Spiraling Form

     Spiraling Form

There is beauty, grace, and joy

in this moment. 

There is the eternal, and the passing

in this moment.

There is the remembered kiss of a lover

and the desire for another in this moment.

There is the immense quiet of deep space

and the ringing of temple bells in this moment

I am being held captive by all of it

and have willingly surrendered to it.

Each sigh a release.

Each laugh a discovered joy.

Each smile a connection.

Each touch an affirmation.

The bamboo flute plays its song

in my heart.

The sun rising awakens

my inner fires.

The passing river speaks

it wisdom to my ears.

I will listen.

I will feel.

I will be.

One light on the spiraling form.

           richard hammer

               3-19-18

           Cape Coral, FL

April is National Poetry Month. In preparation consider reading or listening to a read poem each morning. Why? Because poetry invites us to consider mystery and meaning. It can be a door way in or out.... and we are always coming or going, or being present.

For poems read by their authors, go to - https://onbeing.org/project/poetry-radio-project/ -

For interviews by Kritsta Tippit, go to - https://onbeing.org/series/podcast/

Your Life Is a Poem – Krista talks to Naomi Shihab Nye (3-15-18 On Being)

Naomi's new volume is Voices in the Air: Poems for Listeners - 2018

April is National Poetry Month

April is National Poetry Month

It is invitation to open into words.

I have followed and greatly appreciated Oriah Mt Dreamer's writings for years. She shares her journey with great athenticity and vulnerability.  In other words, she is "real".

The Green Bough  -  Waking Up with Joy -  05 Apr 2018

“Some days, grace saturates my dreams and follows me into wakefulness. And I am quietly alert, smiling even as I open my eyes filled with a joy that does not deny the pain of the world or the trials and tribulations of one small human being. And I am filled with awe at having a life to live, of being an ensouled body/embodied soul.

I cannot make this happen- it is a gift that cannot be earned. And, of course, there are other mornings, mornings when I wake up worrying for the world and those I love, trying to pull away from small aches or searing pain, wanting to lodge a complaint with Anyone-In-Charge.

Remembering this makes me smile this morning as I whisper into the half-light, "Thank you." ~Oriah

http://oriahsinvitation.blogspot.com/2018/04/waking-up-with-joy.html

~~~~~ 

  Did You Notice

The bird over your shoulder singing invites you to love.

The unique gift that you give is one of beauty and presence.

The grace that you are invites in union, touch, and flow.

The letting go of overt striving invites in receiving.

Open and allow yourself to rest in the generosity of your being.

       by richard hammer  4-4-18

Poetry As A Gate

Poetry As A Gate

April 2018 Creativity Speaking

Poetry is the opportunity to explore the familiar with new eyes.

Poetry is the opening of consciousness for experiencing the gift

of life more deeply.

Poetry is the sampling and savoring of language, emotions, and

the many landscapes of being.

Your writing of poetry invites in the muse who has been assigned

to you to create with language.

There are musical muses, and other artistic muses.

Each needs to be invited in.  Some need to sit by you in silence,

others in nature, or perhaps while running down the road.

You will know when the muse taps you on the shoulder and compels

you to place words to page.  Your muse will remind you to carry pen

and paper at all times to record the imperatives of your insights.

Pause now.  Listen.  And then write.

Pour out what is coming to make space

for receiving what is to come next.

Let it be a wild, fierce flow or a gentle, surprise in what appears.

There will be a beat, pulse, rhythm in your unique style.

Accept what arises.

The urge to write will rise.

Resist it not. Let it come.

Let it be an invocation, an utterance, a celebration, a declaration,

a cleansing, an offering.  Let it come.

richard hammer

3-31-18