Oasis

I am not really a city person.  I remember when I was little, my grandpa talking about "city slickers" and "country bumpkins".  I was definitely the latter.  One of the things I was really adamant about when considering moving to my city was that I at least have some green space.  I got that in spades and have so much gratitude!

I

my backyard!

 
The view from my back porch, 
where I sit to let the stuff of the day fall out of my head.

Back up the path...

to The Little House!

Rough Draft

I wrote this poem at the laundry mat yesterday and it may not be done but I want to share it.

At the Washtenaw Coin Laundry

I love this town and all its colors
so many shades of black and brown and tan
on skins and eyes and hair and hands
accents that come from     I know not where
languages lilting lyrical lullabies
myriad mantras
so many gods    all one
All One
cultures not clashing
not shocking me
only calling to my eyes and ears
with whispers of lands I'll never see
secrets of souls
swishes of fabric and whiffs of oil
spices speak sustenance
words awaken wonder
music exciting in mixed-up modes
drifts from windows where
kitchens sit with laden bread
always a table to be filled with old places
a landscape of different
aromas  abundant      call back in time
ancestral  answers     gifting with grace
a smile touching eyes
gives me welcome without words
human-ness beyond language
beyond any perception
of not-like-me

I Did It!

Yay! I read in a poetry reading last night! I was very nervous.  I feel like I did a good job, though.  I got compliments.  It was funny, some people told me I seemed really relaxed, like I had done it before but during the first two poems, it felt so surreal. I wasn't sure the words were really coming out.  After that, I felt better and by the time I read the last one I was comfy and wanted to read more.  I'm so glad I got out and did this.  It was a huge and necessary boost in my self-esteem.  The fact that I dragged myself up in front of those people, then shared some personal writings, was so brave for me.  Then having people tell me they liked what I wrote, that was amazing.  It's hard to know what other people will relate to till you give them the chance.  This is yet another reason I love Ypsilanti.  There were no cool poetry groups in Wixom (where I used to live).  The people who came are such a wonderful group.  I love listening to the other poets.  I'm always amazed- wow! how did she think of that?  And the way some people use language is surprising and exciting.  It's inspiring and makes me want to work more at writing and think even further outside the box.  It's great to be in an inspiring environment that's friendly and supportive.  I have big gratitude to this group, to Beezy's for letting us read there, and especially to Theresa who organizes it.  I encourage everyone to get out and share your writing.  I guess that's what we're all doing here.  So another big thank you to anyone who reads my blog! 

Relay for Life

  I love my town!  I recently moved to Ypsilanti MI and will write more about my great city in the future.  I live near a park where a lot of local events are held so we get to listen to the music all summer.  A few weeks ago, the Relay for Life came to the park.  I love this event!  If your life hasn't been touched by cancer in some way, you're very fortunate. This is a beautiful fund-raiser that is very community-based.  There was such great music and such a wonderful energy in the park that day!  I watched them into the night, battling fatigue and mosquitoes, walking still when I went to sleep.  I was very moved and went inside and wrote this poem:

Just Before Midnight

  Amid the song of a soulful night bird

and the scent of a damp, happy willow

across the sound of the Huron gliding by

     I watch

On a path encircling the park

surrounded by luminaria

    they walk

They walk for their family,

their friends, themselves

for memory and the chance of anticipation,

for dreams cut short and those made possible

The path beneath their feet,

on any other day  like any other path

is, for this time, a sacred space of healing and unity

it's a circle of community

of shared grief and triumph

of support and understanding

of true empathy

This walk is for warriors

these are people who live life up-close

and with eyes wide open

because they know how fleeting a gift this is

and how graciously given

These are warriors of grace and vulnerability

who know what it means to love ferociously

the strength that takes, and that which it gives

They have come here through moments

of intense contemplation, through new

rearranged priorities, with changed

worldviews, and open hearts

They bring colorful tents and coolers

are served midnight pizza

have music to move them along

but my favorite is the laughter-

that audible evidence of joy

shared one to another

These warriors come here as

humanity at its best

they come to do for others

to raise awareness and give voice to the silent

to celebrate life, having learned what that really means

They come with faith in themselves

and in one another

because they know they can make a difference

and they do.

*Added 6/16/10- If you know anyone who takes part in the Relay for Life, please feel free to copy this poem and share it with them.  It's a small thank you from me to everyone who participates in this great event.