I almost never feel alone, but today I did, and not in the good way of silence and solitude that I usually embrace. Today I questioned my path, my purpose, my meaning. It’s been a ragged day, the kind we need from time to time to foster growth. And then Russ Donda, a reader of the blog, introduced me to Beth Anne Boardman on Facebook and I discovered this stunningly perfect poem on her blog dancingwolf.blogspot.com. My eyes filled with tears and I was transported back into the beauty of the mystery of this dance of life. Thank you Beth Anne. Thank you Russ.
by beth anne boardman
when raven calls
my heart thrills
as if to a lover’s –
his throaty voice
floats across the silence,
seems a private note
between us….
•
memory transports me
to the lip of
an echoing red stone canyon
in the sheer predawn….
or the edge of a hopi mesa
preceremony….
then
raven’s voice seemed to
summon the dancers —
cue the singers
with their rattles and bells….
what glorious magic
has unfolded for me over the years,
when i took raven’s cue
to pause and listen….
•
last year
raven called me
to an assignation
with solitude….
i ran from him —
oh i was in such a hurry to live….
this time
i listen….
this time, raven,
your call reminds me
how intimately i know
the curves of your black feathers
the firmness of your claws….
i remember the
power of solitude –
i step into it
as naturally as i step into
my garments, of a morning…..
its velvet swirl
encircles me
oh, i know these steps
this compelling, dangerous dance….
•
ah, but i remember
raven’s sacred tricks!
i feel him laughing when i sink
into the illusion of aloneness….
when actually,
the graces of the universe
dance around me….
atoms riot within me….
oh i,
who feel so proficient
in this solitary walk,
am the center of a circle
of generous beings
clamoring for my notice
night and day….
from the cells living within me
to the spiders in my garden,
to the breadth of the spirit world
that holds me…..
•
raven calls:
throw off your cloak of aloneness!
know your pockets are filled
with the unimaginable riches
of the universe….
your very touch teems
with beings…..
your every ragged breath embraced….
•
oh love
this time
i respond
with upwelling joy….
©2012 beth anne boardman
Perfect.
I knew you would love it. I thought of you when I read it.
“from the cells living within me, to the spiders in my garden” …I LOVE it! Life really does shout out to us from everywhere. We just need to listen. But I understand how you feel. Some days it’s just hard to convince ourselves that that is enough.
It is a truly beautiful poem, isn’t it? It came to me when I needed the reminder. A real blessing. All art is so important. It reminds us we’re connected in ways we don’t remember until we experience the sensation in a work of art: a poem, a painting, a song, a movie, a novel…
I agree totally Jeane! I keep scrapbooks of my favourite poems and images…and I have some of my favourite movies on my ipod! They all provide company, or solace, when needed.
Yes, that sense that we are so much more than we realize much of the time. The transcendent mystery of this life. Lovely that we have art to communicate on that level.
oh jeane — your photographs are *so beautiful* with this poem! what deep joy you’ve given me, *thank you!* so much love to you dear sister….!
I’m so happy you like the photos Beth Anne. Your poem is so beautiful! Thank you for allowing me to share it.