They say that light sprouted like a seed from the dark soil of the Big Bang. Slow to emerge, it shone to crescendo, then scattered itself to black winds. Like a pappus blown, cypsela spread, it stretches now, milky limbed, across the velvet sky, while we below are blown about, specks of dust— we used to shine so bright.
Lisa, my life would be dimmer without your poems and prompt each week. I am amazed at your ability to be present wherever and whatever you are, and bring forth a poem of such lyrical beauty. What a gift you share so graciously with us all. I'm struck how your poem brings me to Joni Mitchell's song Woodstock; "we are stardust, we are golden, and we have to get back to the garden." Thank you for bringing that splendid song back to me!
This poem came right this moment lying awake in a hospital bed and hoping all the tests are done, especially the MRI. It also came after listening to Lisa speak her poem and reading and listening to an incredible poem and song from Chen Rafaeli, linked above.
Flashing lights and mysterious beeps
High tech tunnels and techno sounds
Thumping intrusively into my brain. Eyes closed, I make rhythms to calm
Larry, Larry, Larry! I’m so sorry to hear you’re having to go through these tests. I hope very much that the results are all as good as they possibly can be - and I’m sending you a piece of my heart either way. Medical issues can be such a bumpy ride - with lots of “drifting from the light within,” as you so beautifully put it. I hope whatever you’re going through and whatever your path is from here, you find yourself surprised by unexpected light right when you need it. ❤️
Thank you Lisa! Some of that light comes shining through in your comment and your kindness, I am home and waiting on results of one more test, but it looks it is not as serious as it possibly could have been. And bright light throughout was the extraordinary kindness and competence of the entire medical team that I interacted with. Thank you for keeping me in your heart! ❤️
I really appreciate your poem and appreciate it origination. it made me think of this quote matter is nothing but Frozen light.... The first three stances are just wonderful thank you for sharing
What an extraordinary song and poem. I'm lying in a hospital bed unable to sleep, and the beauty and soulful lyricism of your poem lightened my heart. Thank you!
For this one, I played around with how I view a special person in my life. It feels like I do a lot of drawing from just one pocket, or the other, but have a hard time seeing the whole picture. I belabored an earlier version of the poem for about a week before this one suddenly came to me this morning.
Lisa, my life would be dimmer without your poems and prompt each week. I am amazed at your ability to be present wherever and whatever you are, and bring forth a poem of such lyrical beauty. What a gift you share so graciously with us all. I'm struck how your poem brings me to Joni Mitchell's song Woodstock; "we are stardust, we are golden, and we have to get back to the garden." Thank you for bringing that splendid song back to me!
And my life would be dimmer without your comments, Larry! I’m so glad we found each other here.
This poem came right this moment lying awake in a hospital bed and hoping all the tests are done, especially the MRI. It also came after listening to Lisa speak her poem and reading and listening to an incredible poem and song from Chen Rafaeli, linked above.
Flashing lights and mysterious beeps
High tech tunnels and techno sounds
Thumping intrusively into my brain. Eyes closed, I make rhythms to calm
The roaring beast inside
Urging me to flee.
I count the minutes until the
Fluorescent light pierces my eyes.
Strange how a place of a thousand lights
Can hold so much darkness.
Or is it me who has drifted
From the light within
The sure fire map to a mountainous
hope,
That brought me through the shadows
Puncturing my joy.
Devoid of a heart glow in this place
that never sleeps,
And find the most beautiful poems
and poets, surrounded with song
bringing light to this darkness once again.
Larry, Larry, Larry! I’m so sorry to hear you’re having to go through these tests. I hope very much that the results are all as good as they possibly can be - and I’m sending you a piece of my heart either way. Medical issues can be such a bumpy ride - with lots of “drifting from the light within,” as you so beautifully put it. I hope whatever you’re going through and whatever your path is from here, you find yourself surprised by unexpected light right when you need it. ❤️
Thank you Lisa! Some of that light comes shining through in your comment and your kindness, I am home and waiting on results of one more test, but it looks it is not as serious as it possibly could have been. And bright light throughout was the extraordinary kindness and competence of the entire medical team that I interacted with. Thank you for keeping me in your heart! ❤️
🧡🧡🧡
my nod goes to miles:
“You should never be comfortable, man. Being comfortable fouled up a lot of musicians” – Miles Davis
Sweet!
Dont aim for cozy.
It takes all your color out.
Sight cozy, push left
"Sight cozy, push left" - I love this!
It is delightful to find one of your poems, Chuck!
I really appreciate your poem and appreciate it origination. it made me think of this quote matter is nothing but Frozen light.... The first three stances are just wonderful thank you for sharing
Thank you, Chris! And wow, "matter is nothing but frozen light" - beautiful!
Love the poem Lisa, there is something extraordinary about how we are both.
Thank you, Shondra! There really is . . . the challenge (for me at least) is to remember both!
coincidentally
https://chenrafaeli.substack.com/p/litany
Wow wow wow!
feel undeserving yet thank you so much✨💫
(I know that pockets' fable..it's much harder to do than it seems....I think I wrote once a clumsy something about that.
Thank you for the poem, Lisa-and for the reminder)
What an extraordinary song and poem. I'm lying in a hospital bed unable to sleep, and the beauty and soulful lyricism of your poem lightened my heart. Thank you!
Thank you so much, Larry -it means a lot. More than I can express. I hope you feel better soon
Thank you Chen! I look forward to reading and hearing more.
Beautiful!
Thank you so much, dear!
Love your poem expressing how you see things with your eyes open.
Not taking away from your vision but I see light much differently.
Thank you, Jim! If you care to share, I’d love to hear more about how you see it.
For this one, I played around with how I view a special person in my life. It feels like I do a lot of drawing from just one pocket, or the other, but have a hard time seeing the whole picture. I belabored an earlier version of the poem for about a week before this one suddenly came to me this morning.
.
Vital Signs
.
Maybe I am too close to you
to see how your pieces
fit together—can only hold
one at a time
.
like a specialist holds a foot,
a shoulder, a heart
.
Where there is a field
in soft color, fertile
fundamentally benign
.
I zoom to the low flags
snapping at the horizon
.
My training tells me to look
for what’s wrong. But please
let me also hear the music
of you, the thumping beat,
the footsteps and laughter
.
and other parts that make
a whole, and do not keep me
up at night