Nancy

My only cousin.
Born the same year
You evolved into
Adulthood
We met woman to woman

Never having met you as a child

I linger in the wonder of our new england early years, full of lakes, beaches  and wikdflowers.

I can feel the magic of discovery
Lasting a lifetime
Your wildflower book with us now
Identifying
Remembering your first introduction to each shy forest-hidden flower, telling me its name.
Grown, we were sharing what we both loved.

I am reliving my childhood with you by my side
A fishing buddy
Catching perch in the rowboat
The lake so still our oars made the only sound
Creaking oarlocks
The smooth pull onto the beach
Proud of our string
Scaling and trimming out fins
Seeing what they ate for breakfast in their guts
Feeling starved ourselves
Eager for grandma to roll them in cornmeal and frying our catch for breakfast

And then swimming and pirating at pitchwood island in the summer
Your week my favorite
Playing indians with our handmade bows and arrows
Finding my first lady slipper
So excited we had to go get mom and show her the delicate bloom we knew not to touch

The gift of our heritage
So great
Your dad my mother's best friend,  brother
And camping buddy
Passing on peace.
Long before we were thought of
this web of life spun us into its fabric

We hiked the Smokies and refashioned the past
Becoming playmates

As you journey into your dream world.
May the ocean waves wash up on the sand under your feet
May you run with the waterbirds along  sand and foamy bubbles
Breathing in salt air
May you hold the hands of the dear ones gone before
And remember to visit us
Those who love you
Always ready to play

Who am I now?

Who am I when I'm
All alone
When my sister is away
My children gone
My husband about his chores
And the holiday bustle
Vanishes into silence
Like a passenger train
Pulling out of the station
Loud with fanfare
"All aboard!"
Then rushing away into
The countryside
Since Mom died I am
No longer a daughter
This stillness so rare
I will wonder here
A bit longer

The 4 directions

I call in the spirit of the east
The place of beginnings
Where dawn nurtures a new day
I give thanks to all the beings who support birth and new creations and welcome them to our circle with archangel michael
Ho
I call in the spirit of the south
The highest zenith of the suns arc and all the benevolent beings who support flourishing and abundance
Ho
I call in the spirit of the west
And all the supportive benevolent beings who urge us to allow
the dying of the old so the new may be born. I call in archangel raphael
Ho
I call in the spirit of the north
The helpful ancestors who support us in our earth journey
Who give us courage to seek wisdom even in dark places,  illuminating them
Ho
I call in the star beings and all who are above seeking to help us on our path
Ho
I call in the spirit of the earth. The elementals earth, air, fire and water, the flowing streams and oceans, I pray for your balancing and healing. I ask for the healing power of the plant and animal kingdom to be with us supporting us
Ho
Today may our journeys honor all the benevolent beings of light who travel here and protect us now.
Ho

Upon seeing my self

Identifying with all the ladies of great years...I am within each one. This dedicated to my 92 year old aunt

When skin
Folds over
Like feathers
Relaxed and soft
After a shower
I glisten
Aged
And glowing
Printed with years of
Living

Journeying

Into the breathing pounding world
Of drum and rattle
I sit on the majestic rack of my
Moose and am tossed lightly onto his back
To journey
Why are we not visiting the upper realms I ask. What is holding us back?
There is a brush and a murmur and warm breath from his muzzle
Soon enough we will go.
And what is your name I ask.
It means dark and bright all at once. It is soft and comforting. It is deep breath courage and casual nonchalance. It is cadence and aimless wandering. My name is all this.

Ocean

Knowing Ocean
A poet so grand
I walk beside him
And feel the
Words groomed and
Rhyming
Tumbling through time and space
About to be arranged
As nonchalantly as a  butterfly
Or a waterfall
Perfectly cascading