[Thespiritexpress] Poem read at the Solstice Gathering

[Richard Rasmussen]

Yum! Intimate articulation from the loving knowing in the heart of Spirit House. 
Sent from my iPhone

> On Jun 25, 2024, at 00:09, balldinger via Thespiritexpress <thespiritexpress at lists.mcn.org> wrote:
> 
> 
> So beautiful. So gracious. So loving and kind.
> 
> Thank you for sharing this in writing, Toni. It moved me to tears the other night when you read it.
> 
> I look forward to your reading this coming Saturday.
> 
> ~ Ed
> 
> 
> 
> Sent from my Verizon, Samsung Galaxy smartphone
> 
> 
> -------- Original message --------
> From: Toni Bernbaum via Thespiritexpress <thespiritexpress at lists.mcn.org>
> Date: 6/24/24 10:33 PM (GMT-08:00)
> To: thespiritexpress at lists.mcn.org
> Cc: Toni Bernbaum <tonijean at mcn.org>
> Subject: [Thespiritexpress] Poem read at the Solstice Gathering
> 
> Thank you Marc for requesting a copy of the poem I wrote for Ron and read at the Solstice Gathering here in Spirit House last Saturday.
> 
> And if you are interested in MORE poetry……I am honored and excited to be one of the two featured readers this Saturday, June 29th at 4:00 pm
>  at the Mendocino Art Center…..open mic to follow.
> 
> Would love to see you there!!
> With love……Toni
> 
> 
> 
> 
> Perspective
> 
> Under an old oak tree
> we sit in the movement of branches-
> our faces lit in dappled sun.
> 65 years old today
> you toggle between light and dark
> determined to face your greatest fear -
> be who you always sensed 
> yourself to be.
> 
> You, who remembers 
> the boy still alive inside you, toes filled 
> with mud, knee high in the marsh
> of the San Joaquin river,
> feather in your hand, lavender fog 
> in your yellow hair,
> dreaming of deep diving treasure hunt adventures - 
> baiting your hook in the promise of life
> without ever considering the failures
> awaiting you.
> 
> You understood the language of clouds,
> the wisdom of driftwood, how to navigate by the stars, 
> and find the the hidden places where moss and mushrooms grew.
> 
> Without knowing 
> you were already bending 
> with the pull of the moon
> adjusting to the tides of expectations
> turning within you.
> 
> Now you arrive here
> having lost everything you worked for
> to face the meaning of your existence,
> using your time now
> to know who you are,
> to reflect back into the pond of your life, 
> to learn about forgiveness, 
> and how useless it is 
> to resist anything, defend or hide.
> 
> Today, you remember your ancestors….
> You are the great grandfather now!
> You shake your head with wonder
> at all you survived.
> 
> Wisps of silver hair
> float in the grateful breeze
> for the blessings of family and friends, 
> and the richness in life.
> 
> In this wholehearted nakedness
> of what was nearly forgotten
> you reclaim your birthright
> to grow in love, no matter what -
> to let the past advise
> but no longer define you.
> 
> It’s just as you suspected.
> It was never what you were told. 
> 
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