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Julie Schmidt's avatar

Jillian, loved everything you shared today! Deep resonance for me, a belonging to the land.

.

Pausing at the doorway

to the native wild lands

preparation is needed.

A required initiation at hand.

Purification through peeling off

life’s layers of social medias.

Shedding beliefs of dominion,

power over and control.

Next cladding myself

within the sacred dress

of humbleness.

Then and only then may

I cross the threshold,

entering into unknown territory,

…the garden.

For any and all authority clearly lies

in the deep soils of Her!

Reminding me, I am both witness

to this amazing unfolding

and part of this ongoing cyclic process.

As tender to the plants, I listen,

taking care of any need.

Each encounter a rapport, a bond,

learning the language of the floras.

They are all teachers, guides and gurus.

Integral as every hand, seed, ray of sunlight,

pollinator, breeze and drop of water.

Co-existence,

interdependent,

relational,

native.

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A. Wilder Westgate's avatar

This poem feels like a pause and a breath of fresh air, beautiful and necessary.

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Julie Schmidt's avatar

Thanks A!

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Larry Brickner-Wood's avatar

This is splendid, Julie. The depth and substance of the poem is remarkable, and the beautiful way you pay tribute to mother earth is lovely. I like the way you begin, with a pause at the doorway. Your poetry has a wonderful spirit and sense to it, so genuine and loving even in the hard parts. It is a joy to read and journey with you. Thank you.

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Julie Schmidt's avatar

Thanks Larry. Yes I feel the same way, enjoying this journey with you too! Learning so much from your writing and everyone else's too.

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Larry Brickner-Wood's avatar

I am right with you!

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A. Wilder Westgate's avatar

I just discovered Kerri as well and am deeply looking forward to reading more of her work. So glad you shared her here today, and so happy to dig into today's word. ❤️

I long to see my garden

teeming with native plants,

hear it humming with native bees.

I want to see my children

growing wild like the daisies

beside our driveway,

the ferns and Forget-me-nots

along our back fence.

When we step outside,

I want our feet to meet moss

and mushrooms, lush

and soft and spongy.

When we look outside,

I want us to find foxes,

frogs, and fireflies, flashes

of colour, and confirmation

that we need not be alone,

that we can nurture abundance.

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Julie Schmidt's avatar

Ohhhh I want to walk on that lush soft and spongy moss! Again I am right in your poem with you traveling. I too like that you bring your children to it. Organic, bigger picture!

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Larry Brickner-Wood's avatar

This is so beauitful, A. I really like the way you blend the beauty and wonder of nature with the desire to parent in a loving way that honors earth. You take us on a deep and loving journey here, and I felt right there, walking on that moss, seeing those bees, being in that garden and in nature around you. What a gift to your children, and to each of us.

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A. Wilder Westgate's avatar

Thank you, Larry. I'm a long way from where I want to be with both parenting and gardening, but I'm taking steps, and I can see how far I've come, and I'm hopeful.

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Larry Brickner-Wood's avatar

The journey is the joy of the destination! You are mindfully moving in this garden of exquisite life!

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Chuck's avatar

N ot

A lways

T he

I nstant

V oice

E merges

.

S orry

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Larry Brickner-Wood's avatar

Nice work, Chuck!!

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Larry Brickner-Wood's avatar

I love this word, and this is the title of Kaitlin Curtice’s second book, a phenomenal book!

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