
Unto the deep, the deepness of calling
stepping out as a battered sojourner,
into the beauty and stillness of autumn,
strength comes from struggle and speaking the uncomfortable.
Anger but also grace in the refusal.

Unto the deep, the deepness of calling
stepping out as a battered sojourner,
into the beauty and stillness of autumn,
strength comes from struggle and speaking the uncomfortable.
Anger but also grace in the refusal.

the beauty of autumn is scars
and well -worn wounds,
a weathering soul and willing heart

landscape on the turn
throws me back to another time, another place
in the mountains of Lazio
we gathered to write
taking inspiration from the changing colours
we gathered to share
visiting the ruins in Rome
ice creams and coffees
we gathered to create magic

raindrops on petals
a delicate caress is
felt within the soul

A fellow creative called out for submissions for a collaborative, community zine while she took compassionate leave after a death in her family.
Sarah Shott @ The Compost Heap made the call and I answered with a poem. The theme was hope.
You can read the full version over on Sarah’s website.
My contribution is above along with artwork from Nicole Madonna (Pennsylvania, USA)
Enjoy.

you can not say i did not give generously.
you can not say i did not give openly.
you can not say i did not give my truth.
you can not say i did not give my care.
you can not say i did not give my sweetness.
you can say though, i did not take your shit.
you can say i did not take your childish ways.
you can say i did not take your attention or care
and i most definitely did not take you heart.

peony, oxeye daisy, foliage and rose.
i practice their names like i practice how to breathe
without you. i smell you still upon the covers, upon my skin.
citrus, moss and burnt wood. your magic seeped under
my skin into the blood. hypnotising my senses and made
me light, made me forgetful and soft. no regrets.
i only wish, i had kept my eyes open in order to see your guise slip
like a big blousy peony petal to the earth.

let me embrace the orange fish. the orange fish compliments my dress.
compliments my wanting lips and heart, much better, much softer than you.
as i hold my heart in haste and protection, let me embrace something that is willing
more open to my grace than you. i thought i made myself clear, i’m not here to
stare into cold glass eyes, twisted thoughts and warps hands and heart.
let the wind blow through my hair and take all promises of you away too.
the rooms may be empty but this orange fish will make me warmer,

listen to your heart. allow the serpent to wrap itself around you.
there’s danger yes, risk. but also joy and pleasure to have.
let go, don’t hold on to tight. let the apples fall where they fall.
just savour the h=juicy connection, the meeting of bodies and mind.
be your full self. it is them who cannot not handle your full heart.
the rot is theirs not yours.