SEDONA’S RED ROCKS - WARS & MORE

As  I waited for inspiration the world changed - the war between Israel & Hamas - the power battle between extremes in the GOP - The performance we attended of “Considering Matthew Shepard”, a poignant and brilliant reminder of the co-existence of hate and love.  You will hear how I have been effected by these, as I realize that poetry has a valuable role in this world.
These poems also reflect my search for an experience of the famed "Vortexes of Sedona".

Transcript

SEDONA’S RED ROCKS - WARS & MORE

As I waited for inspiration the world changed - the war between Israel & Hamas - the power battle between extremes in the GOP - The performance we attended of “Considering Matthew Shepard”, a poignant and brilliant reminder of the co-existence of hate and love.  You will hear how I have been effected by these, as I realize that poetry has a valuable role in this world.

CATHEDRAL ROCK

In the Vortex of Cathedral Rock

watching watchers, talkers and meditators

watching golden rays brighten hearts

waiting for the moment of perfection

which is always waiting to abe discovered

Worth the climb up steeply angled slippery rocks

few footholds, many finger holds

witnessing the sun dipping below the horizon 

darkness creeping up on us

making the descent a greater adventure.

Now months later

in the vortex of the Church of Christ

the Oratorio  “considering Matthew Shepard”

Reminds that love and hate co-exist

Taking me back to the Red Rocks

throwing me into a cauldron

where wars, anger and cruelty

stirred up by age old stories,

erupt into conflict, death and destruction.

Wait,

we cannot ignore the present reality

yet

we can stay closer to our own hearts

we can choose to be the vortex

of universal love

we can embrace calm and peace

we can do our part 

to bring back humanity and sanity

to bring back a world from the brink

We must remember

everyone deserves to feel 

the cooling moon

the warming sun

the soothing wind

the blessings of the stars

BLOOD RED ROCKS

Dawn walking, watching, waiting

for that brilliant sunrise

that will paint the red rocks red

Sunrises inching above the Eastern ridge

breaking through clouds, 

piercing tree branches

another day of rock watching begins

searching for the perfect vision

searching for the perfect vortex

to transport me to a higher level

of delight and love.

The red rock spell is broken

by remembering innocent’s blood

pouring over rubble in Ukraine

spattering across rocks in Israel

crushed in collapsed Gaza

spurting gunshot wounds in Maine

When will these war games end

humanity live together in peace again,

and The red rocks of Sedona

evoke beauty not painful thoughts

of spilt blood.

NAMES OF SEDONA

I imagine The Red Rocks

worn and shaped by wind and rain

and geological events

had to be given names

without names like Bell Rock

or Courthouse Butte

ringing in our heads

how could we walk

with purpose and direction.

I walked to Brin’s Mesa

through Soldiers Pass

over Devils Bridge

and found the 7 sacred ponds

where my water bottle ran dry.

One day left to realize 

vortex power

the church of the Holy Cross

Too crowded and busy

Airport Mesa

the clouds parted above me

The Light illuminated my Sahasra

my bald head shone

but the talkers broke the silence

and the spell was broken

again.

All that is left to do

is a Thai massage

lulling me into the state

of deep relaxation.

and fly home.

 “Flute Man”

Standing on the trail along the river

He plays his wooden flute

giving me a recital for this podcast

Thank you Robert

Take care

©MartinStrasmore2023