Re-Wilding the Self -1
The nails of my fingers
leave claw marks
in the soil of my life
from their clinging on
to what is familiar
and comfortable and no longer of service
to that which is awakening
within something is stirring
an impulse perhaps
the lid of an inner eye lifting
a vision turning inward upon itself
the Earth embodied in this body
her waters — my blood
her rocks — my bones for a time
this breath, inspiration and
expiration, are hers too.
The forests of her skin breathe me.
My lungs yearn to suck in
this new identity and own it
call it mine
fit it into the smallness
of my life inside a briefcase
sell it for a living
beside the Waters of Life
on whose banks we all reside
villagers — in whom something lives
not our own
the consciousness of the cosmos itself
looking in the mirror
waking up to its own
terrifying beauty and wonder
while my fingernails
leave claw marks in the soil of my living
clinging to the remnants
of the smallness of who
I once thought I was.
“The world is changed.
I feel it in the water.
I feel it in the earth.
I smell it in the air.
Much that once was, is lost
for none now live
who remember it.”*
— *The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Rings, movie, Galadriel
Resources:
Note: I do not know where this series on rewilding is leading. My intent is to follow the game trail with focus for 30 days, to keep the posts short and inspirational and to add links of resource as I am able. I will collect and publish a collected list of links to books and web resources as this series closes itself so please send me any that you would like to share and I’ll do what I can with them.
Also, please feel free to contribute your own suggestions, tips and comments as to your own process for what supports you as you reorient your life toward thrivability for all.
Cheryl
05/09/2010 at 6:27 amWow! Yes, sometimes it is so good to give up the familiar and comfortable. Allowing yourself to move toward the terrifying beauty and wonder of the unfamiliar. It takes courage or just blind faith that things will get better if you can imagine it and hold the new vision. Thank goodness the world is changing!
Larry Glover
05/09/2010 at 12:14 pmThanks Cheryl. And a “Yes!” to you as well. This courage you suggest is what I consider to be at ‘the heart of resiliency’ and I look to explore it in depth.