Poems? Okay, poems!

I said I would be busy with school. So, I promised you, months ago, I would check back in.

Well, this is me checking back in. First off, what a wonderful experience I have had with the New York Zen Center’s Contemplative Care program!! I didn’t have any idea what I was getting into last year, but honestly: Do any of us ever know exactly what we’re doing? I’m glad I stumbled into this “carepartnering” adventure. Learning what that term means, summarizes it pretty well - meeting folks where they are, being present, listening, letting go…..and more than I can explain using everyday words, as imperfect as those can be.

Speaking of words - One of the requirements of the NYZC program was to do a Final Project. It could be eight minutes of anything that showed what we learned, so, I chose to read six poems that I wrote. I felt really encouraged by the warm reception I received.

(Yes, I’m still painting too - thanks to a secret project I’m working on - shhhhhh, more later!)

Recently I got the opportunity to do it again - reading poems in downtown Portland at the “Field Notes” Verdancy Project event. It was an honor to read alongside such talented people.

After both events, I was asked “how can I read your poems?” Here’s one way —

REFLECTED LIGHT

a poetry zine with 20 pages of poems on the theme of our belonging to nature and the cosmos, plus a few meditative circle drawings, by me

featuring:
nightwalking - the gift - you and I - undermountain - separated - becoming - river - coffee grounds - wonders - your heart - sun/bird - summer - moon

(Oh yeah I want one)

Here’s another way: You can always read along as I keep them uploaded to my [newly updated!] poetry page. One summer project I have is to post some recordings of my reading them aloud.

You can also hear, and see, me reading “Your Heart” right here. What fun!

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Life’s been full of inspiration. The “tiny people standing underneath huge trees” imagery somehow won’t leave me alone. I added another interpretation of that with a bit of psychedelic 70’s flavor.

NINE - THE RITUAL
One from each of the nine tribes gather for the final moonlit ritual beneath the tree of life.

Acrylic on canvas, 16 x 20 inches.

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Here’s hoping your summer is full of all things good!

Keep in touch…… (Facebook, Bluesky)