Tales From The Labyrinth

"Message In A Bottle" ~ Writers Island

There
are only
minutes left
before my ship to the stars
sails...

I have but
this small window
of time...

to encourage
you,
dear reader,

to see beauty
where ever you are...

to linger over
friendships
to your heart dear...

to take
your thoughts
and shape them
into endless possibilities...

and never,
ever,
forget that I love you,
now,
in the past,
and in the forever tomorrow...

Written a frentillion years before
and left in a green glass bottle
on the shores of Writers Island...

Dreaming of Paris

Six,
then four
wander
the cobbled streets…
 
New and old
dusts
the edges of travel
and kiss our senses
with pure delight…

Island
water beckons…
Chocolate, poire,
framboise and cerise
pass our lips
as stone roses
of the Lady billow to life
and caper through
Grecian streets
where the Minotaur
races to catch the last train
spilling clothes and jewels
and glasses of cassis and red-wine
that seep into crevices
and fountain gardens
where our laughter
and delight forever
paints the Paris skyline
with gentle rain that melts
into sunshine
and midnight tears of passionate beauty.

For Robert, Ruth, Judy, Dan, & Diane
Paris ~ August 8, 2001

Renewal ~ Writers Island

What if...

you woke up one afternoon and found
that It was time...
to drop down into the earth...

and sleep...

like an earth~worm...
curled round itself...

spirit into matter
isn't always easy for me...

sometimes...
it is pure joy,
and purple,
shining like the sun...

or like the new grasses of our meadow...

in the quarter~acre city lot
taking root...

dancing with the wildflowers...

all abandon thrown to the wind...

lush and full of color...

no matter how small...

bearing fruit
of Dogwood Summer into Fall...

before
the Winter rains
and cold
settles in...
like a blanket
covering the world
in deep sleep...

for sometimes...
life is
just rock hard,
like a lump
of clay
broken and full of cracks

waiting...
not always so patiently...

yet dreaming of Spring,
renewal,
and always...
always...
the heart's desire...

© "Renewal" for Writers Island 2007

 

More Calabash ~ Another View

Our dear friend,
Glen...
sent these pictures from yesterday
at the Food For Thought
"Calabash: A Celebration of Gourds, Art, and the Garden" auction...

Reflections in the garden...
Glen and Milt...

Amaranth forest of fingers...

roof of the gourd house...

another great hat
in the great pavilion of gourd art...

one of my favorites...
peas in a pod...

how is this for a woven basket,
of gourds...

or seals romping and convening on a beach...

Glen loved Hesperia...

and I am sure she loves him too...

just look at the way she looked at him...

sharing the beauty of imagination...

and new beginnings...

 

Thank you Glen...

Calabash ~ 2007

Today
was Calabash ~
The Forrestville, CA
Food For Thought
"Calabash: A Celebration of Gourds, Art, and the Garden" auction.

You must forgive me...
for I did not take many pictures...

I was having so much fun
visiting with friends
old and new...

(Annie & Don Jeffries ~ Milt & Me) 

meeting new people...
like this handsome gentleman...

in one of the many fine
Calabash fashionable hats...

Walking the magnificent gardens...

sitting in secret spots,
like my sweet husband here
in the house of gourds...

and looking at all the amazing art,
like my piece Hesperia,
who won an award,
but alas, did not sell
as her price was a bit high
for the occasion...

She was greatly admired,
which did make my heart swell with gratitude...

(photo by AnnieElf Jefferies)

It was such a wonderful day and event,
done with such class,
delicious food, wine, music
and for such a good cause,
feeding and nourishing those so in need...

And a wonderful stepping stone for me...

as I already have ideas
for what I will create for next year!

Old Friends...

She walked
into our kitchen,
and into our hearts,
and began helping me
to make lunch,
as if she had done so,
hundreds of times before...

husbands and wives
only meeting for the first time...
sharing stories,
and loves, and children,
and the turns in the path
of life
that are sometimes difficult,
sometime joyful,
but real,
like holding hands at dinner,
or sharing good food at lunch...

or surprises...

from someone who only knows
your blogging face,
yet picks one of your favorite colors,

knowing the way to the mandala

of your heart...

Thank you AnnieElf and Don for stepping off from your Slow Moving Train to spend the weekend looking at the scenery with us, and for the delight of your company!!! May this time bring deeper connections with all you hold dear as you step back on that train and travel the road ahead.

The Journey ~ Writers Island

Friend,
how come you
to be here...
through wire
and space,
from where you are,
looking into this
window of my soul...
Where is life leading you?
What is this journey
that your feet,
heart,
and mind travel?
Taking you
to places where the sun
and moon have never set,
nor risen on the stars
in the sphere you walk...
What hand touches your heart,
stills the chatter in your mind,
and brings fragrance to the air you breathe,
filling the cells of your being?
Does laughter
ring true,
drying the tears that wet the soil
of becoming
this pilgrim
in flesh and earth...
weaving this web
this path unfolding,
traveling this journey of the soul...

© "The Journey" for Writers Island 2007

Photo: Mud People Series ~ Oahu, Hawaii 2007