What harbinger is this
and why am I not convinced?
Cynicism wants concretes,
feeds complaints,
exaggerates,
retreats
Need to confront
this wall-building,
fight to retain
Spirit’s message –
deescalate fear’s grip.
(For Reena’s Exploration challenge#119. Image from personal collection.)
Scarred existence
seeks a patience
born of peace
Cannot find the path
tainted ruts of blood
line a minefield.
(Poem originally appeared on Twitter. Visit me @Vjknutson. Image from personal collection.)
Was that really me
fought for feminine rights,
eleven-years-old
persistent to the win?
And was that me
lied about her age
strapped on work clothes
bore responsibility?
And did you know her
that obstinate teen
who defied tradition
and chased an education?
Where did she go,
a faint memory now,
how life tamed her,
taught her subservience
to bury her light
in the shadow of men’s
dreams, that toil should be
selfless, and love for other.
Listen, and you will hear
her echo, faint but growing,
the sound of a mind burning,
the laughter of a soul on fire.
(For Reena’s Exploration challenge: Was that really me?, and Eugi’s Weekly prompt: laughter. Image from personal collection.)
Aged and well worn –
history and family
have left their marks –
weakness surfaces.
I tug at the imaginary
unravel essential core –
hearts burdened hide
gilded truths
Uncovering, a collaborative task
housing a trove of potential –
optimism and hope within,
always more room for growth.
(Image from personal collection)
Fragile, this existence –
landings temporaneous,
change commanding
continuation, journey
perpetual – moments
alone offer fulfillment –
treasure each precious one.
(Christmas and a cold have worn me down, so I am withdrawing to rest. I do have a few scheduled posts, and will check in from time to time. Wishing you all peace for the holiday season, and no doubt will be back before the New Year.)
How a single ray of light
slips through a thicket
setting a leafy row ablaze,
How the kingfisher’s trill
echoes off the silken waters,
How our love remains despite
the ills that pursue us –
Glorious mystery.
(Image from personal collection.)
As light in darkness
transforms mundanity, so
too am I salvaged –
revelation turning back
the icy pallor of Winter.
(Tanka borrowed from a previous post on One Woman’s Quest II: Resetting the Dial. I have given the poem a title here. Image from personal collection.)
Fear finds its fortune in ignorance,
cashes in on hate – set the dial to love
weed through propaganda, decode
the depraved, aim to rise above
education and openness, mechanisms
leading to a lasting treasure.
(Image from personal collection.)
I am Earth
Giver of life
aligned with elements
both protect and ravage
all bear scars
this is the process
I am Mother
womb and tomb
be thankful.
(Tuesdays, I borrow a poem from my Twitter account @Vjknutson. Photo from personal collection.)
Flagrant this disregard,
this blatant indifference
I have come before you
broken and desperate
and been received with
loving compassion, openness.
“It was not I who abandoned you” –
the words still echo in my heart.
In shame, I hang head, vow
to prepare my spiritual bowl
to resurrect a prayerful practice
to know once again the light,
the life that fulfills when
self is offered up as instrument.
(Ragtag community has offered the word “flagrant” as prompt today. I have been carrying around scraps of ideas for Reena’s Exploration challenge – featured image. This poem emerged. I do not consider myself affiliated with a specific religious body, but I do consider myself a woman of deep spiritual faith.)
One Woman's Quest 