May the warmth of the sun kiss your skin and nourish your body. May the rains wash clean that which is ready to let go, and wrap you in a garment of undying love.

What we need around these whispered fears is to breathe deeply allow our tender hearts to open to compassion for ourselves, our loved ones, and all beings near and far.

If we do this right—and by that I mean with grace and compassion—perhaps we’ll see ourselves in strangers. Really see ourselves for the global family that we are.

For a poet to be rendered speechless, well,
that takes something out of the ordinary.

Like the Barred Owl who has chosen to roost
on a tall pine in my yard.

I saw the droppings first and the tell-tale pellets
that told me she was—or had been—there.

What if surrendering was the most true and lion-hearted way of being? I know, I know, I hate it too. I shudder as I write these words being no fan of anything that smacks of giving up... or, let’s be honest here, of the sense of not being in control. But some part of me feels the truth of this.

Today it’s the play of light:
for an instant, just the tops of trees are touched by morning sun.
Churning grey clouds bring into focus the sun-kissed leaves
turning green hues to glowing gold.

Yesterday it was the breathtaking outline of seed heads–
wild grasses swaying in the […]

We are a crafty lot. And when you need to sigh or cry or fall apart there are others here to help you pick up the pieces and begin again. And again. Until we tilt the circumstances or die trying. This beautiful world is worth it. And you, Earth Warrior, are part of that beauty.

Listen to Chris read “Wild Grief”

Start up close and from the back side.
Don’t reach for the long view yet.
It’s too much to ask of your grieving heart.

Look close up, to the silhouette of seed heads on Wild grass.
Stand behind a sunflower, on the back side,
where each extended petal glows with sunlight.

When Wild grief envelops […]

Snow!!!  And lots of it!

We snow lovers have been waiting
with varying degrees of patience…or not.

But the skies have opened.
Winter finally decided to decorate.
She woke from her long slumber
and brushed the snow from her den.

Flakes came down with steady swirling grace,
crystal upon crystal, until there were inches.
And more inches.  And she’s not finished yet.

Deep drifts cover […]

Rain. Rain? In Minnesota?!? In winter??!!??

As puddles deepened, the temperature fell.
Clumps of slush froze in place.
Long stretches of ice now shape the terrain.
Even weeks later,
a simple walk requires full attention and a little luck.
Snow has eluded us, so we look out on ice and
patches of frozen grass.

I’m not sure who likes this weather.
It is equal […]