Well...I waited a few weeks to have enough poems to do a proper ReVerse. I am not surprised at the twists and turns of each line and the ultimate hopeful tone.
The truth is, things are pretty chaotic right now with the pandemic raging out of control and our current President acting badly, lying, stirring his sycophants into rage and denial of reality. But oh...reality! It holds a spark of hope.
In the not too distant future we have a chance to get things right. We have a chance to move past the nightmare of the last few years and dare I say it...to dream again. Maybe even realize a few of those dreams...justice, equality, opportunity for all, restoration for our planet, mended relationships with our allies, accountability for those with hostile intentions, foreign and domestic. Not to mention the cracks in the glass ceiling more pronounced than ever...a woman vice-president for American girls, and especially girls of color to aspire to. The future holds a lot of promise and could be a reality if we nurture it and tend it. If we believe.
The last poem I wrote before today was inspired by a Celtic tradition, “telling the bees”, practiced by bee-keepers over the ages. It is customary to keep the bees in the loop especially in the wake of important news...births, deaths, marriage, and in this case, in my case the results of our recent election and the coming inauguration of our new “bee-keeper”. This is very important news indeed for the bees to know. Bees are a sensitive lot, messengers between us the the spiritual realm. The slightest thing can upset them, causing them to flee the hive, stop producing honey or worse, perish. Telling the bees keeps things in balance and sets the stage for good fortune.
I was sitting outside reading and rereading this poem aloud tweaking it here and there. To my surprise a honey bee showed up and landed on my hand. And stupid me...reflexively I shooed it away until I came to my senses and realized what I had just done. I called out to that little bee, and apologized for my rudeness and would you believe, it came back alighted on my hand once more. For a few seconds we shared a moment, the bee and me. It was magical. And believe me...it is true. Cross my heart, I’m not making this up.
Now I don’t know if you believe in this sort of thing, but I’m going to take that moment as a sign that my little friend heard me. That good fortune is on its way. And because of that I am feeling more hopeful than I have in quite a long while.
Here’s to a new week. To new beginnings. To life and health. To truth and compassion. To healing and justice. Namasté. ____________________________________________
Sunday’s ReVerse - 15 November 2020
their slow sad voices repeating it’s the trees clouds drench the hollow we have a voice in what’s at stake the cold air is thin but it will all be over soon we can cling to the promise of spring the dawn is coming we trust our higher angels to mend our brokenness, to reach to fill our honey jars of clay
~kat ____________________________________________ A ReVerse poem (a practice I started many years ago) is a summary poem with a single line lifted from each entry of a collection of work over a particular timeframe and re-penned in chronological order as a new poem. Unlike a collaborative poem, the ReVerse features the words of one writer, providing a glimpse into their thoughts over time. I use it as a review of the previous week (or in this case a review from several weeks’ poems).
Blue Ridge Mountain Foot Hills aka My Back Yard October 2020 ~kat
It is autumn. The trees are turning, letting go. I should let go too. After a lifetime of clinging to expectations, you would think I’d have learned a thing or two. About letting go. About not holding on for too long, way past the point of no return. It’s a hazard of course, of optimism, of wishful thinking.
A dozen of more leaves drift from the treetops, settling softly on the damp ground as I imagine myself turning, turning. No amount of angst will change what is. Time to let go. Time to ride the wind instead of leaning into it full-faced, stubborn, unmoved. I wish you peace and health and love.
Sunday’s ReVerse – 25 October 2020
aflame in red, amber, gold,
listen to the wind and chill
there is no calm, no eye
I keep forgetting to breathe
barely forming waves, the air
this life is not for the feigned of heart
but half of us are wide awake
wintering beneath the dust
~kat
A ReVerse poem (a practice I started many years ago) is a summary poem with a single line lifted from each entry of a collection of work over a particular timeframe and re-penned in chronological order as a new poem. Unlike a collaborative poem, the ReVerse features the words of one writer, providing a glimpse into their thoughts over time. I use it as a review of the previous week…or in this case, the past few weeks.
it’s been a few weeks of random. Some days I was inspired to write several poems. Others, I struggled to find words. Several jots never made it past my notepad. Working from home in our new weird alternate reality has taken a toll on me, I’m afraid. Sleep has eluded me. But I’m not giving up nor am I giving in. Baby steps. A word here, a flash of brilliance there. Like two pieces of flint tapping together, I know eventually there will be a spark great enough to ignite the fire in me again. And like a phoenix I’ll spread my wings and rise from the ash. For now I’m tending to necessary self-care. Working on getting more sleep. Watching less news. Staying safe. This is my favorite season. That is the one true thing that sustains me.
Peace and kindness to you. Pass it on. ❤️
Sunday’s ReVerse Poem – 27 September 2020
and yet still, she blooms,
that you are lost for good, I fear.
nothing to see here, all is great
I forgot to lock my head
one day I plan to be
as if we needed more heartbreak…
apple cider, cinnamon steeped, nips my tongue
~kat
A ReVerse poem (a practice I started many years ago) is a summary poem with a single line lifted from each entry of a collection of work over a particular timeframe and re-penned in chronological order as a new poem. Unlike a collaborative poem, the ReVerse features the words of one writer, providing a glimpse into their thoughts over time. I use it as a review of the previous week…or in this case, the past few months!
I had to scroll back weeks to find where I left off to glean snapshots of my thoughts for this ReVerse. It’s been an exhausting summer. It’s been an exhausting year. 2020. In hindsight will our vision become clearer? It’s hard to say, I suppose. This year isn’t over yet. I believe we have a fighting chance if we are able to elect a new president here in the states, with an experienced and competent team of experts at the helm. They will have a lot to clean up. Another four years of this nightmare would…well, let’s not go there just yet. I’m holding out hope that people of good will will do the right thing and vote for decency and sanity. But what do I know?
In the meantime I am determined to write more and angst less. It’s a tall order for my empathic monkey brain! And my muse? Poor thing. I’m afraid I’ve sent her into hiding more often than not these days. She doesn’t take kindly to brooding. But it is time to make peace with her and myself and do what I do. Write my heart and soul out. It may not always be pretty, but at least I’ll be keeping it real, and myself from the abyss!
I do hope this coming week is a good one for you…for all of us. Counting my blessings…I have a home, food to eat, a four-day a week job (the fifth day was furloughed…but hey, it’s a job), I have people who love me, animals that follow me everywhere, and my soul. What more could a body need? Suffice to say I am grateful this sunny Sunday as I take a moment to breathe. Peace and love all. ❤️
Sunday’s ReVerse – 6 September 2020
it’s going to be a slow recovery
it’s the little things you know
like a kiss, soft, slow,
in its sweetness, charged
amidst a sea of jewels rising
here, safe, well, solitary bliss…
I’ll never say I told you so
I bite my tongue and bide the time
remember to breathe
while the world burns
as the nights grow long
~kat
A ReVerse poem (a practice I started many years ago) is a summary poem with a single line lifted from each entry of a collection of work over a particular timeframe and re-penned in chronological order as a new poem. Unlike a collaborative poem, the ReVerse features the words of one writer, providing a glimpse into their thoughts over time. I use it as a review of the previous week…or in this case, the past few months!
I heard my first mourning dove this morning at my new house. When I lived in the city, they were regular residents on the power lines, nesting in the eaves. But here in the woods I had not seen one. I wondered if mourning sieves were just city dwellers. The following clip is something I found that speaks of the symbolism when a mourning dove happens by…
“Doves teach us that, regardless of external circumstances, peace is always a touch a way – within us – and always available. It is said that if a dove flies into your life, you are being asked to go within and release your emotional disharmony. The dove helps us to rid the trauma stored deep within our cellular memory. Doves carry the energy of promise. When inner conflicts are banished from our thoughts, words and feelings, goodness awaits.
The dove’s roles as spirit messenger, maternal symbol and liaison impart an inner peace that helps us to go about our lives calmly and with purpose.”
I must admit, I’ve been a bit stressed lately. Reduced hours at work, sheltering in, how long has it been? The days run together. My partner is having surgery tomorrow. Worry. It’s a silly niggling emotion, and what good does it do? What will be will be. Worrying just diverts me from the present moment. It causes me to hold my breath. I know what I need to do. Close my eyes in the fullness of the moment…and breathe. Hearing that dove this morning reminded me of that.
I managed just a few entries this week, but just enough. Just enough is in no way a negative thing. Some people might assume that it means I am settling, but there is an important distinction to my just enough…gratefulness and the peace in knowing that I have everything I need. I have a home that fits me just right, my health, family, friends, animals that depend on me and love me unconditionally, I have a job that pays the bills. Yes, I am grateful and my life is just enough.
And so, while I didn’t manage to write every day this week, what I did write was enough to craft this three-line reflection of the week that was. Each time I reread it I breathe in and sigh. “Peace is a touch away”…yes it is!
Sunday’s Week in ReVerse – 12 July 2020
the hum of gratitude whispered,
the night’s embrace,
days like this happen once in a blue
~kat
A ReVerse poem (a practice I started many years ago) is a summary poem with a single line lifted from each entry of a collection of work over a particular timeframe and re-penned in chronological order as a new poem. Unlike a collaborative poem, the ReVerse features the words of one writer, providing a glimpse into their thoughts over time. I use it as a review of the previous week.
So it is easier for you to find all the parts/chapters of my ongoing fiction series, I created a new page that lists all the links. You can check it out HERE!
Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this site’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Kat Myrman and Like Mercury Colliding with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.
