Saturday, November 4, 2017

EARTH AND SKY



Water comes first, then we follow,
gasp in a big breath of air, and then we cry.
Thus we are introduced to the world
as it always was and always will be.
Water: essential, blessed,
part of our beings from our very first day.

Through the Sacred Medicine Wheel I journeyed,
dipped my toes in a magical sea,
soul thrumming with the song of the waves.
My sign, my element, my spirit's home:
Mother Ocean.

Above, the sky, the air, the vast expanse,
curving over all
the great blue bowl of aether,
underfoot, the earth, brown and humble
and mothering.

I bow to you, Sky, I sing with you, Wind,
I dance in the rain, laughing
at the great clap of thunder,
feel the rushing whoosh of wind on my face,
raindrops falling on my spirit,
cleansing me anew,
healing the riven places, washing
all negative energy away.

When I am clean, 
when the Great Bowl Above grows dark,
I creep homeward, 
settle beside a crackling fire,
remember the winking stars, 
the great wheeling seabirds,
wonder at the beauty gracing this span of time 
that is still mine.

To the earth I bow, in gratitude, 
in homecoming. 
It waits to receive me
when that final moment comes,
when I will become one
with All That Is.

First, there was water,
at the end
only earth and sky.


One from 2015, to be shared with the Poetry Pantry at Poets United, where there is fine reading every Sunday morning.

22 comments:

  1. It's so important that we are just a part of earth, but sometimes I fell that we have forgotten. Maybe the earth will forget about us too.

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  2. A wonderful piece, a reminder about how vast and special this life and world is.

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  3. That is such an important message. Thanks for that. Have a great week end.

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  4. I like the way you have paid homage to water, earth, and sky! A very peaceful and meditative poem. Beautiful writing, Sherry.

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  5. I would love to play and dance in the rain. It rained her most of the day, though was quite cold as well.

    Your connection to nature, to the elements is very apparent in your words. One day we will find that relief and release of becoming a part of those elements for the next generation.

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  6. What a gift this life is to feel, enjoy and be a part of this world! So beautifully you've put this, Sherry!

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  7. the last verse is very powerful.. the elements ruling our lives from beginning to end.

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  8. Once again you tell the truth about our world and the need to conserve and preserve natures balance that if broken will see many years of destruction whilst a few make money for a short while. Sadly politicians represent vested interests more than the voters.

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  9. feel very much in tune with you Sherry - our poems are synchronous though there is more light in your words - and especially love
    "To the earth I bow, in gratitude,
    in homecoming.
    It waits to receive me
    when that final moment comes,
    when I will become one
    with All That Is."

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  10. Oh! how wonderful it would be to be in tune with nature and all its glory!

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  11. This is beautiful!❤️ Especially love; "I bow to you, Sky, I sing with you, Wind, I dance in the rain, laughing
    at the great clap of thunder,feel the rushing whoosh of wind on my face,
    raindrops falling on my spirit,cleansing me anew,healing the riven places, washing all negative energy away."❤️

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  12. I enjoyed this gratitude very much Sherry. I love the feeling of nature through it all. It was quite an experience for me this morning. Thank you.

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  13. It's gray and chilly in NYC at the moment, still... after reading your fourth stanza, my heart wishes for rain and thunder.

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  14. I like the great bowl above, It is like that isn't it! A new way of looking at the sky!

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  15. Sherry this is incredible...like a prayer...a reverence for earth, water and sky. I recently visited the ocean again and had such a homecoming, a poem poured forth that will be on my blog this month...you brought me to tears with....

    'When I am clean,
    when the Great Bowl Above grows dark,
    I creep homeward,
    settle beside a crackling fire,
    remember the winking stars,
    the great wheeling seabirds,
    wonder at the beauty gracing this span of time
    that is still mine.'

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  16. Very lovely poem, full of meaning.the earth, sky, waters...so holy.

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  17. yes we are filling such a humble spot in the scheme of existence, thanks for your wise words Sherry

    Happy you dropped by my blog today

    much love...

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  18. In the future it is predicted that wars will be fought over water as the earth dries up.

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  19. Another fantastic write, Sherry. That communion with nature that you speak to, in this piece, is visceral and fundamental. Sadly, modernity has placed it outside of the realm of most of humankind. It is a tragic loss - a loss, I fear, we are paying ... and will continue to pay ... a terrible price for.

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  20. Glad you reposted this one. It makes me appreciate what we still have - our water, nature. It also makes me reflect on that final reunion with all.

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