Big drop rain and gray skies
settle over the land,
cold air and wet ground
bringing rest to the earth
in the deep sleep of winter.
Guides inform me
during blanket weather
in the shape of crows
and bare branch trees,
telling a story
older than time.
Bear dreams in his cave,
salmon come to life
in upland creeks and rivers
as the Old Ones shape a future
under the January moon.
I hold fast in the rushing water
of time and familiar faces,
letting care be taken
before speaking a word,
bowing to the Lord of the dance
then entering the flow.
photo by Shlag
I love the essence of this poem, Don. The dance of the now, the awakeness of perception to what is behind it all, indeed, behind us!
Don, this Old One will be out on the road, holding fast in my brother’s pickup truck against the rain and sleet between Vancouver, BC and Seattle. The bear is wise to stay in the cave and sleep.
in the rhythm and the message Don — you speak for me and for many, and once entering, the dance is forever …
“letting care be taken
before speaking a word,
bowing to the Lord of the dance
then entering the flow.”
Boom! Right on the money! I love all the very Northwest images and myths in this poem. A nod to your Irish ancestry in the title, of course. 🙂
Don, this is beautiful. I hear a deep Silence in the bowing. What a remarkable day to be here with friends.
I concur with Sandy… Boom!
I land right with you in the “….care be taken before speaking a word…” And Bear is dreaming intensely where we live with the Arctic deep freeze and intense wind chill. I meet you right here, listening with care, staying so quiet, present, under the January moon with the Old Ones at work inexorably. Perfect images which capture my ‘today,’ Don. Thank you.
Sweet goodness. No one invokes damp winter as positively as you, my friend. And the title reminded me of a line in an old Protestant hymn, “dance then, wherever you may be, I am the Lord of the dance, said He…”
Another fine day in the flow giving tribute to the words created with understanding and inspiration. Thanks, Don.
Ah,yes…what wonderful images!
Yes!
I always marvel at your ability to capture the wonder of the dance of nature and its deep meaning ……….thank you, Don!