The Redwood and the Rain Goddess
Inspired by the fabulous Linaji and her inspiring poem Tenacity. Linaji is a huge source of inspiration and reflection for me on RedBubble, and I’m thrilled to collaborate with her and this marvelous piece of word weaving.
Tenacity
There is a certain muscle in his heart,
Tenacious as hell,
Resolve with a heady mix of
Obligation and duty
Spilling over
To a dance of postponement and restraint.
Yet a melding of dire consequences
That broke the camels back
Does not phase him
Situations that kill others hopes and dreams
Pass over him like duck water down his back
He may swim in murky waters and smell the fires
Burning
But he does not flee
No, he feathers his nest even more now,
He goes about the duty of deliverance.
He has responsibility to thank for his persistence
Continuity a road well worn by his journey
And,
Agreements
Within
His only truth sometimes
Sustaining a position he burrows into
Roots growing fast and strong
Even if everything around him begins to rearrange themselves to a different set of beliefs
Revealing a different future
He remains a constant unto himself
And sometimes I think this will actually work
Due to unbending intent
The broken pieces will just be ground
Down to dust particles
And change winds will blow them away
What remains by his side is of his own doing
Scattered remnants of pain and pleasure
Leading the charge with flags flying
‘We bring you liberation and freedom’
However, in the charge there are many deaths and wounded inflicted by this Badge of honor
Worn with a mighty cause
His happiness or so it would seem.
That is the beauty however of this beating heart
This righteous army
Swelling round the wounded and the lost
As the dust settles and the ‘liberators’ are reaching out
With grace
Smiling
Picking up the pieces with tenderness and tears
We are convinced sometimes perhaps it is best
To remain here
In the place where one was born
Where one was once happy and playing as a child
Remembering only the sweetness of growing up
In a neighbor hood that had many stories of joy and
Pleasure.
So we take the liberators hand with a smile
Because now he has given us a piece of chocolate
With almonds
Something we have not had for a very long time.
Linaji 2009
The Redwood and the Rain Goddess belongs to the following groups:
Complex Simplicity of Art, ! Creative Writing & Poetry !, "Poetry and Beautiful Women" , All Out Emotion, Art Inspired by Dreams, Core [C.O.R.E], Creative, Talented, and Unknown, Feminine Intent (LIMIT TWO IMAGES PER DAY), Freedom to Shine, Graphic Scratch, Live, Love, Dream: , Masterpieces: Literary Workshop, Midnight Ramblers, Moms 4 Art, Shameless Self-Promotion, The beauty of poetry, THE DIVINE FEMININE, The Healing Journey, The Passion of Couples, The Sensual Word, THE SISTERHOOD, Two Beings Group, Up & Coming Writers, Vibration in Art and Verse - VAVoom!, WMG and Writing: Persuing HappinessYou think you are a rock
cemented in your own happiness.
But why are you so steadfast?
Why are you so afraid
to move with the earth,
to change as life changes?
Your need to keep
what you believe in
often calls to me
when I am trying to
find my way home.
You are the Redwood Tree,
your roots anchor to the core
of your own being.
You are glorious
in your existence,
bigger than life.
Your fingers reach
to the sun itself.
But, my glorious Redwood,
don’t you know that
I am water,
given to you from
Mother Earth herself?
You feel I am transparent
as you look down on me,
judging through your leafy eyes
and pointing branches.
But look closer,
what you see is not me,
but a reflection of life.
Look even closer,
bend your grandiose trunk…
look into my clear waters.
That is you
that you are seeing.
You are so bold and tall,
so beautiful,
the majestic King of Trees,
but you forget,
that even you are needy.
Even you cannot survive
by yourself
alone.
Do you not see that I am
your life sustainer,
your refresher and cleanser?
You have forgotten,
Grand Protector of
all that you believe in,
that Gaia, our life giver,
painted my world
to be ever changing.
She spreads me across
the Earth, giving my gift,
providing my essence,
getting blown by the wind,
heated by the sun,
and frozen in the air.
I am a transformer,
a changeling.
I am the rain that drops
onto your dry bark,
the elixir that your
thirsting roots cry out for.
But when will you understand,
my Forest Sovereign,
that they are crying because
you drink me in
but then send me on my way?
Why can’t you see,
as you sit in your place,
the same place
you have always been,
that your roots are stuck
in the muddy remnants
of what has not been?
Just once, reach your fingers
to the sky and call
my white cotton chariots
to carry me to you and storm
down upon your grandness
a deluge that washes away
your hard, gritty persistence.
Let go of yourself,
let go of your perseverance,
let go of all that you have
been standing for,
This time let it be me
that is your constant,
and get washed away
in the cycle
that is this life.
(Your roots are thirsting,
don’t you feel it?)
Astoreth
I felt it. Right into the roots of this old Redwood tree. xx
ShadowDancer replied
Mwah! Thank you Astoreth.
linaji
I am completely balling.. this is so incredible .. you have seen a part of me and this person I have srurggeled with from day one.. you have my complete adoration and thanks.. what an honor to be on the same page with you dear One..xo
ShadowDancer replied
Oh Lina, tit for tat… many times you have left me in tears with your wonderful magic quil… when I read ‘tenacity’ I felt it through every bone of my body… thank you for asking me to do this, thank you for letting me drip these emotions onto paper. Thank you for being such a light.
linaji
I can’t even write Struggle!!
ShadowDancer replied
giggles Hugs!!!
silverstrummer...
Such a passionate and persuading way of describing to your loved one that you are his complete source of life and love Brilliant writing! – David :>))
ShadowDancer replied
Oh, you get it don’t you wonderful David? Thank you, through and through.
carleysflux
your poem is a marvelous vehicle that reinforces the belief that there is some connection between everything – many thanks for sharing your wisdom. blessings, carley
ShadowDancer replied
life is all about the connections… thank you so much for your comment.
poeticgenius
great piece ma you used nature in a way not many can and you conveyed your thoughts very well this a fav for sure !PG$ baby
ShadowDancer replied
so glad you enjoyed this PG!
Druidstorm
Roots straight to the soul! Amazing words! Thanks for the share!!!...)o(
ShadowDancer replied
Thank you for being a constant for me with my art.. i love getting your comments.
JennyMac
Such a beautiful piece of writing… it makes you ‘feel’ right down into your soul. Thank you! : ) PS I just read tenacity as well… thank you for bringing that beautiful piece to my attention also… I’m heading over to linaji’s profile now to check it out… I’m so glad I joined redbubble… I now get to enjoy such extrordinary work by brilliant people… love it!!!
ShadowDancer replied
Oh Jenny I’m honored to know it affected you. You will love Linaji, she’s an incredible woman, much adored on the bubble. AND – welcome to redbubble, i warn you, it’s quite addictive. it’s the best artist sight out there.
linaji
I am here again.. in a marvel.. choked up with appreciation that this art of our souls get to see so deep into each other.. today I am having a hard ride and to read these words and dare to put myself somewhat in them.. give me some sort of succor and foothold.. I feel abandoned by my life today SD.. I just do.. and I so love you for coming into it full force with such profound strength.. tears falling falling onto a old cotton top and not much to catch them except hope..
Much love again,
me.
ShadowDancer replied
H U G S
I’ve been sitting here for about 15 minutes with eyes closed sending good thoughts your way. I hope you got them. It’s a powerful thing, this forum that allows us to connect to similar spirits in such profound ways. Life will never abandon you, sometimes it just gets quiet and waits for you to realize things you need to know or have been unable (or unwilling) to see for prior. Every time I feel this way I hear the whispered voice of a dear friend of mine, now passed away, telling me “the answer is within YOU”. I don’t know if this helps at all… but do know that I adore you and know that you are meant for great things.. your ability to touch peoples souls is a gift. Just remember that you need to be nourished as well as to nourish. Surround yourself with those that fill your soul with delights. Love and light to you.
Cassey
You’re a force with which to be reckoned. A poetic, inspirational, gorgeous and loved force!
ShadowDancer replied
Mwah!!!!
Lisa Jewell
A stunning piece of mythology….loved this so much I was shaking….xxx
ShadowDancer replied
Oh Lisa… it thrills me completely to know that I gave you the shakes. :) I’m flying high.
ambient-1
Wow! This slapped me across the head! In a good way! So glad that I didn’t miss it! Beautifully written and perfectly executed! Wonderful piece of writing!
ShadowDancer replied
Robert, thanks so much for your comment.. and what wonderful compliments you throw at me… I’m very appreciative and humbled.
Del Millar
A fine piece, glorious depth, sincerity, expression X
ShadowDancer replied
Thank you so much Del.. I’m delighted that you found it to your liking.. xx!
jacqleen
OMG….........................I LOVEEEEE THIS!!!! WOW!!! every word…............just touched me so much!!!
You are truly gifted my friend!! xx
ShadowDancer replied
jacqleen.. your comment is electrifying – i’m jazzed! thanks so much.
Shoaib .
so true… any not only do big trees need water to live…
they need the most water :) lots and lots of water
haha
ShadowDancer replied
lol… riiiiiight… i getcha. ;)
Helene Kippert
Profound and beautiful
ShadowDancer replied
Helene, thank you so much for your wonderful comment.
cathrinedp
gorgeous and spellbinding.
ShadowDancer replied
thank you my beautiful writer friend..
BiographyofRed8
you know, i kind of felt this was a metaphor for so many things.. and saw the goddess herself in every woman, brilliant collaborating piece
ShadowDancer replied
you’re always insightful, Red… i love it when something can be read into many different things, that way each person can take away a piece that is truly their own. we are all goddesses in our own right… sorry for alluding that men are tree stumps… ::wink:: who couldn’t be inspired by the beautiful linaji? thank you so much, Red.
BiographyofRed8
Well, poems like this sing to me as one who worships the forest, the night, the redwood tree.. all of nature blessed upon us by the goddess of life, they inspire me so much, this inspires me so much
ShadowDancer replied
i’m deeply honored that it has touched you in an inspirational way.. i also have a great connection with mother nature and all that is living and gives us life. xx
journey360
Wow I like that.
Identify and persuade…well written
ShadowDancer replied
you really summed it up well! thanks so much, journey.
AroonKalandy
Congrats on being featured dear friend,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
ShadowDancer replied
Thanks so much Aroon! :)