STARSHINE AND SPIRIT-SPEAK

photo by Kori @ Heart of Vancouver Island

Open the window, so the spirits of the dying

can fly out and away, into the starry night.

May the song of the spheres serenade their passage,

moonglow illuminate the opening in the veil

between their new world and ours.

Watch the early morning light 

slowly outline the rosy mountains,

then faintly tinge the sky 

with the pink of promise: 

a new day begins, for we, the living.

This moment, as every moment,

all of the waters of the world

are traveling in riversong to the sea,

bearing life along its precipitous passage,

down the mountain slopes,

plunging over falls,

pooling in quiet eddies,

till finally it reaches the ocean's roar

and finds itself home again,

on tomorrow's shore. 

There be spirits here. Come walk 

in the ancient forest with me.

Hear Brother Wind whispering the shaman's song

softly through the branches of Grandfather Cedar.

If you listen closely, you will hear 

him speak.

He knows those who are lost, 

those who have journeyed on,

those who will return again. 

He will bring the touch 

of the one you have loved so well

on the evening breeze.

When the puff of wind touches your cheek,

know it was sent to you with love

from the spirit world,

to gently dry your tears.

from May 2015 posted for the Poetry Pantry at Poets United.