Monday 26 November 2012

On sharing.....

As a mother I can't bear the pictures that have gone round the world of children injured in the recent conflicts in Gaza and other conflicts around the world. 

Other pictures, reality of peoples' lives, are the ones of starving children - it is beyond comprehension. 

Where I live
we live a life of plentiful
we can walk the streets 
without fear for our lives
our children can play and smile
and are soundly at sleep at night

I am grateful for that and feel disturbed in the knowledge that for many it is not. 

Today, Share International came through my letter box and an excerpt printed at the back of December's edition reads :

"When men take the decision to share together the produce of this bountiful world, an extraordinary and mysterious happening will take place: at a stroke, men will realize that the need for war is past, the menace of terrorism will quickly disappear, the trust engendered by sharing will make the problems facing men, environmental and territorial, resolvable in blossoming goodwill. Through sharing, men will realize that they are brothers, and acting as brothers in close co-operation, will begin the process of transforming the world"

Benjamin Creme's Master, from 'the secret of living', A Master Speaks

note the sign' brother' in the shop window
the two crosses of light seem like two brothers standing next to each other

Tuesday 9 October 2012

steps of separation

my own mother
my own development
work

are taking me away
away 
from my children
my family

oh the pain
the anxiety
the wish 

for comfort
forever

Yet 
such it is
steps of separation

necessary
painful
unsettling

Mami
stay here

STAY HERE

emphatically
while his gaze
locks into mine

I am here 
and there 
my son

oh but I know
the steps of separation

necessary
painful
unsettling

my heart is weeping

yet I am the lone 
figure
running along the beach

into the clouds
of an uncertain horizon
for me 
and for you


Wednesday 26 September 2012

On courage...


one of my girls

she struggled with being kind 
and wanting to say no
at the same time

wanting some space
to be who she wants to be
is that allowed?

tears, and hugs and 
conflicted feelings
a big sigh

my little child
life takes courage
and when the pains outweigh the joys

I give you permission to say
NO

life takes courage indeed

she asked for her initial 
the sparkly big N
encrusted with diamonds

to be put in her pocket
so she may be reminded
of being courageous

my little girl
the journey
of becoming YOU

life takes courage indeed

where is my courage?
when do I hide?
how can I be counted?

walking tall
pushing through
the inner resistance

the truth to be told
to live a life 
as you say and as you feel

deep down in your heart

stepping out 
and standing tall

this is me


Sunday 23 September 2012

Resilience & The River of Forgetfulnesss

YOU want me to do what YOU want

what YOU need

YOU are angry 

silent, whipping anger 

I withstand

I know

I care 

and I know

but I am 

not

giving you

the protection of 

YOUR reality

anymore

because this is YOUR story



the river of forgetfulness
stranded 
in silent suffering and pain
transformed into 
creeping
silent
anger
whipping, slashing, gently, quietly
the wind sweeps through the house
rattling the shutters
flaring curtains
the river of forgetfulness


it is not mine

I let go

I let be

I let the truth

speak 

I am strong

I am not sick

I am

free to expand




Sunday 2 September 2012

Searching for a language of the fragments.....


I have not had enough of sea
not enough of water
not enough of the rushing silence

within

not enough

needing more 

fragments of bones
and twigs
and claws
and carcasses

floating and stranding

on the ancient coast

laid bare on stone

I have not had enough of the sea
not enough of water
not enough of the rushing silence




searching for a language
of these fragments

What can I say?


searching the humming 
of the song
the story
that brings it all together

together 
union maybe
may be




Tuesday 14 August 2012

The well has been touched

unexpected  
kindness by others 
welcoming world

what once 
before
was hell

the dam breaks
the tears flow 
without restraint

I did not know
that this was still 
troubling me

flow flow flow
unknotting the pain
the plat of sorrow

my girls
so good
so loving

telling me 
I can be Mother to you
and dry your tears






Monday 6 August 2012

The healing power of water

the urge to be close to water
to wade in and swirl
and to be taken
to shores far beyond

the urge to be embraced by water
to feel its comings and goings
to be one with the flow
moving through my body

the river bank
the big Mother Ship
the lapping sound 
of the source

the sea of the Northern Land
giant waves thundering towards 
the beach - skidding pebbles 
like shooting missiles

but I stand
I withstand
I go with
I am

the urge to be close 
to be embraced
by the source
there is healing in that