The moon rose beside Saturn,
shining pale light on the autumn sea;
later the sun lifted bright orange
painting Van Gogh
on the ebbing tide.
I dawdle with seabirds,
feeding on color.
One day I’ll pass with the tide
but why taint these hours
while here for the feast.
Bring your sadness and regret,
the loves you might have known.
You may be the food
the gods will relish
and turn into morning light.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reading of “Painting Van Gogh” with music by Vivaldi

The sound of wind across the sea,
the lonely cry of gulls,
earth stirring in first hours
as I arise from the dream time,
humble before the forces
of light and dark.
Night the healer,
day for bearing gifts,
I’m quiet before the altar,
morning prayers
formed without sound
as the sun star rises
bright upon the water.
When asked for light
light is given,
when tired and worn
night is my friend.
Earth magic present
in the deepest folds
of time and place
where wind moves
across the sea
and the knowing
keep to silence.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reading of “Earth Magic” with music by Norm Smookler.

Day rises with quiet breath,
sun bright in cloudless skies.
The sea is still, flooded to the high mark,
collecting strength for the ebb’s return.
Like the cormorant hunting these salt waters
my net is dropped in morning hours,
fishing for peace on the new earth tide.
Disturbance in the world is great
but below that roiled surface
ancient forces are at work
in the kingdoms of sea and stone.
From the silence, waves of contentment
spread across the earth and water,
feeding the innocent in timeless grace.
My nets are full, the harvest rich,
peace it is I bring to harbor
spread before you in gathering light.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reading of “In Gathering Light” with music by the English Chamber Orchestra

The planet’s dial
clicks another turn
as the air cools
and we move into autumn.
Walls of stone step down
into the changing tide,
steadfast in their ancient vigil.
With the thirst of brown grass
trees thrum their cloud songs
drawing end-of-summer rain.
Beside the shore
a quiet blessing,
mantras repeated
waveless as an orca
through the silence.
Life it is, I call to the sea
and from the sea life returns
as a flight of crows
pass in morning light.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reading of “Call and Response” with music by Jefferson Airplane

From cathedrals below the sea
dark images float up
in the bellies of fish,
devouring sunlight
on the rippling surface
before descending with color
to undersea grottoes.
One day they will rise
and I will go down
to visit the spires
and vaulted stone arches,
to suffer my thanks
for the gifts of safe crossing.
Kneeling in the depths
I will ask for my life
knowing she will grant it
and when I return
I’ll give you the story.
Dark images, painted with color
in a symphony of silence,
that’s what I’ll give you
when I return from the sea.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reading of “When I Return from the Sea” with music by Sting