Dear colleagues -
Nature nods her head and blossoms spring forth worms bring a i r to solid earth the dew kisses baby birds with open hungry mouths space opens for every being every leaf and every rock connected we humans dance around on this rolling planet touching feeling inviting witnessing we open space to sit to breathe to breathe to remember in circles, one with Nature I write the poem above in honor of our new Poet Laureate. Trees, please shake your leaves in applause, as I announce that.... Ms. Karen Sella is the writer of poem #1, "Open Space for Cats and Dogs", and the new Poet Laureate of our OSLIST community Ms. Fabulous and Poetic Sella will hold this title for the next six months or so, holding space for poetry on the list by inviting, noticing, inspiring, offering poetry.whatever is her unique way. And at the end of that six months or so she will host another restricted form poetry contest .and so the tradition continues. We pass the leafy crown to you, Ms. Sella, with the deepest of bows. Here again are the seven amazing poems inspired by nature and Open Space, and now, the talented, thoughtful mystery poets will be revealed. What a wonderful thing to have people like you in our world. ________________________________________ #1 I walk through fragrant blue sky Bare feet on wet grass. It is too cold for bare feet, But my teachers have taught me well. Who can resist a noisy yawn and a warm wiggle first thing in the morning? To greet each dawn and each other with a curious heart. To be mesmerized by the smallest motion. To breathe the air, the earth. To inhale the stories in each blade of grass. To forgo the coffee and drink the dew. To listen for what can't be heard. To bathe in light and nap awake in the middle of the day. Is to arrive fully alive. Forget the honey, taste the bee. I have but one question: When the butterfly lands on my nose, can I eat it? Entitled: Open Space for Cats and Dogs -- Karen Sella ___ #2 Nero, they say, fiddled his empire to flame. And Nemo ruled the watery underworld so deep. I prefer our posted sessions and spirits to name Above water, ever fiery, still moving, to keep. -- Ralph Copleman ___ #3 Smell the ripplering of the temple bells as the bumblecat strapped with a slice of toasted (w)oneder bread devilishly buttered with dancing Goan ghee uses its wingpaws and doesn't quite fall splat onto the groundless ground of the agora -- Raffi Aftandelian ___ #4 pacific coast glowing gray in fog. sea lions shout their lazy tales. and here along the moist forest trail el dorado appears: a small grove of pine dripping with gold. paper thin flakes, tarnished with black: a thousand gently resting butterflies. we witness this treasure because they have followed the law of two wings for a thousand miles. -- Jeff Aitken ___ #5 Opening Active stillness. A squirrel sniffing the air and looking around curiously. A flurry of activity. Leaves blowing in autumn winds. Drifting. Clouds moving gently across the sky. Sensing movement. A flock of birds sensitive to the currents of wind. Jarring confusion. A sudden storm that seems to strike from nowhere. Calm acceptance. A lake on a calm sunny day. Moving from one place to the next - opening to all experience - opening to others. -- Nancy Wells ___ #6 a fallen flower flew back to its branch! no, it was a butterfly or was it a bumblebee? -- Kerry Napuk ___ #7 It's the bells, It must be! As always my heart beats faster, My body trembles. Through my teary eyes, I see the Spirit! -- Elwin Guild Happy amongst your thoughtful words, Lisa ___________________________ L i s a H e f t Consultant, Facilitator, Educator O p e n i n g S p a c e <mailto:lisah...@openingspace.net> lisah...@openingspace.net <http://www.openingspace.net> www.openingspace.net * * ========================================================== osl...@listserv.boisestate.edu ------------------------------ To subscribe, unsubscribe, change your options, view the archives of osl...@listserv.boisestate.edu: http://listserv.boisestate.edu/archives/oslist.html To learn about OpenSpaceEmailLists and OSLIST FAQs: http://www.openspaceworld.org/oslist