Iron Red Arbutus
The incoming tide is raised by a northerly breeze in flares of white across the spreading channel, the water muted gray like autumn’s sky. Descent begun in rusted leaves of nootka rose, and winter’s pull into long nights with the mystery of dreams. I follow the path of retreat, pleasure in the slowing pace, letting […]
Lough Crew
The spreading sea and rolling hills are far away, the sweeping curves of river Boyne beneath the ancient mounds of Knowth. Kin to the wet grass and pungent cattle, the curving roads and tiny villages, oceans away the land is with me; not just a gravestone but the life that flows within soaking fields and […]
Always the Hunger
Many lives I’ve lived in this life, new characters, changing look and feel but the same eager eye, listening ear and the hunger, always the hunger. I’ve fooled myself with disguises but now I sit with the Watcher, eyes alert that will not sleep, ear awakened to Her heartbeat. I am the brightness in the […]
Ancient Root
In ancient root when God was woman and the land Her body, warriors were revered, magicians empowered, poets loved and sovereigns wise. With the lineage spoiled we chase images, while the grail waits in the dark well of soul; but the land remains, and in the land our longing for one more glimpse of Her […]
Clear Water
I go where nothing’s bitter and nothing sweet, only clear water below the mountain, cleansed by stone in dark caverns, given to the light.
Sentinels
Looking down the broad avenue a strange tidal river runs of cars, trucks and bicycles flowing into the city with the gravity of commerce; wires and cables cross tall trees driven to the pavement, supporting a tangle of electricity. I look past the roar and metal to the distant sky, yet wonder about these solitary […]
Your Story
Your story rests within the earth old and unending, rising from the deep forest on gnarled and twisted roots to the lifting trunk and furthest branches. A story of one life with all its suffering and struggle to renew, year upon year, ring after ring, yielding finally to the authentic; becoming exactly who you are […]
Ancient Pulse
The solar arc turns southward as the high days of long light begin their descent to autumn. The aberration of war continues yet beneath layers of leaf and root an older rhythm commands: rivers to the sea, hummingbirds to cross the broad equator, and soul to gather the ancient pulse into a new day. […]
Wings to the Sky
Wings to the sky, the sea bird heads out across the water, such faith in a feather, lifted above the wind stirred sea, the heart beat yearning for what may be found on the further shore.
From This Day Forward
From this day forward the landscape unknown – no map, no signpost, no tradition repeats. Earth herself a carapace shaken and shed by inner truth, into the embrace of the stars.
The Lion Waits
The lion in me waits hungry for unseen light, gnawing on a hollow bone to gather strength from the river beneath the Earth.
Born Again
The warranty said limited life but it is summer, my daughters are here with their own children and I’m still alive, rising with the sun like vapor from dew-soaked grass. The ancient river always new descends to an unseen ocean, as I gather and hold these days, born again with the soft voice of a […]
Across the Great Distance
Winds gust from the south pushing the flood tide into gravel reaches, soaking the stone feet of an ancient rock wall with images carved by all that’s gone before. Vigilant in what is yet to come and from this place between past runes and future dreams, I call to you, joining us across the great […]
Helen
(for my mother’s sister) What an old thorn you’ve been for me and I for you; once a young green tare pulled into our bodies by the weight of my mother’s death. Tearing the flesh of family belief, the images of common origin in the womb of your mother where all this began and those […]
We Look through Glass
(for Linda) I find you as I look past the clog of wires to the hummingbird in the plum tree, past the thrum of motor to children’s voices from the church. Where people have abundance there seems such deprivation yet also the sweetness of home. The beauty in your eyes and the way we look […]