~Pono Pheidippides~

One of my best friends just ran a marathon.

A MARATHON.

I had the chance---was given the incredible gift, rather---of being there.

I watched as he pushed his limits, didn't back down, was humbled...physically broken...and fully spent.

And I was able to be half of the pair (one on each side) that picked him up---recognized with wonder---and rebuilt him, a single smile and shared laugh at a time.

Gratitude does not suffice to describe the feeling I have when I think of the blessing of simply BEING invited in---being allowed to witness such a milestone in his life---and scraping that sweet spirit up off the side of the road after it was all said and done.    *oh yeah, you better bet we fed him da best kine ono poke grindz afterwards too, cuz~

~Present Poem~

-Life-

-a delicate dance between chaos and clarity

-each day’s passing ushers in the unexpected

-this mixed bag of heartache and hilarity.

-Fragile-

-the moments among which….

-darkness threatens to overtake

-casting its long shadow—

-a blanket covering without care.

-Joyful-

-the heart--

-whose cavernous chambers overflow

-filled to the brim.

-boasting a beauteous beat

-harmonizing with gratitude

-and a melody of peace.

-This vessel’s voice sings and swells—

-It's arcing climax: a crescendo of love.

-Courageous-

-the ones

-who set upon their journeys.

-heads held high—roadmaps opened wide

-boldly blazing a trail

-with laborers few---and martyrs many.

-Faithful-

-the eyes

-whose vision is not blurred

-Heavenly heads, raised and upright

-Setting sights above

-unwavering commitment crowning their curls.

-Hopeful-

-it peeks around corners....

-the soul seeking that something

-reaching out hands for healing

-open-palms ready....waiting...

-with joyful expectation

-perched in the pregnant pauses--

-this steadfast spirit buoyed by belief…

-sets anchor among Truth’s tranquil tides.

-Free-

-A description of me.

-Would be,

-Could be.

-Shall BE~

~Seasons Greetings~

Although I live on a beautiful island where all is eternal sunshine and warmth, I still experience seasons.

I soak in sun-dappled summers—those days, weeks, years even—when I am tangibly aware of God’s daily blessings—as I feel their sweet kisses on my brow like warm rays beaming down on me from above. Yes, everything in this season seems bliss-filled and charmed beyond measure. Ah, Summer~

I skip through Springs---days strung together by misty mornings filled with light drizzling drops from Heaven that seem to bring all I see around me to life with vivid color and vibrant smells and sounds. These days I feel are characterized most by their hopefulness exuded….I almost imagine hope and cheerful expectation to be the pollen pods swept to and fro—alighted upon the honeybees’ wings as they go forth and brighten the world with seeds –of life--reveling in the wonder of renewal and regeneration—of newness and rebirth~

Fall finds me foraging through the closets---sensing that shift from the Summer season---not a sinister swing, yet all the same—I am aware I should reassess my wardrobe—clothing myself in corduroy and denim—soft sweaters—a kaleidoscope array of scarves and stockings….striped, with rainbows and (of course) rockin’ polka dots~

It is during these days that with every breath, I inhale the woodsy, earthy scents of time passing and life cycles sliding---one from another—around and around we go…I see the colors aflame among the trees—each leaf longing to stay connected to the tree it knows so well—that has nurtured it to this time---when it is at its most radiant and awe-inspiring state—bright, bold and striking in dramatic color. I watch and feel deeply the scene being played out before me—I sense the struggle of the leaf to remain resting upon the boughs---yet also survey the beauty of the bare branches that remain, after the leaf has allowed nature to take its course---has trusted in the weather to redeem in the next cycle—restoring life—and color—and communion with the arms of the arbor it loves so dear.

Now this--- my recent Winter—long a time of trepidation to me—I am learning now, daily—can also have its wonders. The cold I long feared—rather than giving me frostbite---has caused a healthy hue of rosy red to creep back into my cheeks. The brisk wind takes my breath away---and as I inhale with that sharp sense of shock---the air is sent swirling---I see it---billowing shafts—visible to my eyes—this undeniable reminder that I exhale…I exist. I am…everyday…breathing into the world….and this winter---I am also acutely aware—that I choose whether I will breathe goodness and light—or bitterness and defeat. I choose light….all the while, knowing….Spring is just around the corner...and this Winter's wonders have yet to all be revealed~

*Dreaming of daffodils today, and breathing goodness~

My Other Bird's Words~

My Kindred Spirit Kristen Kidd wrote this...and it provides such hope and beautiful promise...of home~

I pray it blesses you as it did me:

----------------------------

Homes

Homes burn down
Homes are destroyed in war
Homes decay and dilapidate

Some people have many homes
With a million things to fill them with
Some of those same people
Suddenly have none
And roam and roam.

Stay strong in the times
When you are your only home-
The times when you must build again
When supplies are scarce
and helpers few

You deserve more, and you know
What you deserve...

Go

Gather the twigs and leaves of each day.
Pack it in with the mud
that connects each day to the next

Know that it is worthy
Because it is you, now
- raw, keen, earth, real, malleable

On a walk, some time,
you'll come upon a home
Remarkably like your own
You'll both stand gazing
at the sticks and mud
Then turn away, hand in hand
To build new~

The Beacon of the Butterfly

As I go about my days lately, I realize I have to go home…to myself. I must leave my own light on—waiting to greet me when I return late at night—foresee that need for a beacon in the darkness, and plan ahead for evening time. I have made peace with this, in that I have, can, and will go home every day, with peace and assurance of ability—and independence initiated by an unwanted absence, yet one that is ever a bittersweet shadow in the background…mostly sweet though, I choose the honey over the hive~

Home, yes…but I still miss my roommate, my best friend, and my person. This is honest.

This is right---and well---and good…because I know-- deep down--- if I didn’t miss and ache with every fiber of my being, then I would question if I ever truly loved at all…and I did---I really, really did.

And I do…..I really, really do.

I am choosing to be grateful--to be home (again)…and I pray and look forward to moving into a new sanctuary one day (soon is my honest hope)…one that is filled with much more light, a lot more laughter, and a limitless lightness of being…with my roommate.

I will hold my own—decorate this home---with vivid color and bright, hope-filled patterns of stars—rainbows of promise, ridden by lions and fairies—but mostly butterflies---fresh born from their battle with that cocoon—able to rest now--the struggle having brought them back to their source…and in these new bodies, winged, beautiful beings that they are—these creatures created to fly—will be~

~Sometimes~

Sometimes….

You realize just how much you have in life…how blessed you are…and how much there is to look forward to.

A night of good music, beautiful spirits, sweet soul kisses, and big, bear hugs.

So long City of Angels...

*I’ll be seeing you~

Evening Compline~

Perched high above the hum of the city, nestled in this castellar fortress. Among the trees, a wind whispers. The birds sing their farewells to February, and watch among the branches as the world whirls by below.

She looks up wistfully, her breath catches at the haunting halation captured as the sun slips into the shadows—the brilliant last light too beautiful to be caught and held more than a moment—she lets it go with grace, and follows its fading gleam—past the charnel, with its costly carcelage.---Away from the angry glare of lights too bright….burning her blue eyes---stinging her salt-water streaked cheek.

Rung by rung, she climbs…ascending up---away. Higher and higher she goes…each new step birthing a hope and prayer for a shining, chimerical sign—a sign of peace—a promise of provision—a reconciliation of hearts—a healing.

Arriving at the apex of this fairy dell in the sky, a ceremony of chasmogamy is born. And, in the moonlit gloaming, with each petal’s preening—reaching ravenously among the stars—petitioning the Maker for that manna from above, this flower’s compline commences.

And there is sustenance in the twilight—as the morning makes its bed to rest, and rise again~

White Lightning!

After what seems like a month of mornings marked by question after question... after question …I woke today with an entirely new set of inquiries:

1) How do I take my coffee?

"I’ll take my coffee poolside, thank you."

2) Who will now wake me with a kiss?

"The estate’s resident spaniel’s smooch is unabashedly offered on the daily (provided I, in turn, barter with a promise of abundant hugs and cuddles throughout the day)."

3) Who/what can I be totally immersed into now?

"That sparkling pool peeking just outside my balcony beckons…"

4) And the stroke of preference today?

"FREEStyle, naturally"~

5) When one finds oneself alone, on a Hollywood Hills estate, in a private pool…what DOES one do?

"BLIND THOSE BIRDS WITH A STREAKIN’ FLASH OF UNFETTERED FAIRY FREESTYLE…" *bringing new meaning to the term: white lightning~

6) And the soundtrack for this skinny dippin’ sesh?

"Praise songs….all day long~"

After almost a month of endless questions….I am finding some answers…and they aren’t half bad~

Nepenthe~

Respite and Nepenthe.

The Golden State~

I ran away from home today….

I’ll not stay…

I just need some time.

An ocean in between…

Some moments to pray…

A forum to play…

*So I’m Headin’ to that Golden State…..

Gonna put on that party dress.

Break out those dancin’ shoes.

Listen to some live music.

Walk in the wine country (like sample?)

Drive with the top down.

Bike down the boardwalk.

Venture into Venice, just to see what I see.

Swim in the sun-dappled pool outside my front door.

Wander around that writing world.

And reconnect with those who first saw me sparkle and shine.

Making peace with a past long pushed aside, City of Angels…I’d like to re-introduce myself.

So nice to see you see me again.

What you got, maw ma?