Fall Into Me
in the calm stillness
of a vivid opal sky
beholds our future
quietly, I hear
the vibrant sound of your breath
calling me to you
as you softly gaze
deep inside the sun’s divide
reflected on the lake
reds and oranges
hold me under the sunset
so I can see you
along the crevice
waiting for the poetry
that fuses our heart
in gentle motion
let yourself fall into me
and I into you
as soul counterparts
kiss me with your solitude
and color me true
painted dreams of you
without effort and no echo
to chisel away
nothing to haunt us
into the fear of joining
you and I are free
boundless and open
slowly the force carries us
home to each other
Not ever married, I don’t feel alone or uhappy most of the time with not having a life partner. Yet, sometimes I feel someone close. It’s as if he’s right here next to me, especially when I’m sitting in the stillness. Other times, he even appars in my dreams–always in the kitchen chopping veggies or sitting on a dock gazing into the sun across the waters (the digital painting and poem above was inspired by this dream).
Often, I figure he is the masculine part of my psyche. Or, someone from the other side–perhaps a guardian. Since I’ve had this vision and dream of him for 20+ years, I’ve lost most of the desires to find or be with someone. I find myself flipping back and forth between believing I’ve given up and believing I am at peace with not sharing life with a soul partner.
This morning, I had a new thought. Perhaps he’s my muse–always reaching into the depths of my heart so I remain open and willing to love. I’m not talking about romantic love (yes, it could still happen and I know that)–it’s the kind of love that I feel for humanity, the earth, animals, plants, spirit and sky. That’s the love that keeps me rich in writing and painting, in creating from places of the heart.
If you’ve ever lived on an island
If ever you’ve lived on an island
if ever you’ve lived by the sea;
You’ll never return to the mainland
once your spirit has been set free.
If ever you’ve smelled the ocean
or tasted the salt in the air;
You’ll know you’ve discovered a haven
that is uncommon, precious and rare.
If ever you’ve seen the whales play
or watched the eagles in flight;
You’ll remember, again, why you live here
and why it feels so right.
If ever you’ve seen the sunset
as the ferry passed the shore;
You’ve seen the beauty of the island
that will be with you forever more.
If ever you’ve heard the seagulls
the waves, a foghorn, the winds;
Then you’ve heard the song of the island
and the peaceful message it sends.
Indeed, if you live on an island
if you’re lucky to live be the sea;
You’ll never return to the mainland
as your spirit has been set free.
Sanctuary of Stillness
Abbortsford Convent
A peaceful sanctuary
within a busy city.
Abbortsford Covent Melbourne
Stoney Creek
Helen, Greg and I took Darryl to the place he had asked to rest in. The Stoney Creek, within an hour of Melbourne, gurgles through remnants of old Lemuria. We all agreed that this is the perfect resting place.
Fly free Darryl!
September 5th 2007
Eternal River
I am blessed to know the music of the valley,
to hear the songs of the hills and
to feel the richness of the Earth.
Not a lonely hour of shattered dreams
shall take my breath away
as long as I have the grace of land
to bathe my tender heart.
Nor, shall any man darken
the path I choose with hatred
for I gather my strength
from the trees that bear fruit.
I carry the words of purity
as I belong to the eternal river
that flows gentle in my being.
Here where my blood is tied
to the threads of God,
shall I reap in the rewards
of my loving spirit.
To those who come openly
to touch and share the vision,
so shall I give freely of my soul
for I am married to the Earth
and to her wondrous generosity.
The painting was inspired by memories of an early morning sitting on a small river located on California’s most northern coastline. I was there as an archaeology student (we were digging up the remains of a Indian burial site that was sliding off the cliffs due to mudslides). Before we piled up equipment for the day, I always took special time to sit by the river for my morning mediation and contemplation.
Gazing softly at the sun, I had shifted my eyes to the scene in front of me. Blurry eyes made everything appear turquoise whle the morning light created a shapes and shadows of dreams. Nature’s song filled me with gratitude and passion for what we were doing to save the land and its ancient peoples.
Though I’ve lived in many magical places, Northern California graced my heart for more than 30 years–especially the coastline and valleys north of San Francisco.
In the Pacific Northwest
written by Genece
In the Pacific Northwest
crisp and delightful winds
gently breeze through the heart.
Arouse the intricacy of my soul
that is home to all the passions.
Calm to the breath of spirit and
sweet to the essence of my nature.
The sea that whets my appetite
freshens and awakens
the call to life’s true purpose.
The voice that demands my truth
giving and receiving.
The vision that no longer haunts me,
the freedom of expression that wants me.
An island cottage to nurture my work
exceptional and beautiful.
The artist paints dreams in watercolor.
The writer writes authentic treasures.
Inspiring and voracious images
outpour from visual details
Words sketch into feelings of grace.
In the Pacific Northwest
from the inside world
meaningful rhythms that curve me
along the shores of my fulfillment.
Blissful thoughts are quiet and
vulnerable to the allure of water
that has brought me home to dream.
This poem was written about Guemes Island (a small island 10 miles in radius) located in the Pacific Northwest (approx. 90 miles north of Seattle) where I lived for 2 1/2 years. The island is made up of people from all walks of life–home to artists, writers, professors, musicians, fishermen, environmentalists, hippies. and retired people. One of the things I most treasured while living there was that most people referred to the island as “an island of creative misfits and muses.”
You’d be amazed at how much happens in this magical place that’s just a short five minute ferry ride from the town of Anacortes, WA. Facing the San Juan Islands, Orcas whales swim the channel on the west side and large egrets habit the north side. I lived in a cottage on the water only about 8 feet from the channel’s edge. You can imagine my excitement when the whales made their way past my place. Deeply connected to their spirit and sound, I could hear them from a distance when they were nearing the cottage. They spoke to me! I would speed to the shore and bellow in the loudest voice trying to speak their language. On Guemes, I didn’t have to worry what people would think. I fit!
September Sunset
2nd Avenue Extension South
I work on 2nd Ave Extension South in Seattle, Washington. Our street is sort of an after thought of a street but we’re on 2nd all the same.
That’s not the story I have for you.
Not this time.
I’ve written about Ghosts and Devils,Witches and Werewolves, and Science Experiment Kids gone wrong, Greedy Prospectors and Cursed Souls -
and all of them have walked this street themselves.
Many of the towns that they live in- towns I called Abandon or Fallen, Duwamish Bay- have roads that lead right to 2nd Ave and to the heart of Pioneer Square itself.
So here’s a little history of that Street from years and years ago- take a look and Anita’s Owl Creek Bridge will take on a little light in a place where it’s always dark.
And you’ll see for yourself where my stories have been grown and harvested from
amm
Second Avenue Before The Fire
During The Fire
after the Fire
and what lies beneath
Photographer’s notes: “Mineral palace Great Northern Celebration July 8 1893″ “Pavilion Pioneer Square. Celebration of Completion of the Great Northern Ry July 3 1893″.
I put this here because my Grandfather told me that a man was buried under those steps alive (of course) in vault after he was caught cheating in a game of cards that didn’t involve money.
Grandpa told me he was sure the man could probably hear the construction going on above him but that no one could hear him screaming-
so my Grandfather claims.
In 1903 The Ringling Brothers Circus came to Seattle and elephants walked down 2nd Ave.
That’s another story I grew up on because some of my family members were there that day and they saw those elephants and the Circus Performers walking down the middle of the street that I now cross every day to catch my bus.
100 years almost to the day I hear a story from who woman sees the Ringling Brothers train come through Seattle.
The train is pulling empty animal cages and travel cars and Big Top rigging on flat beds. She remembers lace curtains in the private cars and the faded circus logo painted on anything that could hold paint.
She says she still doesn’t know how to explain the feeling she got when she realized she didn’t see one person moving around in the passenger cars or in the engine car or getting on or off the train the entire time it was stopped right off her loading dock.
Not a Soul.
True story.
( Luna Park )
The Luna Park Fire- if my Grandfather or Aunt told me a good ghost or murder story they always tied it to the Luna Park Fire and DIRECTLY to the Famous Looff Carousel.
After years of being scared out of my mind by those stories I was glad ( in a very malcious way ) when they came to the part when the Park burned down- but the part that always haunted me was the part about how the Carousel gets away.
Specifically, how it always seems to get away.
The Carousel’s Weird Story starts when the famous Carousel craftsman Charles Looff built it in 1906. The Carousel was supposed to be sent to an amusement park in San Francisco- but it was re-routed to Seattle because of the Great San Francisco Earthquake and Fire.
(Escaped was the word my Grandfather used)
It was installed in Luna Park in 1907 and it was the only thing to survive the Luna Park Fire in 1911.
(Escaped was the word my Aunt used and she insisted they moved it at dark)
It was purchased by a private collector in the 1970’s and put in storage in New Mexico- Roswell, New Mexico and I am NOT making that up.
That Carousel is still around- it’s in San Francisco and I wouldn’t go near it for neither love or money.
So there’s my 2nd Avenue in Seattle-
some of these places I’ve told you about are on it
or under it or just a few blocks down
from it.
That Street
has haunted me and inspired me for my entire life and I guess that should make sense because
I was born in Seattle
and I know she has
strange and weird ways
of speaking to you
and
of claiming you
and of making you her own.
Which is not a bad thing at all.
amm
