Morning Songs

I watched the sun rise again this morning.

Cloud streamers illumined the sky.

“A surprise party!” Crow cawed,

(For those of us awake to the moment unfolding)

“Open your ears and gather 'round—

Today is here, wake up now!”

Downy Woodpecker’s steady beat

Instructed my heart to listen closely,

“For anything is possible in a day.”

Black Capped Chickadee called to his mate,

“Where are you?

Ayekha?

Are you there? 

Pay attention,” he insists,

“Or you risk missing the joy

Of your Beloved’s reply.”

Then just above the horizon

And deep within the rhythmic

Pulsing of my own breast,

I waited...

Patiently...

.......

(For a few moments)........... 

......................

Through the building symphony 

Of Robin and even that raucous Flicker

(Telling jokes again)

Wishing with my whole being for Hermit Thrush

To sing to my soul with ethereal clarity,

(In the way only she can)

But she did not arrive.

It is still a bit early in the season for her angelic aria.

Instead my own spirit sang

And this was my morning song.

For more poetry visit:

One Shot Wednesday 

The song, my song is a nigun I recorded for the Khanti Healing Circle @ Dharma Sister's Circle (heart-child of my dear friend Janice Lynne Lundy). It was part of this week's invitation to Sing a Song of Comfort "a practice that for me is often the most loving way to soothe and heal myself of all. I sing softly with my eyes closed, a mother offering a lullaby to my child-self…or maybe I am the child singing to my Mother? One could say this is a wordless soul-song from self to the Beloved and from the Beloved to self. The melody rises out of one’s heart; it is not planned." If you are living with chronic illness or simply KNOW that you are on a journey to live a kinder, more compassionate and mindful life, Dharma Sisters Circle could be the online sanctuary of women's friendship your soul is aching to be a part of. The first 30 days of membership are free so you can explore and discover whether this feels like "home" to you. After that, should you choose to continue your membership, the fee is $6.99 a month (the equivalent cost of two lattes but the heart-buzz will last much longer than the one from caffeine, and it is far healthier!) The Khanti Healing Circle is just one group within the whole. There is a main classroom that features audio links and questions from Wise Guests (this month--Sharon Salzberg), a Book Group (this month we are reading The Force of Kindness), The Blessing Place (asking for and offering prayers), Nivana Cafe (for sharing poetry), Art Walk (where you can share your original works and try out creative ideas), Library (with many resources on mindful living). There are many more perks, like live calls and and mentoring. Please do drop by and visit the "kindest women's community on the web." You will be so glad you did! To learn more here's a lovely introduction video from Jan.

♥I am not paid to moderate the Khanti Healing Circle, so why do I offer my time, love, creativity and energy to new invitations each week and personalized responses to participants each day? Why am I endorsing this website? I do it because it is meaningful to me, because it is service of the heart, because I value spiritual community, and I believe in the underlying interspiritual principles upon which Dharma Sister’s Circle is based: Mindfulness. Lovingkindness. Compassion.

I have a lot of preparations to do before Pesach begins, so I will not be online blogging around a whole lot this week. But I will be checking in from time to time:-)