I stayed in bed all of today, save
four walks to the kitchen, the same
number of front door openings
so my yellow dog with a hard chest
could pee on sparkling snow, light blue
reflecting the Saturday sky of January.
I felt a fever, which made me scared not
in fear of this virus I’m told to be afraid
of, but of passing on a job interview, a
role I know I’ll get, and will accept, and for which
I will adjust my life accordingly.
I didn’t want to fuck it up, from
sickness, no I’d rather make that happen
by choice. I practiced pitches, the sales funnel steps and learned about aluminum trailers. Hours spent understanding trailers. Done, and still will there be
time for writing, for spreading blue
on white canvas, the feel of wonder
on my fingertips as they glide in
wet paint, creating something from
nothing. The not knowing feels the best, and yet
here I am, with wrinkles
a hairline moving back, an inch past
where Snapchat filters place
the hairline on my head. My scalp
hurts. Years of indecision hidden
under play, curious in deserts, dawdles
on Fridays in the forest and tuesdays
on airplanes. Who but I to set
my schedule, and still, a child played
with gray blue sand and flimsy clear
volcano molds on the table next to
me, behind the computer as I decided
not to let me be so unsure any longer.
From this bed today I practiced
elevator pitches, the fire in my pelvis
cooling with the minutes that pass. I
questioned to the doctor if his drugs
could be to blame. I wished never
to decide my steps from head and not
from heart, and yet I saw him sitting
there, tiny rocks falling from chubby
little hands, water falling on my face
“Don’t cry like that mommy” as my chin
dimpled in. “Mama’s trying to make it better,
little man” amongst the papers and
the mess I created ‘round myself, to
shield us from monotony that is
surely just ahead, when I clear
the mess I created ‘round myself, in
spreading blue on white canvas,
the feel of wonder on my fingertips
as they glide in wet paint,
creating something from nothing.
Category: Life Lessons
I will listen and I will believe you. — a New Year’s resolution and a promise to a little girl.
As her blue ocean eyes peered into mine of bluish green, her blonde curls falling beside her face the way mine did when I was her age, I told her “If there’s anything you ever need to say, and you don’t feel safe or sure to tell anyone else, you can always tell me. I will listen to you, and I will believe you. No matter what.”
My parents never told me that, and they never did that. Listened, believed unconditionally, helped make sense of it all, and then act appropriately.
I am not this young girl’s parent. I am her aunt, but I did see her come into this world and that moment was one of my life’s most profound. Those early months were magic. I sang her to sleep some days with mantras. I felt her beating heart on my own while she curled her legs up to her chest and nestled into a similar shape on my own limbs and torso. There is a shared experience between us star children.
I worry about her and her ability to be listened to, and to be believed. I worry often that she won’t find ears for her truths.
As I dig for clues behind the current rage and contempt in my heart at the cruelty in this world, and the pain and problems and their denial to be seen within people who share my own blood, I find a deep yearning, simply, to be listened to, and to be believed.
I find that much of my harder to feel emotions are covering a deep despair over not ever being unconditionally believed. And if I am not believed, then am I really seen? How could I have had worth in the eyes of those who are supposed to hold me unconditionally, if I was not listened to fully and then loved no matter what.
I realize, as a child, that it was not safe in my world to share my full truth. People were uncomfortable if they knew the sadness, the abuse, the reality, of my life. It was only safe to share my victories, not my losses. So, I created a lot of wins, perhaps, just to have a voice. Being better than is far superior to being real. (I’m so sorry for those I hurt when I was trying to be better than you.)
By not sharing the darkness of what I was experiencing, I allowed the storytelling of shame to begin within my hiding mind. Shame grows wild in the secrets and stories we keep to ourselves. (Brené Brown can fill you in on that if you’re not up to speed.)
Looking back, shame was all around me as a kid. It was in the denied depression and resentments of my mother, the overeating overworking over-angry high standards of my father. It was in my blood. And it filled my household.
There were moments when efforts were made, despite its presence, for genuine redemption (glory glory hallelujah) but were covered quickly with a round of “tell us about your perfection, kid number 2” at the post-Sunday church Chinese buffet.
I saw shame also in the sad eyes of some of my friends, in the lower middle class houses I passed in a school bus. My family’s house looked nicer than most on the outside, with its big weeping willow tree out front and the pony out back, but the farmhouse was cluttered, and unfinished (for as long as I lived there) on the inside.
Instead of finding ways to understand, I found ways to escape. Turns out, I wasn’t alone.
There were so many of us sharing our selves with each other, with our harvest season joints and our fifths of very bottom shelf vodka purchased at the Cherry Lane, with a passing round of cigarettes to burn holes in our arms that would scar circles forever. I felt belonging and believed in that badge akin to a polio vaccine wound. I wore it proudly. I had my tribe. And then I overdid it, everything, and saw the havoc I could create with enough charisma and a willingness to please. But it felt good to escape nonetheless. So I kept on… and perhaps still do.
I can’t fault anyone for being who they are, and for having only the tools they have. I know well enough that we are all a product of where we come from and the emotions of those around us when we’re young. But… I can be wiser than that, and choose differently than that, if I try hard enough. I fear I’m not trying hard enough. But I am trying.
So I told that little girl, with the ocean eyes that look into my own with a unique blend of sadness and spirit and a bucket of absolutely horrible beauty behind them, and I tell her that she will always be believed.
If there is ever confusion in her mind of why she feels a way that seems different from what she sees acted out around her, or if she is hurt, or forced, or wild with expansion… I want her to know she can share it without fear of being shushed.
I wonder what could have been if I felt safe to share.
I don’t want that little girl to grow into a woman who wonders what could have been. I don’t want her to impress everyone. I don’t want her to be unsafe in her body, so unsafe to feel what she feels that she hides any abuses passed her way even after an accomplice dies. I hope that she never has those stories to tell me.
I know the blood that raised me also raises her, in part, so I must try to show her another way than denial and avoidance and forced perfection.
I will listen, and I will believe you.
And I hope that she doesn’t need me in the end. I hope that she has that at her home, where should always be her most safe place. But if not, I’ll be there. Just like I try to be, insist on being, for my own son.
And for anyone who needs to be believed, I am here. My resolution for 2021 is to find more ways to listen. There are other bodies out there needing ears for their truths.
don’t take down the art asking to be seen [poem]
i don’t know where to put it, or him
this is his space, too, and i need to be respectful
not everyone should see the sulking frothing form of woman, bleeding
on walls and screens, on her face, smell of cannabis and tulsi smoke and death, asking
art asks
to be seen
so then how to do it
to cut the skin and drip it out
while also being a mother, a lover, a friend
this is his space, too, and i need to be respectful
not everyone needs to look at the choking chastised woman, without a bra
in her home just walking waltzing doing freedom flying birth and life, just asking
art asks
to be seen
so then let her be in art
create space on the inner side
grow rise never contract in the face of fear
new ways of thinking are required if we are to expand
not everyone need know language of the beings being without name or reason
cosmic worlds can speak in silent colors rhythms rhyme and guttural sounds, just asking
art asks
to be seen
i do know where to put it, or her
because this is my space, too, and i need to be respectful
you can forget the words– artist you yogi you writer you–once you’ve gotten the meaning [ram dass poetic teaching]
(ram dass said chuang tzu said)
the rabbit snare exists because of the rabbit.
once you’ve gotten the rabbit, you can forget the snare.
words exists because of meaning.
once you’ve gotten the meaning, you can forget the words
where can i find a man who has forgotten words so i can have word with him?
you don’t have to try or even to listen
we just have to be together and it will happen
–
thanks to ram dass and youtube and for 2020 for all of this that was and is to come
you are enlightened, said guruji, i tossed it back from the shore [poem]
the swans and eagles visited
when i lobbed your ancient firestone
in that indian lake
thousand years of resurfacing
took a second time, god tests me
i listen to my voice
more than his
baptised by my own free will
in that indian lake
if ganga wouldn’t take me
by golly, maybe kitch-iti-kippi
the icy freshwater spring can kill
unsure if the second choice was just
or if ’twas first, that did bring it back
which rhythm, songbird, shall you sing
you dove in after the second rock
fan of leaping, living for the taking
and poof!, that is that, small splash
in throwing him the second time
returned a gift of bluestone, green, from gray
when i looked upon the shore, you were still there, love
i’m making a new choice this time
not gold, not black. pure
allow what is to be
and we shall see how many
years will pass by, before you come again
love is love [poetic teaching]
what is it, you say
(baba ram dass), about
UNCONDITIONAL LOVE?
when we’re in the presence
of UNCONDITIONAL LOVE
our hearts experience joy and expansion, which
is UNCONDITIONAL LOVE
and within experiencing it, we’e free to be
as WE NATURALLY ARE, LOVE
and so, you say
(baba ram dass)
THE HEART will lead your authentic
EXPANSION if we allow it to
SEEK ITSELF over and over and over
AGAIN SEEKING, finding itself
THE SOURCE
so then, you say
(baba ram dass)
in the presence of
UNCONDITIONAL LOVE
our SELF is experiencing its SELF
WE ARE FULLY ALIVE
WE ARE WITHIN LOVE
WE ARE LOVE
LOVE IS LOVE
so then, you say
(baba ram dass)
(baba ram dass) two things, maybe three
1) Let yourself BE IN UNCONDITIONAL LOVE
2) Know the LOVE is also YOU and ENDLESS and INFINITE and is is what is, so just RELAX
3) Don’t attach LOVE to an object or experience. Once it has been felt, ever, really felt between people, animals, places, situations, EVER, it is ALWAYS a part of YOUR CONSCIOUSNESS. BE GRATEFUL FOR THE LOVE AND let it go with GRACE. Period.
who is baba ram dass [in gratitude]
i am an unworthy phony who has moments of holiness, he said
i am not a holy being
who now
and then
falls
liberation
imagine a wheel
hub in the center
liberation
now and then through
intense trauma
and sadhana, or the love of a guru, or something
moments of liberation
you go
ahhh you see who you are and it’s
all beautiful and then you’re off balance and
i oughta meditate
then the weight has flipped and then you’re off balance and
i oughta stop meditating and do the dishes
you don’t have to go to india
your teachings will be right here
and then he disappeared.
–
in gratitude to he that is ram dass, rest in forever liberation and light.
gratitude to you, ram ram ram ram ram ram ram ram ram ram ram ram ram ram.
golden cosmic wisdom water cannot pour from empty cups. tibet, i see you. [poem]
silent and still
upon the plateau
can you imagine what it’s like?
just. beings. just. being.
vessels of golden cosmic wisdom water
ready to enlighten
who can pour from an empty cup?
man wants just the taking, of the taking of the man
not leaving lone magnificence, righteous rights
wisdom is free for all, and within
just. beings. just. being.
who can pour from an empty cup?
without place to fill their jugs
without sacred drops to drink
without rivers to reach the world
silenced and still
upon the plateau
can you imagine what it’s like?
just. beings. just. being.
vessels of golden cosmic wisdom water
ready to enlighten
who can pour from an empty cup?
tibet, i see you.
acceptance, patience, equanimity soon will come
mercy, please offer us water. we have thirst.
man, give us back our water wells, our rivers, truths, source.
WE ARE READY but man wants just the taking, of the taking of the man
not leaving lone magnificence, righteous rights
wisdom is free for all and within
just. beings. just. being.
silent and still
upon the plateau
can you imagine what it’s like?
get it right, the first time around [a very simple poem and truth]
trust your voice, wisdom
the first time around, fool
could save you some time and some pain, (wo)man
surrender.here.now [poetic teaching]
(krishna says in the og bg)
he who teaches those who do not want to hear
is performing an immoral act
but you couldn’t anyway
it is only at the point that you ask the question
that you can hear the answer
it is only at the point when it begins to dawn on you that maybe
all the methods you had available to you thus far
aren’t going to be enough
all we can do at this point is to
share our journeys with one another (thanks, ram ram dass)
as the heart opens
again, if they surrender
vairagya letting go
the karmic eventual non-attachment
the most sincerest of seekers, or life experiencers, will feel
as the heart opens
again, if they surrender
all paths lead to the same place
you can get some of the dynamics of method
other pilgrims walking the true path without a path to follow
only the heart opening
watch in wonder
as the heart opens
again, if they surrender
lovers never see their sorry [poem]
he still never has said sorry, or did he, did he hear, or see, hers?
i didn’t hear what he said, never did i hear what he said
just as he didn’t hear what i said
when i cried in pain at a later date, not now baby
lovers never see their sorry
when they are also in pain
and within the thick smoke of it all
silent break ups with boy friends suck [poem]
did you realize
you’d broken up?
paint pours, you contour his
cheeks, white pink flesh, two moles
best friend, he was, he was
for many, years ago
and the others?
alan beaver the blonde twins, best friends
trusted them, with your hurt
left you wild, with your hurt
more than anyone
what about forrest?
friend, heart smart, strong, vata as fuck
where is he?
no one, there
the mat, breath in, breath out
he was, they were, smoke
come back, guys
sorry, pussy ‘tween my legs
i’m down to hang
like i always was
more to give than goodies
promise
i’ll keep my crazies down
the big, deep, spring [poem]
for twenty-five new dawns
i propose a mid-day drive
something to look forward to
the big, deep, spring
not far from where i lay my head
beside gray-brown heavy curls
of my now toddler son
we went on a drive today
it snow and was the first time since it stopped, not that long ago
today it arrive, arrived, and arrived
the cops were there
that was unexpected, and terrifying
babe wished to go home
before i’d wished anything
fight flight or freeze
never been my style with badged officials
i ask why not a raft ride
that was unexpected, and terrifying
spotted brown, lake, brook trout
chunk of dishwater hair floating
jesus christ what the fuck
that was unexpected, and terrifying
an only parent, with a son
and a 12-year-old golden witness
no one else, no jury
that was unexpected, and terrifying
big swing push, biggest swing push
loaded up the car and crew
pulled out in a line of three
two cherokees, two and a half indians
enough support to get moving
i drove west, they split off
five miles from our place, a rental
cozy covid safe haven in the north, home.
car off. cries out
never have i ever been so close to
losing someone
like that
that was unexpected, and terrifying
Opium in a baggy at the tea stahl [poem]
Black tar, she enjoyed this kind
in high school, rolled small balls
smoked in a marijuana joint
sometimes fired on its own
where in the world did
midwestern teenagers get this
poppy product adored by the Rajasthani man
tar-stained teeth, no shame
offers it to the American
mother in a navy a-line skirt sitting beside
chubby toddler in his tan and black fedora
it was always her favorite drug
pretending not to love it
she remembered the high well
smooth, relaxed, easy
for 16 years whenever asked
which she preferred best
opium
last time she tried it, was a child
two men sat on a bench, cornered
across, in the cement block tea stahl near the fort first gate
pale blue button downs neatly pressed
brown skin, just a few shades darker than
their milky tea in slender glasses
government workers, kind dumb simple eyes
on the plastic baggy of opium held open to
the mother, eyes wide yet smaller than her own
she watched them watch her
the son, the baggy, chocolate inside
the mother clenches her jaw, purses her lips
hostage status in the exchange
Take opium? He asked, smirk and gentle smile
slides the black tar
his finger and the dime-sized dollop
oozing, My life is clean now
I heard her say, did you hear
he pressed resin on a pink tongue
skin scraped against sharp teeth below.
winding the baggy round itself, returned to a pocket
reached for water before the son, half liter
down his throat, just like that
he crossed his legs above the knee
now, a swallow of chai
held the glass with charisma, confidence
strange sexiness in the dark, this man
son banged a red litchi juice carton on the table
demanding attention from the audience, watching
name is Garfur, he told her, relative of
the politician who owns her hotel
last name Khan of the muslim warrior clan, three
daughters, one son, worked in camels before now
tuk tuk driver
life is good
opium cigarettes marijuana chai
easy life
who knows what my future brings
I heard her say, did you hear
now, this isn’t for me
Jaisalmer, Rajasthan, India // spring 2019
edited for form November 2020
You bowed to me [poem]
how many days have you walked into my room,
rice on a tray, dal, quiet as a mouse
careful not to wake my sleeping son
while seeing my mess, some shame
an american queen, closet concubine, waiting for the work to be
done at a desert hotel with
a pool
today for lunch I demanded plain spaghetti
just boil it and bring it here! I heard myself yell at the phone
why did i speak like this?
disgusted with undercooked beans, abundance
of sunflower and rice bran oil, and salt
tonight for dinner I requested fancy dal not on your menu
one prepared special for entitled tourists like me
dal makhani, it’s possible? I ask
sab kuch milega, you say
when you brought it to me, my robe
closed tight around my chest, lights low, I opened my door, my world,
you entered, placed the tray on the table, silent
you rose, met my gaze, pressed your palms in
anjali mudra, opening your heart
my breath left me
thank you, thank you, I said
who am I to be so proud?
I meant it
The same, questions of your father [poem]
the boys in the temple today
spoke down to me, questioned
again, about your father
eyes, pure white, open and embracing
circles of brown round black, still believing these are
more beautiful than any anyone has seen
I regret what I told them
you will have children. never leave your sons, I say
please do not do what some of your real fathers did, I think
I turned my back and walked away from
my choices, the surprise and hypocrisy and beliefs
your parents, my parents, just products of lifetimes
I hope the questions stop
It’s not the Indian way, they say
abortions, preferred. you think, they think, silent
your father, being human being, a man
tender boy made in mountains, naive, frightened
existence we created, they created, were created, are created
truth, still a mystery to me
father will love him, he is his son, they say
it’s too dangerous to try, you say, they stay silent
nearly two years have passed. I am not the same
surely neither are you alone, in the secret of fatherhood
missing, or dead. to us you seem the same
I hope the questions stop