​Sometimes not writing
Is writing behind the veil
The veil, my safeguard 

​Made my way to the forest today. The first time in months. My injured foot has had its way with me and I’ve missed my forest time every day. I felt immediately received by the moss, trees, birds, and sky. There’s nothing like the forest. As soon as I walked into the canopy, all I could do was say ‘’thank you thank you thank you thank you….” I found my spot leaning against an old grandmother tree where I sat for a long time. Writing, contemplating, and watching people stumble around on the creaky suspension bridge; perfect. I imagined, as I leaned against that tree, that she was also leaning into me.   

Witness to the night
She waits suspended in air
Waiting for her prey

​We just let her stay
Her beauty & grace disarm
Floating in the dark

​Connection – that’s what stood out to me today about Haiku Friday. Not my connection to people. Their connection to themselves. I’ve created three easy haiku writing steps. One of the lovelies who participated said that those steps seem good for any creative process. I agree.
 
Step one:
Let come to mind anything that is really alive for you right now
 
Step two:
take three full breaths in the feeling you get when whatever it is, comes to mind
 
Step three:
Jot down the first three words that come to mind when you are in that feeling
 
Now use those words as your springboard for your poem! Easy right?!
Smiles to follow.....
 
One guy pointed out how the 5/7/5 rule is actually westernized because it’s not exactly what the Japanese do. It’s actually his second time to Haiku Friday and he made the same comment the first time. He’s right but I don’t care; I like the container of 5/7/5 & it’s my party.
 
After sitting for a long quiet while and emerging with a wildly moving poem, a young woman said she felt like the container of the 5/7/5 helped her put the wildness of her emotions into words.
 
When in Rome.

Thank you to the lovely & generous Margaux of Best Friend PDX!!
 
Enjoy the pics! Next Haiku Friday on September 9… See you there :)

And I mean real community ~ these last few weeks have been teaching me about community. How you just never know who’s going to show up when. How there’s no guarantee. Tonight I held a tea ceremony, to honor the new moon and what’s being gutted out and in, all the beautiful people around me. It was magic. People gathered around the table, meditated, and were served tea in silence. Tears happened. Laughter happened. Honesty happened.
 
And now we’re different. To really honor the night, we’re different. If magic happens between strangers at a tea table, magic can happen between us at any time. The false belief that we’re alone is bullshit. I’m challenged to walk into my day tomorrow with a new belief. One of togetherness & camaraderie.
 
What adventures will greet me, I can only dream….