BE KIND

Breathe in the air,

take a break
from holding your breath
against bad news,

let your lungs expand
with the promise
of this day,

there are so many
ways you make a difference,

your smile,
your style
of letting others
be heard,

all you have learned
in life
is part of your
beautiful being,

share that,

live that,

be kind.

Photo by Lisa Berg

When is it Time

When is it time
to go,

it’s a mystery
how I know
I’m ready,

subtle shifts in the air,
small whispers in my ear,
prepare,
take care,

your journey
will be long,
you belong there
not here,

be strong,
bring along
your will
to fly,

keep an eye
to the skies,
to the earth
spinning ‘neath your wings,

~

we yearn
for our own
whispered clues
as we ponder
our days,

it’s hard to discern
which way to turn,
whether to go
or stay,

be safe
little hummingbird,
we’re counting
on you.

SELDOM

Hatred

Seldom slows

to contemplate,

Seldom seeks

to compromise,

Seldom looks

to analyze,

Seldom tries

to stop a lie,

Seldom hopes

to calm a fear,

Seldom takes

a look inside,

Seldom finds

a way to turn

to love.

SHIFTING SAND

He went straight to heaven,

that’s what the priest said

at his funeral,

there is nothing else to be said

when a boy of ten is gone,

I was home that day

when he passed away,

only four,

too young to know about death,

yet, sharply tuned,

like our old piano,

to the hurried steps,

the rush to get help,

my father’s tears

as he carried him

out the door,

it was already too late,

I could tell at four

by the faces,

there were no more traces of hope

for my brother,

it nearly killed my mother

who had done all she could

to help his ailing body heal,

and yet, in a twist of fate,

she carried new life

in her womb that day,

death and life

shifting like sand

beneath our feet

never sure of the tide

or its direction.

THE RIVER OF SONG

I believe in you,
the heart and soul of you,
the river running through you
from the beginning of time to now,

the healing waters
washing clean the stones of suffering
lodged deep in your being,
removing damage done in the course
of burdened travels.

I believe in you,
the love and song of you,
the notes playing through you
from the beginning of time to now,

the healing symphony
soothing the chords of suffering
lodged deep in your being,
allowing new songs,
the songs of the universe
to soar free.

I believe in you,
and the river of song
running through you.

From Dawn to Hopeful Dawn

There’s a grotto where an angel stands,

her hands in silent prayer,

she doesn’t flinch as stones are tossed

and bullets fill the air,

she knows full well of human strife

and bombs and war that fill the night,

she knows the scourge of homelessness,

and the plight of those

who must take flight

to reach a safer land,

yet, still, she prays unceasingly

from dawn to hopeful dawn,

doing all she can, it seems, to counteract

the endless stream

of hateful words

and harmful deeds

that seem to fill our world,

so, let us add our prayers to hers,

then act with God’s true grace

to walk our path and leave a trace

of only light and love,

we have a chance this Christmas to

move toward Peace on Earth

by all we say and do and live

from dawn to hopeful dawn.

There once was a poem, oh, so fine,

it was like an expensive red wine,

with hints of aged oak,

and hickory smoke,

it seduced with each full-bodied line.

MY YELLOW SPRINGS RETREAT

Some people go to Florida for a retreat from the northern climes. I traveled one hour by car from Columbus and spent four days in Yellow Springs, Ohio. I had stumbled upon the new Park Mill Hotel when doing a Google search and was intrigued. When they later offered an upgrade at no extra cost, I became certain my visit was karmically destined. I had no plan other than to read, write, relax and explore. Here’s a bit of the joys I found.

A delicious cup of coffee at The Emporium on my first morning was a great start to my retreat. I had some time to write and was inspired by a great book of poetry from their shelves. I took a walk to Antioch College and checked out the fantastic and important Divided States exhibit at the Herndon Gallery. Jennifer Wenker, one of the curators, spent time explaining the exhibit and sharing her enthusiasm for art and for Antioch.   Later that day, I drove to the Raptor Center at Glen Helen Nature Preserve and admired the majestic birds being housed and helped there. I was the only one there on an icy January morning which made it all the more enjoyable. That evening included a restorative yoga class at The House of Aum followed by a fantastic South of the Border salad from Williams’ Eatery.

I visited a ton of stores and loved browsing, buying and chatting with the owners. I even overheard a discussion about smudging which was quite illuminating. Some of my favorite shops were Heaven on Earth, Oats, Asanda Imports, Bonadies Glass Studio, Sam and Eddies Open Books, Tibet Bazaar, Urban Handmade, Dark Star Books (I even met Mr. Eko, the cat) and Glen Helen Nature Shop. My favorites were Village Artisans Cooperative Gallery (I bought a lot there and wanted even more) and Earth Rose International Imports. Ed Oxley and I had a really great conversation at Earth Rose that segued into Snowdrop Flowers. He shared photos from his yard and offered to send me some bulbs. They arrived this week and are planted in my yard. Who knew such a flower existed and who knew someone like Ed would actually follow through on sending the flowers – such an incredibly kind and generous man.

Other highlights of my retreat included a movie at the Little Art Theatre, breakfast one morning at the Sunrise Café (probably the best breakfast sandwich I’ve ever had) and a concert on my final night at the Glen Helen Institute. It was part of the Cello Springs Festival and was a memorable conclusion to my visit. I was entranced by the soaring sounds combined with poetry readings and visual art. While the rain pattered on the windows, the cellos stirred the souls of those present.

My soul was replenished by my visit to Yellow Springs. I will be back. Thanks to everyone who shared a kind word or a warm conversation. You have quite a city!

This is a Letter to the Editor that was published in the Yellow Springs News, Yellow Springs, Ohio, the week of February 5th, 2017

Photo and essay by Rita Bourland – rbourland53@gmail.com