Sunday Eclipse

I was the Priestess today, arriving at the Chapter Room early, and then going back out to the main entrance. I greeted each retreatant with a hushed whisper,  “Would you like to see the eclipse?” while handing over the protective glasses. 

This was compassion, offering the first look to the random gentleman who came down the path, making eye contact, smiling, sharing whispers of ancient secrets. Self-compassion - taking in the sun and the moon's energy in Libra straight into my heart, my solar plexus. Feeling my Libra relationships, as I smiled and shared my childlike Joy with each person.

Marianne had tears in her eyes, Sarah grinned ear-to-ear, and Catherine gave me a warm hug. I felt loved and appreciated. I'm so glad I brought them to share and not just for myself. feeling that Venus aspect of self-love, self-care.

I made sure everyone got a turn, but somehow one participant slipped in without me seeing him. This Eclipse will not be seen in North America again until 2039. Truly a Celestial experience. I felt humbled, in awe, and privileged.

Picnic Table

Heat of your palm

Love is eternal

Form shifts

Tendrils of Belief

 

Tendrils of Belief: Poems 1997 - 2006 

Picks up the adventures of our Baby Crone five years after Sappho’s Delights. No longer a maiden, she embraces motherhood, becomes a gay divorce, and moves from retail therapy to hypnotherapy. Spanning almost a decade, here is more scrumptious food for thought, nuggets to savor and relish. Inspired by Adrienne Rich’s, On Lies Secrets, and Silence, these tender tales continue a quest into a deeper knowing of self, family, and community. Prayers, meditations, affirmations, and some lamentations.

Ring of Fire

Sun streams through slats,

Blinding white.

Almost hostile,

Stabbing my eyes,

I reach for the twisty thing.

    Dust motes twinkle,

    As I spread Mom's old quilt.

    Tattered blue jeans, ripped, frayed,

    Sewn together- look! It has pockets!

Comfort zones come,

At a comfortable pace.

Ginger peach turmeric tea,

Sipping tangerine neon sunsets.

    Sure, the eclipse kissed the sun,

    ate her whole.

    Celestial travelers, clearing,

    Solar systems, solar plexus.

Perfect alignments,

Orbits and conjunctions,

Oppositions and trines

    Never still, never still.

Tell-Tale Heart

I forgive myself lazy days on the couch,

All the times I just acted like a slouch,

Eating frozen pizza instead of making a meal,

Every single time that I ever ate veal.

The years I used Roundup cuz I didn't know better,

Or how much child labor went into that sweater

Times. I smoked too much, times. I cursed,

Drove intoxicated, It could have been worse. 

I forgive all the breakups, all the disappointments,

Divorces, lost friends, all the estrangements.

Emails not sent. Phone calls not returned,

Losing trust when it had been so hard-earned. 

It wasn't okay, it isn't now,

But it no longer has to affect me somehow,

Because I learned my lessons, I learn them well,

This is the tale my compassionate heart has to tell.

The One Question

 

Here at the retreat

My life revolves around most

What's for lunch today

Sappho's Delights

Sappho’s Delights: Poems 1984 - 1997

A delicious collection of feminist and lesbian poetry that chronicles the adventures of a young baby crone as she crosses the country and discovers home.

These tasty morsels span almost a decade. From coming out as bisexual during high school in Maryland, a frisky four years of college in Connecticut (with an interim in zesty California), a healing year in Northern Idaho, participating on the Global Walk for a Livable World (where she walked from Los Angeles to Flagstaff, Arizona), living as a lesbian separatist, as well as opening the feminist bookstore in Santa Cruz, California.

Friends, lovers, cats, and companions are celebrated through poems, haiku, songs, ramblings, and even some blues. Dip your toes into the honey!