To lift it 

above the walls 

of my inheritance.

Above the sadness 

which, 

for generations, 

Has grown

unattended 

into shame.

I long 

to listen,

and look 

Into the eyes

of the Great Story 

that is unfolding,

Leaf by leaf

through the cracks 

in the Earth.

-------

One Love (In Solidarity)

-------One Love (In Solidarity)-------

To those who convey the story

there are no 

surprises.

Conquest has taken 

many forms

across the generations.

Its cold, lonely eyes

always cutting lines

straight ahead through time,

Straight through

people 

and the land.

But, so too

the Warriors 

remain.

The children skipping stones

along the still 

and infinite waters.

We stand here

together

in circles,

In this moment 

with all our relations

reaching outwards

From that one, 

untouchable 

center.

And we speak 

in the language

that is Love,

So that 

everyone

can hear.

-------

Come into Being

-------Come into Being-------

Moonlit

on the edge 

of Autumn,

I let go my branch and fall

into the emptiness of these

dying hills.

For a thousand feet I wander.

Floating

back and forth,

Between the comforts of 

routine

and the longing to be undone.

Until, once again, I reach the ground. 

Where Winter forgives us all 

of our possession,

And we come 

into being whole,

into earth

And the immeasurable stillness

that holds the light

til Spring.

-------

The Hours

-------The Hours-------

If we woke with the Sun

and fell with it behind the mountain

would we need the hours?

Time is lost 

only to those 

who fear it changing,

But like a river,

never ending

for those in love.

We have turned

gold

with the seasons

And died

a thousand times

already.

So be

patient,

Little Seed.

Winter is coming

and then

the Spring.

-------

Seeds

-------Seeds-------

Violent storms may come 

and empty our branches 

before Winter can,

but the forest will keep growing.

The prairie will swallow 

the cold steel that has cut her,

and through cracks in the city

young, green leaves will emerge in Spring.

For the prayer of a thousand seasons

has left its seeds in the Earth,

and buried deep within those

who protect it.

-------

Fell to the Ground

-------Fell to the Ground-------

It's not what you said that made me smile,

but the way the light

in your eyes danced

when you spoke.

I had forgotten what honesty looked like,

how it sounded.

And then the forest turned gold

and dropped its leaves and 

I, too, forgave to memory,

to this Great Turning of the seasons,

and fell to the ground

laughing.

-------

Cradled By Mountains

-------Cradled By Mountains-------

Cradled by mountains,

morning lifts the cold and darkness 

from the valley.

A breath of golden light,

leaving us without words.

Without dreams.

To wake

quietly

with the Earth.

-------

Revolutions

-------Revolutions-------

Dig in your heels

and worry all you like

but the world is going to keep turning,

Emptying your branches clean

so the Light gets in

and young buds can grow.

Come, old man,

come to where your body 

meets the Earth

and listen, to the children playing,

catching the leaves

as they fall.

-------

From Out the Stillness

-------From Out the Stillness-------

The wind

takes a rest

on a warm day in Autumn,

And the black flies return

as if something sweet and holy I had forgotten

was hiding beneath my skin. 

On the street, a woman dressed in rags

Collects (Draws) small change 

from souls that long to sit beside her.

In all directions,

from out this stillness

awakes a golden memory

Of the blood

that is shared

between us.

-------

So I Listen

-------So I Listen-------

The cool, morning air lifts between us,

like mist on water

pulling the edge-less and unpronounced

through our lips.

I know no words,

Dear Earth,

that can express my thanks

like silence.

So I listen.

And I breath

deep, wonderful breaths

with you,

As the Autumn

turns

these mountains

red.

-------

Bring it Outside

-------Bring it Outside-------

Old songs 

taken by fire

are rising now from its ashes.

Come, Dear Heart, 

come to the front steps 

with your sadness and your pain.

Let this lonely world look up and

see in you, the Friend.

Grief alone is violent and loud.

Bring it outside 

and the wind 

will make music through its leaves.

Along some 

   ancient 

      thread

Mother Earth is spinning,

around and around,

turning us golden in the light.

-------

Visions of Standing Rock

------- Visions of Standing Rock -------

Out beyond this window

a thin red cloud

drifts slowly passed the moon.

Once, 

we too,

lived like that:

Illuminated,

floating,

unbecoming with grace.

But judgement (and conquest) has made 

the spirit heavy,

and now we fight for breath.

This body we hold is water 

and air and earth 

reflecting light.

With it we rise

and become the cloud 

again.

-------

Climbing Trees

-------Climbing Trees-------

As a child

you would climb trees

with the fierceness and curiosity

of a young bear.

But then someone told you

that the ground was made for people

and those moments of being held

had passed.

The world is filled with ideas, Little Bear.

Do not let this

one

keep you from climbing.

Lift your being

to the height of tall mountains,

and the dawn will touch

that golden light inside you.

-------

The Winds

-------The Winds-------

When the strong wind comes 

and scatters

all the things 

we have been holding

Lift your vision to the trees,

to the branches

who once, too

held golden leaves

And see, like it was 

the first time,

the empty forest

filling with light.

-------