River of Unknowns

 

courtesy of Pixabay

Once upon a shamanic dream,
I saw and traveled a sky river
it took me to a sanctuary of splendor
luscious greenery with hints of pines
cherry trees and roses in full bloom
birdsong filled the air,  bees and butterflies
waltzed in the magic of wildflowers...

I thought how had I arrived in this paradise
and in my heart the sky river meant beauty

Now, when I hear the words sky river, I think
atmospheric cloudburst with torrential rains
opening its mouth, flooding the most vulnerable
regions, battering the landscape with mudslides
streets filling with water, people evacuating
their homes with precious few belongings
in search of a sanctuary...

 I wonder if the sky river of my dreams
still exists or has the portal of time shifted
with prevailing winds.. . vanishing
in the eye of the storms

how do we sail or paddle these rivers
of increasing intensity...how do we find
our lost way home to paradise in a world
of layered unknowns..

do we build a community arc
to ride into the future...
pray for a miracle to see us through

written for earthweal
hosted by Brendan
write a poem inspired by the work of Jorie Graham

author's note:  This is based in part on
one of my dreams. I have been watching
the news regarding the atmospheric storms
that have been hammering the west coast...

Making Tracks Will the River Crack

Walking along the river's edge in solitude, I close my eyes in the morning light. Inhale the freshness of the pines, let peace flow through my soul. Opening my heart, keeping my dreams alive, in hopes they will never die.  Making tracks with my winter boots leaving imprints in the quest. A red tailed hawk flies overhead,  telling me there is nothing to dread.  It's time to change perspective to see beyond frozen choppy waters.  I wrap threads of soft blue wool around my neck, keeping me warm on a cold day. 

The remains of yesterday swirl,  left over snowflakes, not the kind made from scissors and paper.  The kind that dance upon your eyelashes to the song of a misty day. I've seen the parade of souls marching to a sacred drum they came in various forms singing ancient songs. Sometimes,  they make quite the clatter as if to say did their  life really matter?  How many miles did they paddle in their canoes to find a place of heart?  In silence, I make my way home.

frozen life harsh cold
river slumbers in winter
dreaming of spring thaw

author's note: written for dVerse
Haibun Monday - Solitude

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Thank you for visiting

Peace, light and love always

River-Keeper

There's a place where the river flows
hawks perched watch those below
travelers dip their wooden paddles
mystical songs, turtle rattles

Eagle spirit soars above

drifting around the river bend
dreaming of messages to send
guarding waters, the river-keeper
spiritual quests must run deeper

Tree spirits line the shore

apparitions move soundlessly
blessing waters to run endlessly
ride the current, follow the signs
beyond grey skies, harmony aligns

Reflections - water is life

River of my Soul

Embarking on a soul journey

paddling my canoe down river

to a place I have seen before

carrying a bow and quivers

I have sojourned  these waters

in my endless dreams...

Tis here the honey colored moon

plants kisses on tall green pines

as the sun gently bids goodnight

searching for you, exploring signs

I have sojourned these waters

in my endless dreams...

Following a shooting star

light shining across a night sky

drifting into the depth of my soul

I have stood on mossy riverbanks

the water lilies and I have grieved

in patience and stillness waited

with each drumbeat, I believed

I have sojourned these waters

in my endless dreams...

Slicing through mighty rapids

riding currents, paddles ready

red tail hawk, flies overhead

calming my heart,  be steady

I have sojourned these waters

in my endless dreams...

Following a shooting star

light shining across a night sky

drifting into the depth of my soul

Brother bear dances for me

to the  shaman healing song

as I float with red salmon

mystic haze, trees march along

I have sojourned these waters

in my endless dreams...

leave your moccasins behind

come run barefoot with me

marking trails, leaving imprints

for seven generations to see

I have sojourned these waters

in my endless dream...

following a shooting star

light shining across a night sky

drifting into the depth of my soul

  

for Poets United writing River Poems

photo courtesy National Geographic.com

Until the River Meets the Sea

until the river bends

and I drift into the sea

in my heart you'll always be

love a mystery that never ends

laid my dreams in a river bed

heartache, silent ripples of loss

skipping stones with just one toss

recalling all the words we said

riding  waves through eternity

rolling off shorelines of paradise

tossed in the waters of sacrifice

seeking a piece of serenity

until the river bends

and I drift into the sea

in my heart you'll always be

love a mystery that never ends

lulled to sleep, by a mariner's song

billowing sails of tranquility

verses of poetic sensibility

tears wept for a love so strong

beacon of light flickers ahead

parting  clouds ,  sun does shine

slowly giving birth in a river bed

those wondrous dreams of mine

until the river bends

and I drift into the sea

in my heart you'll always be

love a mystery that never ends

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Thanks for reading...
pic - unknown source