On the Island

noble white petals
yield the stillness of a dream
takes your breath away

 

a liquid blue soul
serene in beauty and breath
she waxes and wanes

 

While painting this piece, I felt a connection to Lori. It was like I was painting her soul. I stayed in a beautiful meditative state all the way through to writing the poem that is in honor of Lori’s beauty. This one is for you Lori — not sure if it’s how you view yourself or your soul. It’s just what came to me while painting and reflecting on who you are as I know you through your art and words.

–genece hamby, contemporary artist & poet
http://sanctuaryofstillness.wordpress.com

 

Yielding Heart

Of all the places of the heart, I most love the stillness of a yielding heart eager to be shaped by beauty and grace. It is the part of the journey when everything comes back to the soul, to the rich honor and dignity of one’s deepest and kindest breath. There is only pureness from this place of divine contemplation and inner magic.

 To all who love and express from a yielding heart, take this image with you on your journey.

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

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!