The Artsy Fartsy Side of Me!
Sometimes, when I just want to put my feelings into words, I find I can do a better job when I make myself conform to a pattern of tempo, rhyme, and meter. When it works, I'm proud of the result. When it doesn't... well...

"Silver Sparkles" (Written to describe a very lucid dream...) Dimly glowing crystals cast a prism of soft light, Reflections on the surface of the water, still as night. Water without tides, and yet not stagnant nor unclean, Gently laps the cave walls, moved by forces yet unseen. Upon the liquid surface drifts a fog of rainbow strands. Moving, somehow purposeful; within this fog I stand. Knowing without knowing, the fog must not surround. Beware enclosing colors. Danger whispers without sound. I bend my head and draw a breath of multicolored mist, I feel my body conquer it; my will is like a fist. Then, breathing out, it leaves me as a swarm of silver sparks, Rising up, then winking out, they vanish in the dark. Who moves the fog? Who tests me? Who watches that I fear? There is no time to wonder, I must keep the surface clear! Breathing in and breathing out, I keep the fog at bay. I cannot fight forever, but the fog won’t win today. "Totem Song" (I was moved when I drew my totems to express the paths each guides in my life.) I look Eastward when my spirit seeks the guidance of the wise, I find it in the amber glow that shines from bright Lynx eyes. His wisdom lights my footpath as he saunters by my side, Showing me the secrets that some others try to hide. Lost magick is not lost, for Lynx knows each forgotten spell! His whiskers point the way to what Great Spirit has to tell. I look Southward when the child within is cowering in fright And Opossum is our teacher of diversion and of flight. A master of deception, he can mask his hurt and fear… Fighting if he’s cornered, there is no coward here! But Opossum flees when able, so to fight another day. He shows me that retreating is sometimes the better way. I look Westward when I have a goal I cannot seem to reach, And Beaver’s wise example is the lesson he can teach. He labors without laziness, he plans for work and play, And if his path cannot be trod, he finds another way. Beaver knows that teamwork builds a stronger, safer dam. He tells me to keep trying; he has faith in who I am. I look Northward for my blessings, and Fawn is standing there. His gentleness and love abound, he teaches me to care. Embrace the ones you love and hold them up when they are weak; Your heart will tell you when ‘tis time to listen or to speak. Be a blessing to another if your wish is to be blessed. Fawn’s magick is not forceful, but, for me, his way is best. I look Above when I would know the Great Star Nation’s light, And when I look above I see that Hawk has taken flight. Hawk, the heavens’ messenger, sends guiding dreams to me, “Don’t overlook the obvious. Observe all that you see.” When trouble seems to plague me my days are filled with strife, Hawk’s signs and omens guide me through the labyrinth of life. I look Below to ground myself and find my centered place, And there I see the wisdom in Bear’s begrizzled face. Contrary Bear says “Look within, reclaim the power of knowing.” I follow his advice and I can feel my power growing! Introspective watchfulness brings clarity and peace, “Know Thyself,” growls Bear, “if you would put your heart at ease!” I look Within to find the way to joy and happiness, Frog is there to show me how my life can yet be blessed. Let go of pain and sorrow, let tears wash clean your soul, Then greet the day like a rebirth and find your heart is whole. Befriend yourself with the same love you freely give away. This is Frog’s wise message: Each one is a new day. I look Left to find my courage and the masculine in me, Armadillo waits there, his magick clear to see. His armor never leaves him, thwarting claw and fang. “Choose what you allow into your life,” was what he sang! Armadillo teaches that my life needs boundaries Lest I give too much me away to answer others’ pleas. Finally, I’m looking Right to find the woman there. Owl waits to take me on a journey through the air! Deception cannot fool the Owl, his gaze a piercing shaft, He sees the hidden motives and the sorcery and craft. Night eagle, dream reader, silent in his flight, Owl gifts my womanhood with mystic second sight. Great Spirit chose these totems to lend guidance to my heart, Reminding me he walks with me and we are not apart. Others, too, are sent at need, with lessons from the sky, The loyalty of Dog; or hope on wings of Dragonfly. Let me learn these lessons while on the Earth I roam, So I may be found worthy when Star Nation is my home. "Totem Song for Jake" (I also created a totem song for a special friend.) Eastward lies the quest for understanding of the soul, Spider waits to guide you when the spirit is your goal. Build your faith like spider webs; spin the silver strands; Fragile threads together have the strength of iron bands! Let not your spirit stagnate. Seek new ways to cast your light! Change-bringer is your mentor; let the Weaver aid your sight. Southward hides your inner child, Hummingbird’s domain… Tiny fragile Hummer knows your anger and your pain. Light the child’s eyes with song, dance with joyful feet, Perfectly imperfect. Completely incomplete. Find your inner beauty; leave the ugliness apart… His iridescent feathers bear reflections of your heart. Westward lies the key to reaching goals and climbing high, Look and you’ll see Grouse fly sacred spirals in the sky! He gives you new beginnings and the wisdom of rebirth, His beating wings direct the winds and seasons on the Earth. So, too, your life has seasons and the winds of change will blow, Follow Grouse for progress and to see your fortunes grow. Northward lie your blessings, love and home and joyful things, Hawk flies lazy circles; your luck rides on his wings! His eyes are sharp, his hearing keen, his wisdom meant for you; Look to heaven’s messenger for signs your path is true. Dreams and signs will aid you but people walk and talk, Seek to see the obvious, observant like the Hawk! Above shines Great Star Nation when the sun has fully set, With the night comes Bat to banish worry and regret. He teaches you to let the old outdated habits die; Follow him and learn to trace new patterns in the sky. Bat can fly without the light; his hearing is his art, Learn to hear and follow wisdom’s echoes in your heart. Below you find what grounds you; for you, self-sacrifice, Turkey teaches caution, don’t overpay the price! Spend the day assuring someone else’s needs are met And neglect your own fulfillment; then the night will bring regret! Balance what you need with what you need to give away, Follow Turkey’s wisdom or you waste another day. Within you’ll find the path to inner happiness and health, Weasel warns: Beware! Or you may now deceive yourself! Look beyond belief and find the truth beyond your fear, Stealthy Weasel shows you how to know your way is clear. Tolerate intrigue from none, dishonesty cast out; You cannot find the light of joy when shadowed by a doubt. Look Left to see the Man you are, the Man you want to be, And Dragonfly will warn you of the lie in what you see! Weakness hides your strength; you harbor skeptical belief, Accept the gifts you’re given with the caution of a thief! Illusion shrouds your Manhood, you are more than you appear; Look through wings of gossamer, your vision will be clear. Feminine Right remains for you to conquer and explore, Loyal, faithful Dog is waiting… none could teach you more. Be true to those you love and those who love you most of all, Equally devoted when they win and when they fall. Follow his example as he counsels you to show Love without conditions. Dog is wiser than you know. Great Spirit sends the Totems. It is up to you to learn Lessons as they come to you, for each is wise in turn. Wisdom leads to happiness; your heart and soul will lift As Totem Spirits visit you and you accept their gift. Finally remember, when you feel your Totems near, Their presence is the proof you seek. Great Spirit holds you dear. "Finding Dragons" (Just expressing a personal theory of mine...) Long ago when Earth was young, Legends tell in every tongue Of deadly wyrms and dragonfire, Searing field and hill and shire. Flying serpents, magic things; Lethal lizards, leather wings! Bright as sunlight, black as shade; Tales were told and ballads played. Where have all the dragons flown? Those who made the night their own? Mountains trembled with their roars; Could these titans be no more? Sometime 'tween those days and this, Dragons vanished into mist. Underestimate these beasts And believe their magick ceased! Magic has no shape or size, Can you see them in disguise? Still they fly and still they spark! Lords of daytime, dusk and dark! Fireflies are dragon spawn... Tiny flames flash off and on! And you'll greet one eye to eye When you hail a Dragonfly! "Magick Words" (Written for my good friend James... aka Sir Axeir.) She dreamt of working magicks. Of cantrips, spells and charms - To coax the Lord she yearned for To hold her in his arms. Day by day and year by year She studied dusty tomes, She searched through tower and dungeon, She crept through catacombs. Seasons came and seasons went. Her hair more silver grew, She never told her Lord her love. Her heart he never knew. Still he haunted all her thoughts, E'en though now bent with age, Still she sought the magick words From every travelling mage. One spring arrived a sorceror Well tutored in the arts, In pity, he revealed the words To bind the old man's heart. That eve she knelt before his throne, "I love thee, Lord!", she said. Her words were steeped in magick... But alas. Her Lord was dead. "Remembering Mark" (Written in memory of Mark Graves, a friend and co-worker at ADP. This poem was presented to his family at the memorial service.) The gentlest soul we've ever met Has left us now. His sun has set. He's still a part of all our hearts - He was a friend we won't forget. He didn't argue or complain; The toughest jobs meant knowledge gained. He learned, then taught, from problems fought, His dedication unrestrained. Always there to lend a hand; A talented, capable, quiet man. A life so brief defies belief... So hard to grasp, to understand. But now his heart and soul are free, And with our deepest sympathy... To show we care, we send a prayer From all his friends at ADP. "Stay Tuned!!" The next bit of purple prose will arrive any day! Return to my Home Page...