Epitaph

What would you like your epitaph be?

It was a typical night with typical friends drinking a typical amount of wine. Halloween around the corner, and we were swapping stories of friends who had died recently. More specifically, how they had died, and what we considered a "good death" to be.

Of course, one person has to say, "I hope I die while having sex!" Which we all agreed would suck for the partner of the deceased.

You won't be surprised to hear that I decided that I want to die while masturbating.

That way my epitaph can be,

She had a hand in it.

Messages from Seaglass

Once I met a wind swept man
Who constructed his days
and spent his nights in craft,
And the time betweens
Sifting the beaches
For bits of precious sea glass.

Milky white, palest aqua,
Sea green, and cobalt blues,
Burnished browns, occasional reds
And the rarest of violet hues.

These shards of the past
Once raw and jagged
Now polished and refined
He would into make jewelry
Creating a holder,
A reminder of the divine.

Solidly set in silver
Skillfully soldered
Edges worked intaglio-
Stars and moons,
Cut outs to reveal
The treasured inner glow.

How like our hearts...

What was once a whole vessel
To whatever elixir
Ambrosia in the moment
Containing the promise of eternity
Infinity in a bottle
Or so we took for granted.

Suddenly smashed and broken
Tumbled by turmoil
Tossed by tides of grief.
Scoured by remorse
Cleansed of regret
These fragments of relief.

Shrapnel of the soul
Now soft, eroded edges
Worn smooth by patience.
Translucent, transcendent,
A constant reminder:
Time is precious.

Sea glass, see glass
See through the looking glass...
Salt tears and wisdom know-
Sand once melted
Sand now scoured
Even glass will flow.

Milky white, palest aqua
Sea green baubles
Hung on sterling chains
Reminding the throat
Reminding the heart
Cherish each moment that remains.

Folder of Desire

I found this image on a rubber stamp and fell in love with it right away. In my file cabinet, I have "The Folder of Desire" and whenever an image speaks to me, it gets popped in here. It might be years before I actually get it inked, but I really believe in THINKING about what one is about to permanently inscribe on one's body...

Money Meditation

I am a skilled practitioner of the healing arts and an excellent businesswoman. I have many, deeply satisfied repeat clients, who pay me highly, and who spread the kind word to their friends and family who would also benefit from my services. I know that work is love made visible, and I enjoy my chosen path in creating right livelihood for myself and my loved ones.

I am wise with my money. I dedicate part to pay off my debts easily and effortlessly; part for my savings, which I then invest and watch grow; and the remainder I live on in comfort and moderation. I am now in a position to bless money as it goes out to pay my bills and pleasures, knowing it will return threefold.

I live each day feeling wealthy, open-hearted and free. I trust that I will have what I need because I trust the financial wisdom within myself. I trust that money comes into my life to provide what I need. I am responsible with my money, and I am generous with my money. I contribute to all that I want to see flourish in myself, my family, my community, & my charities.

I am now truly at peace with money.
Blessed Be.

Black Mermaid

I've always considered myself a girly-girl, despite dressing as a tomboy when growing up. I had my hair down to my waist, and at one point could actually sit on it.

When I opened my bookstore, I deliberately cut all my hair off to look more dykey, to be a warrior in the streets & lover in the sheets. I had a butch little flat top for years, which was usually dyed some array of colors.

This mermaid is my long hair, cascading down my back, reminding me of my more gentle, feminine form. I actually found the flash in a tattoo magazine, and have seen another women with the same tattoo, only on both of her forearms in mirror images. Very cool.

I closed my store four years ago, and have been growing out my hair, wearing long skirts & dresses, feeling more like the priestess that I am than the need to call forth the warrior within.

Mermaid by Cherie Lovedog, Santa Cruz CA, 1995

Litany of Lovers

Mercury Retrograde
And to calm my chattering mind
I recite a litany of lovers
A rosary of remembrance
Prayers for the lovers gone by

Mercury retrospect
And to calm my chattering heart
I recite a litany of lovers
Beading hopes & beliefs
Prayers for the lovers yet to be

Mercury reviewed
And to calm my chattering soul
I find the repeated pattern
In my litany of lovers
My rosary of remembrance
The common thread throughout
Is the lover in me

Babylon

This was my second tattoo. Sweet kitty Babylon. Babs for short. Killed at two years old. On my back, she is behind me, but always a part of me. I know someone with the same tattoo. That's another story.