The sound of hunger wakes me
a rattling rhythmic drill
strange
flute leavings found a week ago
through a thicket halo on forest
floor.
No blood or sorrows mar this place
nor mournful morning
song,
riffs of peeps and trills
earth’s harmonies a
live
celebration of diversity.
Sweet melodies swing from
these
trees grown tall, no blood
feeds their roots. Still we
must
remember, life is not always
rhapsodies or loving or kind or
just--
woke up to the sound of hunger
carving another strange
flute
craving peace amongst all beings,
knowing desire does not make it
so,
yet perhaps prayer and acts of lovingkindness,
listening with an open heart--one day
will.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I found this wood carved by a woodpecker and my first thought was "strange flute." Listening to the cheerful sound of the same creature early another morning and looking at the photo I'd snapped, my mind took a sharp turn toward Billie Holiday singing "Strange Fruit," a melancholy protest of the cruelty and horror of lynchings enacted upon African Americans in my nation's not so far gone history.
The creative process is mysterious; rambling, one thought leads to the next. It seems as artists, the essence of our ethics rise up from the depths of the unconscious, to be birthed into light through words, imagery and music. I pray for peace, for lovingkindness, for compassion in this world, each and every day.
I would like to be able to connect more directly with all of you who visit my blog as this is an amazing time in history, a time during which we can touch the hearts of others around the world, and learn much from each person we meet. I know this is another desire that will mostly go unfulfilled. I am blogging less, living offline more. This is good, yet I miss the simplicity of my life secluded in my room. I miss visiting other blogs as often as I used to.
Isn't it interesting that no matter what the situation, I can feel grateful, truly, deeply grateful and STILL long for something other than what is? Do you find this to be so in your lives? It is a paradox, accepting "what is" AND making peace with "longing"... holding both at once without judging the heart and mind, softening into "all is welcome."
...and the woodpecker is merrily having breakfast in the distance. Time for mine.
The creative process is mysterious; rambling, one thought leads to the next. It seems as artists, the essence of our ethics rise up from the depths of the unconscious, to be birthed into light through words, imagery and music. I pray for peace, for lovingkindness, for compassion in this world, each and every day.
I would like to be able to connect more directly with all of you who visit my blog as this is an amazing time in history, a time during which we can touch the hearts of others around the world, and learn much from each person we meet. I know this is another desire that will mostly go unfulfilled. I am blogging less, living offline more. This is good, yet I miss the simplicity of my life secluded in my room. I miss visiting other blogs as often as I used to.
Isn't it interesting that no matter what the situation, I can feel grateful, truly, deeply grateful and STILL long for something other than what is? Do you find this to be so in your lives? It is a paradox, accepting "what is" AND making peace with "longing"... holding both at once without judging the heart and mind, softening into "all is welcome."
...and the woodpecker is merrily having breakfast in the distance. Time for mine.
Moving about our life knowing there is a community of people bringing love and light is a gift. Life - a song spurring us on to find our way and fill our soul. Bringing peace one breath at a time. We are all still here. uxo teri
ReplyDeleteThats a very beautiful poem... visiting from ORange Tuesday here's mine thansk Mary Anne’s Musings
ReplyDeleteBeautiful post. I hope you feel better and better. xo
ReplyDeleteGreat inspirational post Laura.
ReplyDeleteYes, indeed, creativity is an amazing alchemy! Strange flute is an apt description and the associations with Strange Fruit is powerful.
ReplyDeleteOh yes, so grateful and yet there
ReplyDeleteis longing.
Understand so well.
Your words and images speak to my heart...
Beautiful musings. I'm content where I am in this moment, although I do long for a more complete fulfillment of my ultimate dream. It is unfolding, a step at a time, and for the first time I can see it happening. Perhaps that's why I feel at peace about it, knowing that it will happen.
ReplyDeleteI too have been living more offline. I miss my blogger friends, too, although I'm enjoying living my life in the "real" world, exploring and taking time to just "be".
Blessings, my friend!
xoxo
Carolynn
Your thought on these woodpecker holes are very intense and chillingly good! I hope you aren't quitting blogging just as I have found you!!
ReplyDeleteThis is a beautiful post...I have been sheltering "what is" and her cousin "longing" for most of my life. Longing's space holds mostly intangibles ...
ReplyDeleteLovely capture of the scene...I do like that the sounds brought you to write and muse on peace and moving on ~
ReplyDeleteHope all is well with you ~
yours is a healing process and journey!
ReplyDeleteAloha from Waikiki
Comfort Spiral
> < } } ( ° >
Lovely write and a great sense of the spiritual side of life--I enjoyed this!
ReplyDeleteloved the imagery in this...
ReplyDeletethe sound of hunger. yes.
I delighted in your poem, and really enjoyed the words that followed. So true, no matter how grateful, we often yearn for something else. I guess this makes us human.
ReplyDeleteIt's always nice to visit your blog. Don't worry about visiting too much. I think we all love you, even if you don't have time to come by.
Just take care, and enjoy.
I find that through living in the moment, prayer and gratitude I am more comfortable in just being rather than searching for something greater. I went through a whole lot to get here though and some days are better than others. I love your poetry.
ReplyDeletehttp://lkkolp.wordpress.com/2012/02/07/granted-constitutional-rights/
life is def not always those rhapsodies but there are moments we can believe it is and maybe that is a taste of what is to come...
ReplyDeleteloving this site! lots of poetry and verses...visiting from Orange Tuesday!
ReplyDeleteMaking peace with the longing. I like that.Judy
ReplyDeleteI found your poem very moving and beautiful.
ReplyDeleteI love the way it flowed from image to image, moment to moment, thought to thought.
I love the idea of the strange flute carved by the woodpecker.
Sufi's beleive that we are all flutes or as they "reeds of God".
I really appreciate your thoughts about communicating peace and love into the world at this time.
xx
yes, listening with an open-heart is the most important key, imho. beautiful, Laura. Can't wait for Friday! :D
ReplyDeleteStunning beauty in this, Laura. Truly a meditation. Like you, I'm spending a bit more time "not blogging," in part because of back problems, but there is a time and season for everything, isn't there?
ReplyDeleteperhaps. i share your dream. nice write.
ReplyDeletewow!pretty impressive!
ReplyDeleteInteresting!
ReplyDeleteMy OT entry is at Kids e-Connection blog. You may link up with color connection if you'd like.
What a beautiful poem! Love it..Great shot too:)
ReplyDeleteVisiting for OT! Hope you can stop by:)
http://www.loveablecassandra.com/2012/02/carrot-crunchies-for-guinea-pig.html
wow! amazing shot, love it :-) Visiting from Orange Tuesday. hope that you can return the visit too.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.simplyjess.info/my-orange-victorias-secret-flip-flops/
great insights about life! very profound and poignant post. visiting from OT, hope you can visit me back. thanks and have a great weekend. :)
ReplyDeleteWhat beautiful reflections and poem... I have been holding that duality in my heart -- both acceptance and longing. It is quite exquisite actually. I am grateful.
ReplyDelete