Flagstaff by Ansul
A million times the heart has broken,
and mended: A silent miracle.
A thousand times the mind has smoldered,
and ashes kept: In sacred urn.
But only once will this bird fly,
when invisible hand turns the key of cage: To free the wings of destiny.
Broken, burnt, empty,
Harmony complete;
Divinity found.
Soul-Fire
The Tree by Ansul ( Los Lunas , NM )
I sit down under a Tree in the dense forest of thought,
The sounds of leaves in silent speech enchant my mind and heart,
The brook is respectful and bubbles softly in quiet friendship,
Dainty blossoms wink with naughty glance,
And the Philosopher tall and I are engaged in deeper talk.
It tells me of a story that long ago began,
Winds, earth, and fire all in ancient dance,
It talks of wisdom in unknown prose,
The roots in earths soul are hid,
And the handsome trunk is witness to solid truth.
The branches are veined with dark austerity,
Souls emerge and evolve and in gentle movements stir,
The Tree is a guardian to these wanderers.
I learn of life from each leaf that falls,
Destiny, fate, birth and death all in a glance,
The Giant relives stories and tales of yore,
In leafy speech of unequalled eloquence It tells all,
Perplexed and bewitched with such fluent grace,
I bow with reverence to this Preacher Green,
And to my simple mind such wisdom brings.
How the creatures of the forest adore,
And in the loving bark do rest,
The sun, and clouds in care do give,
Their pride and joy to leaves that bring,
Hope and dreams to beings all,
As the Philosopher in green of rustling voice does talk,
And I am a pilgrim on a path unclear.
The rain in pitter-patter falls,
And swaying leaves in joy do drink the dew,
In quiet ways I listen and ponder and close my eyes,
And visions of pastel mists with wings do fly,
Is the image in my inward mind a visage real?
All is still, and the rustling leaves are hushed by escaping dreams,
And as I open my eyes I truly see,
The Tree in dim rays of sun does smile,
And in all its glory a wave of affection it bestows,
The spirit of the Tree now in me breathes,
And gentle thoughts like inspiring swaying leaves,
The true nature of life is what I seek to know,
And how my mind in knowing rivers flow.
Twilight in starry plummets fall,
The colors of dark and light do merge,
And ghosts of sleep in yawning mists do rise,
The Tree of grandeur heights is quiet,
And to my distant abode I retreat,
The path of homage to natures Giant;
I am at peace in Temple Green.
Soul-Fire
Red House Red Fall by Ansul (Canada)
I met, by fateful chance, a great human being. The path lead me to a house and the house always has a story within. Remember my poem ‘ The House’? If not, I will post it for all to read.
Now this house is not far from mine…the people who inhabit it are kindred spirits who have blessed many lives with their thoughts, words and actions.
I approach this house with a ‘ For Sale’ sign…..I gently ring the door bell…and this soft, gentle faced man opens the door and walks out to greet us!
I notice two cars parked in front of the garage. The tag on one car says ‘Poetica’. I am curious. Ask the gentleman…who is truly a gentleman, what this signifies. There is river in his eye’s, an ocean of emotion, pearls glisten in them now, he replies, ‘this car belonged to my dear departed wife, who was a poet’.
We talked about her, and I discovered that she was not only a poet, she was a compassionate healer, a wonderful human being who believed in loving all things around her.
Carl, her husband, who was also her soul mate, spoke of her, spoke within her, spoke to her.
He invited us into their home, and instantly, the air was one of love, inspiration and art. Carl also a poet, writer and artist was kind enough to give us a tour of his home. She was everywhere…her spirit, her love for life, her passion….she had made this mask of organic material from the desert. It was haunting, mystical, lovely. I saw her…she talked to us all and invited us to walk through her home.
People think houses are brick, wood and stone…I say…houses are heart, mind and soul. They feel, they love, they weep, they starve, they become lonely, and they also celebrate with those who inhabit them, and wail when those they protected, leave them.
Since then we all have become friends….in this life, a million paths, and when certain paths intersect..we must cherish them.
Thank you Carl, for sharing your love for her…a devotion which gives her peace every day as she watches you from a place called ‘Poetica’.
The late Rochelle Brener Weis ( 1945-2008 ) was one of Arizona’s most beloved celebrated poet and writer, Senior Poet Laureate of Arizona. She also founded the Mandala Center for Creative Wellness, healers in many disciplines, in Albany, NY, and a sanctuary for writers in Sedona. She won numerous awards for her work and writing and in 2007 was awarded the Senior Poet Laueate of Arizona, USA by the Amy Kitchener Angels Without Wings Foundation. She was also the southwest representative of the International Women’s Writing Guild.
According to her soul mate…Carl, she was a life long student and her zest and quest for knowledge was unending…she mastered Reiki, Hypnotherapy, Linguistics, Masters in Fine Arts, Doctor of C.O.R.E, and BA degree in philosophy. On top of that she was a certified expressive art therapist!
All her books are available at the Well Red Coyote of Sedona.
I felt enriched. I knew her. I loved her spirit.
I parted and said my good-bye’s, and in my hand was a token of friendship, a copy of one of her books, a symbol of hope to never give up. Some people keep giving of themselves because this is what their ‘soul’ destiny is.
Carl, Rochelle and the House, made me richer through their infinite sensitivity for the surrounding world we live in.
Rochelle whispered from Poetica land in Carl’s ear…’Give Ansul the book’. I want to talk to her.
‘The Magnitude of Red’ was her parting gift to me. It is her last published book of poems written in beautiful Sedona, AZ.
Thank you.
Cycle for Life- Riding for a Cure
Cycle for Life, Celebrate Life: ‘Vancouver to Austin’ 5000 km for cure is a project of the non-profit organization, GIVETOLIVE, an organization based in Canada whose mission is to raise awareness and funds for charities that are improving the lives of those suffering from unnecessary disease and death, by inspiring people to achieve extraordinary physical and emotional accomplishments.
Riding through Northern Arizona 2009
The aim and main objective of this organization is to have a positive impact on the world and on ourselves by encouraging people to :
Remain Healthy
Give of themselves
Push themselves beyond their own internally-set boundaries.
These pictures were taken on 10/20/09 on their route through Northern Arizona by Wade of Visions Photography. This is a highly inspirational team of human beings who test their limits to let their loved one’s live, and through this 5000 Km ride, their strength, endurance and human capabilities is what will help drive the healing forces for those they ride for and help raise funds for a cure for Cancer!
Check out the link: www.givetolive.ca
We have also featured them on I-Report CNN and I will also be writing an article on them in the local newspaper.
Good luck and may your journey be blessed!
Health to your loved ones.
The Cause- Riding for Cancer
Through Jerome-2009
Road Runner
This is one clever bird. Focused, methodical and fast!
So much we can learn from these runners of the road that roam the Northwest
She runs like the wind…talks to the brush, and hides in the Cacti…shy, but oddly bold…she will give you a jump when you least expect it. Just like it’s cartoon counterpart…BEEP BEEP and she’s gone.
Beep…beep…she runs!
Beep…
Looking out….
Profile of Roadrunner
Striking a pose…
