The deep parts of my life
pour onward,
as if the river shores
were opening out.
It seems as if things
are more like me now
that I can see farther into paintings
I feel closer
to what language can't reach.
Rainer Maria Rilke
I feel enormously grateful to have finished my 5th book, A HOUSE OF DOORS - my little collection of poems that span 40 years. (update - I have just made an EBook edition: cost: $1.00) (http://store.blurb.com/ebooks/360737-a-house-of-doors-open-poems)
Most of these poems are mine, but also included are "found poems", the collection of poetry by Joanna Brouk and Felicia Miller, with the illustrations I did for them back in the early '70's when we were young artists in Berkeley.
I have never been a prolific poet by any means...........I am a visual person first and foremost in my communicating and thinking processes. All of the poetry worth sharing I put into this little book, and I'm well pleased, as I was to finally complete the MASKS OF THE GODDESS book. Honoring the Past, the Muse, the Friends, the Communities, Myself, and the Divine is what this 6 month writing project has been about, and with this book, I feel free to move on and give my attention to new projects.
FOR THREE WEEKS
the cool moon
bound by occult cords
moves
through the houses
of memory and sleep
distills night in a bowl
But on the night
of the full moon
what is mirrored
in a still pool?
Felicia Miller (1972)
AMAZONS IV.
At the river's edge
I laid my armor down
laid down my sword and bow
untied my hair
this I did for you
I approached you
lying in the grass
at the river's edge
your body brown
graceful as a tree
unshod
you waited for me
I approached you
with desire
O my enemy
Lauren Raine (1975)
light
light
light of morning
the fairest light,
the fairest light
has come
softly
gently
I feel its coming
night has given
night has given
a place to morning
breath returns
and moistens the grass
the bird's feather
no longer do I hide
no longer do I hide
gone into darkness
light has come
Joanna Brouk (1972)
(5/2009) As a footnote, because I published those poems on my website in 2006, Felicia found me on the Web, which resulted in us corresponding, and my finally going to Puerto Rico this August to meet her in person again. She's still a mermaid spinning stories about Undine, still the soul I remember well, still beautiful.)
(5/15/2015) As a footnote to this footnote, I did indeed meet my friend Felicia again, near water as always (in Puerto Rico). Felicia passed away in 2010. I've written about her, and our meetings, in this Blog. And I found Joanna again, in San Diego, in 2011, still beautiful, still making music and poetry, still a friend. In fact here I sit at her kitchen table, visiting for the weekend. Below is a pastel I did of her back in 1976.)
