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Wednesday, March 20, 2024

Song for Solstice


Granddog Chloe, now in the spirit world,
on the tombolo at Chesterman Beach



With all of the things you have learned
from your long journeying,
with all of your heartache
that taught you to love and to cry,
and with all of your dreaming
that helped you to live,
with that same loving heart and merry laugh
that has brought you to the ocean's shore,
come out at dusk and celebrate
the full cold moon
at the place where the tide
kisses the tombolo,
then runs away, laughing.

Yesterday morning's dawn
approached as pink and fresh
as a young maiden
singing the new day in.
Tonight shows itself
as a wise old woman with knowing smile,
tapping her cane and hobbling.
But she still remembers her dancing feet,
she remembers,
and, in her heart, she is still dancing
across the beloved landscape
with joy.

You grew your soul
all green with wilderness
and wild with wolf-breath,
in a forest of great and ancient tree beings
breathing peace.
You owe them your every breath,
each one their gift to us.

The journey has been astonishing, magical;
it has brought you here,
to the edge of the sea.
And now you are looking at
those far, snow-capped mountains.
The echo of the heron's call
and wild wolfsong at midnight
will keep you here a while.

The tree trunks you hug
breathe their smiles at you; they whisper,
"we waited for you, friend,
for all these many years."

The sea sings your soul-song,
the only song you ever knew.
It sang you out of the desert
and over the mountain pass
to the wild shores of Clayoquot Sound.
It has carried you so far,
and it is singing, still.

Come out at dusk to meet me
in the lengthening light,
 in the place where
the tide kisses the tombolo,
then runs away, laughing.
Let earth and sky
inform your grateful heart
that, finally and forever,
you are Home.


An older poem, in celebration of the Spring Equinox on March 19th.  The tombolo is a strip of sand connecting the shore with Frank Island, seen in the background. When the tide is high, this area is covered as waves from either side meet each other.

7 comments:

  1. Great trip to the sea, and I love that dog!

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  2. What a beautiful solstice poem, Sherry!

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  3. My goodness, this poem is beautiful as is the journey. I don't think I have read this before. The visuals are amazing. Too many wonderful lines. But, the following touches me deeply. The wilderness brings comfort to the soul.

    ‘You grew your soul all green with wilderness

    Truedessa

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  4. "Tonight shows itself
    as a wise old woman with knowing smile,
    tapping her cane and hobbling." Ah, what she remembers and experiences could teach wisdom to the world. I love this poem!

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  5. The most beautiful poem Sherry, it is etched on my heart 🐚💜

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  6. I love this song, mi amiga. It expresses and paints a picture in my 'mind's eye' all much of the scenery and living Nature, i too cherish. Gracias for sharing your spirit and heart~ Tu amigo, Marcoantonio Arellano {nene-lifewhispers)

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  7. I'd never heard of the Tombolo. Very lovely and such a sweet little granddog! The full cold moon is shining in my window as I write.

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