EPISODE 28 - CELEBRATION OF LIGHT
On December the 21st, the winter solstice starts, here in the Northern Hemisphere, lengthening days and shortening nights. Chanukah and Christmas are religious celebrations full of light. Then we can get ready to celebrate the coming of 2021, a new year. Let’s consider every hour and every day a celebration too.
DECEMBER MORNING
Lying in bed looking at the Western sky
At six its grey, at seven a new day
pale blue with candy pink strips of cloud.
A flock of blackbirds flies by
above her silhouette
and the colorful elephants
on her flannel jammies.
Up at eight looking East
watching the morning’s golden sunlight
spread over the bookcase.
illumining titles on book spines
collected over 30 years.
Some I have opened and read.
Now I have a pile
six library books
on my desk
with dated half lives
to be read and returned.
I don’t want more
of anything
that takes up space.
I only want to give, receive and share
more love, joy and happiness.
In our reading nook
the door is open to
Unusually cool air.
Feeling the breeze wafting in,
hearing the blackbirds chattering on the roof,
smelling basil and thyme in the grow box,
seeing palm fronds steady and still,
before the storm.
Sometimes in the morning
we talk
to birds and trees.
In the evening tree frogs,
suction cup fingers and toes attached,
stare at us through the glass door,
we watch their translucent bodies
vibrate with the life force
that we all share.
THIS MONTH OF DECEMBER
December has many celebrations
and we can hope for revelations.
for some this holiday season
gives shopping a good reason.
Decorations, trees and lights
make for enjoyable sights
We hope for the end to be near
but deadly Covid is still here
what an unexpected year
2020 has been
by most people unforeseen.
Timelessness and time
have been an extra climb,
in suspended animation
like a case of constipation
cured by looking inside
reflecting and finding
new understanding
and in our wisdom landing.
Now many differences disappear.
One connected world is clear
the virus travels easily around our sphere
carried and passed around
silently without a sound.
So here we are in a place
experiencing each others grace
taking care, breathing clean air
sharing food and money we can spare
Sending loving prayers and wishing well
is spreading a healing spell.
While 2021 will be a fresh start
put the horse before the cart,
stay vigilant and caring,
hold off being too daring.
Lets not forget those who died,
and those left behind who cried.
Now in this season of celebration
Know soon there will be vaccination.
Remember too the gift of time:
Time for not doing, just being
time to reflect on life’s deepest meaning
time to discover the Truth, beyond words in silence;
Where peace and contentment are waiting
When I think of peace I am reminded of this exquisite moment in time when we stood in the woods of La Verna and our guide Alessandra sang the prayer of Saint Francis
©MartinStrasmore2020
WHAT IS POETRY?
Tukaram Maharaj, an Indian Poet saint who lived in the 1600’s said:
To arrange words
in some order
is not the same thing
as the inner poise
That’s poetry.
The truth of poetry
is the truth
of being.
It’s an experience
of truth . . .
Says Tuka
we are here to reveal.
We do not waste