Brighter Days

 -------Brighter Days-------

On the springtime side 

of the winter solstice

As daylight 

begins 

to lengthen

I settle in 

to a trust in knowing

No matter how dark 

the world 

might get

A revolution 

is underway

Turning the earth 

our minds 

toward better

And brighter 

days to come.

-------

Ceasefire

 -------Ceasefire-------

A tree is held

by roots to place

As home

is so

for people.

Not a house

but home

The way one's soul

becomes 

the earth in season.

The joyful green

of everspring

The quiet

and honest

winter.

There is not

much more

that we each need

Than

to a place

belong.

-------

Trust

 -------Trust-------

Darkness

these days

comes early

With cold and wind

comes often

Though as 

I learn 

to love myself

I find 

a warmth within.

-------

Tribute

 -------Tribute-------

Leaf sounds 

Like flags 

on wind 

But different

Unattached 

to any nation,

Of this land,

An anthem 

that all can follow.

-------

Healing

 -------Healing-------

Something happens

when I dig 

by hand

A garden

that brings me closer

With the place

the land

Hearts beat

together

In oneness

once 

again.

-------

Gardens

 -------Gardens-------

The cold wind 

hasn't stopped now 

For days 

here 

on end

Howling patience 

through the leafless trees

"There is work 

to do 

inside today"

For this heart and mind 

need care as much

As the garden 

I would 

be tending.

-------

Sacred

 -------Sacred-------

When doubt comes up

And the walls 

close in

Remind yourself,

"I am 

a child of this world

And this world is full of magic

And beautiful,

beautiful things."

-------

At Once

 -------At Once-------

Frost 

in the valley

and green on top

The changing 

of seasons

reflects a notion

We too 

are many things

infinite moments

Here 

now

at once.

-------

Gold from Green

 -------Gold from Green-------

The truth 

that tends 

my trust in us 

Is that 

which turns the autumn

To gold 

from green

the bond between

This Earth

and all her children.

-------

These Hills

 -------These Hills-------

The hills 

are lightened 

by a forest of color

As if 

to remind us

It need 

not be

That difference divides 

but helps us see 

The beauty 

in each

and every being.

-------

Love Work

 -------Love Work-------

Sometimes

 a hopelessness 

overwhelms me

And sometimes 

I remember

The seeds I tend 

in this 

small garden

Have roots

and roots connect

Through time and space

the dreamers 

and dreams

Of a world 

where all are needed,

And cared for,

seen

and safe.

-------

Upon Each Other

-------Upon Each Other-------

Humility 

has a way 

of making

Heavy things 

feel lighter

As if the world

did not rest

on us

But we

upon each other.

-------

Changes in Autumn

 -------Changes in Autumn-------

Sometimes

The darker getting

of the days

Brings about

Our brightest 

colors.

-------

Sweaters

 -------Sweaters-------

Quiet

like

the Burdock blue

Becomes a burr

and sticks to you

Some carry 

seeds

unknowing.

So check your pockets,

your sweater sleeves

For that

precious

gift

To this world

we leave.

-------

Every Autumn

 -------Every Autumn-------

Every Autumn

I am reminded

That aging

is changing

To gold 

and red

from green

Not getting

old

But a time

to gather

The harvest

we planted 

from seed.

-------

Patience

 -------Patience-------

A rain-

soaked 

Autumn

And hay 

left standing in the field

Uncut 

because 

to tread might spoil

The harvest 

for years to come.

We are the land.

As times 

like these

Invite us

to remember.

-------

Gifts II

 -------Gifts II-------

I am moved by vines

how they bridge 

and climb

The breadth 

of any hollow

Like a peace of mind

a trust 

to follow

The gifts 

we each are given.

-------

The Song of Solidarity

 -------The Song of Solidarity-------

Witchgrass roots 

to silt 

loose soil 

Like a trusting

holds to me

In the song 

that sings 

the flowers open

Free together,

together free.

-------

All At Once

 -------All At Once-------

On the edge 

of a storm

Touched by sunlight 

and the falling 

rain

All at once

The joy 

and struggle

Of being human 

in weather 

form.

-------

Trust

 -------Trust-------

It isn't a date 

that starts the autumn

But a shift 

among the living,

Breathing 

world

That holds 

a rhythm

My heart

will always follow.

-------

Well Connected

 -------Well Connected-------

Under 

the cover 

of rain clouds

My shadow 

disappears

One with the trees

and the river 

rising

Bone-drenched,

I'm gone.

-------

Forgiving

   -------Forgiving-------

There is a quality 

to contentment

I feel

when overcome

By thankfulness

Like a petal 

falling

Soft

upon the earth.

-------

Bowing

 -------Bowing-------

Garlic scapes 

like a group 

of swans 

Curl 

their necks 

in the garden 

Heads white, 

beaked 

and bowing 

As if 

to the miracle 

that makes us different 

And

so very much 

the same.

-------

Morning Dew

 -------Morning Dew-------

Heavy as 

the air 

comes down

A starless 

night 

in summer

You lay awake,

I cannot sleep,

we wait to feel that whisper,

That breath 

that brings

the morning dew

Breathes soft and cool

upon us 

too.

-------

Truce

-------Truce-------

A day long battle 

with a tree stump

Uprooted 

and exhausted

We both 

together sat

Neither defeated

neither triumphant

But for a 

moment

Through breath 

and blood exchanged

We were one.

-------

Silhouette

 -------Silhouette-------

The clouds 

move

and our shadows reappear

Backlit,

silhouette

The mountains,

trees 

and I

Embraced

by the light of the sun.

-------

Sunflower

-------Sunflower-------

When resentment threatens

like storm clouds 

to the west

I turn to face

and take shelter in the light

Choosing grace

over 

agitation

As the thunder 

and angst pass through.

-------

Loading Brush

 -------Loading Brush-------

Like the branches 

of a plum tree

Cut and dragged

Are held 

together 

by their thorns

Some parts 

of me

I wished were different

I am growing 

to see

help keep me whole.

-------

Home in the Roses

 -------Home in the Roses-------

In the air

the soul food 

smell

Of locust 

bloom

and roses

Satiates 

some deep

down hunger

I have

for being

home.

-------

Red Sun

 -------Red Sun-------

A red sunrise

with fires

to the north

Far away

but too so near

As if 

to affirm

some deep connection

Transcending 

walls and borders.

-------

Past and Making

 -------Past and Making-------

Winter rye

in early summer

Green and soft

and still yet golden

Like the memory

Past

and making

Walking barefoot

in a field.

-------

Grace

-------Grace-------

At times 

when the world 

all feels too much

Like beauty

has been took 

away

There are lilacs in bloom

Or 

some 

iteration

Of gracefulness

to bring 

us home.

-------

Joy I Am

-------Joy I Am-------

 

Aspen leaves

and Osprey 

wings

 

Both have their way on wind

 

That moves

me too

 

To resurrect

 

The joy

I am

within.

 

-------

Ocean

 

-------Ocean-------

 

The grass the height 

of dandelion

 

Dark green 

among 

the gold

 

Too young to cut 

for hay 

so best

 

To rest 

and watch 

the wind like waves

 

Upon 

this pasture ocean.

 

-------

 

Rejoice

 

-------Rejoice-------

 

A break in the rain

and the songs 

return

 

Time enough 

for Dandelion

 

To kick up 

their heels

with the Sun.

 

-------

To the Water

 

-------To the Water-------

 

In the dusk 

approaching

 

The peepers sing

 

An ode 

to the water

 

An ode to spring.

 

-------

Very Well

 

-------Very Well-------

 

It had never

occurred 

to me

 

Before the hoe 

found my hands

 

That the weeds 

of life 

need not take over

 

But when tended to

not cussed or avoided

 

Can very well

become 

like friends.

 

-------