Dew Drops on Leaves & Napping Bees

napping Bees in the Camus meadow -

the Universe sends us a message in a Flower-shaped bottle,

followed by a tea ceremony on dew drop crested Leaves …

Wisteria, Dragon’s Blood, Wild Rose, Bearded Lilly, Sycamore, Nettle, Camus, Daisy, Sun-choke, Wild Blueberry, Rosehip, Dogwood, English Ivy, Garry Oak -

we are surrounded by Plant allies.

they lift us up & surround us with their leafy, soil-fed arms.

they call to us with voices of Wind, and all it takes it one Crows call,

to weave us back in -

to the tapestry of

Awe.

[Hi friends!

Today, for a change in our regularly scheduled programming, I bring you a joyful poem! Things have been feeling heavy and overwhelming as of late, but recently I was pulled back into the tapestry of awe by a kind soul.

I was reminded of the way I used to move through the world, with joy and freedom, being weird and wild and not caring what others thought of me. I used to sit under my favorite trees at the park for hours, not a care in the world. I used to dance randomly and often, through the community garden across from my studio apartment in Vancouver. I would trek across the city for hours just to see and experience the ocean. I would walk for hours to be near the trees. I would sing, while walking down the rainy streets, and when humans looked at me curiously - I would sing louder.

I was reminded, that she is still with me. Although she has been quiet for a while, she remains a part of me. Now, is her time to be free again.

Now, is my time to rejoice, at her existence despite it all. At her tenacity, grit, and capacity to survive. It is not easy or simple to be authentic to yourself in a society that pressures you on all levels to conform. It is not easy to cultivate and create space for freedom, in a society run by power, capitalism, oppression, and exploitation. It is not easy, but it is possible.

It is possible, to find, cultivate, and nurture the spaces in which kindness, community, and reciprocity are centered. It is possible to find and tend to the light that lives within oneself and others. It is possible to hold onto Love; to remain open-hearted to the existence of Hope.

Despite it all; violence, pain, suffering, war, genocide - I choose to remain open-hearted to the possibility of Love.

I choose to remain capable of seeing beauty, and goodness, and joy in and around me - in myself, in those around me, in the trees, in my plant allies, in the creepy crawlies and the winged-ones and all the creatures of the soil and waters.

I am not blind to the incomprehensible Tragedy of current world affairs. Choosing to hold onto Love is possible to do, while still actively engaging in community resistance and resilience. I hold both of these - Love and Tragedy - together in my heart. I hold the suffering of Gaza in my heart, and I also hold onto my capacity to hope, dream, feel, and witness.

Until the next time, my friend, may you be well. May you be at peace within yourself, and may there be peace around you. May you be safe, warm, and fed with nourishing food. May you have supportive friends and a community that sees and appreciates you for all the kindness you give and share with the world.

You can read my latest - a re-publication of a past poem with an added reflection of the transient and changing nature of self - here, and the rest of my poetic musings can be absorbed here. Thanks for your time, attention, and care in reading this until the end — I appreciate you (yes, you ;).

xo,

Dev]

© 2024 Dev Shirah Suchin. All rights reserved.