Expressions of Remembering

…trust the place to form the voice…
​Susan Howe (b. 1937) American poet

Dear Friend,

We share with you here some beautiful art and writing from the 6-week virtual winter/spring gathering of the nature-inspired writing program, Remembering Our Place in the Sacred Circle of Life. Participants came together from Connecticut, New York, Ohio, Michigan, Indiana, Washington, California, Alaska, and Hawaii.

Together, we explored how deepening our relationship with the natural world, especially through the lens of curiosity and gratitude, can inspire creativity and a new knowing. Over the weeks, we welcomed the spectrum of sensations that accompanied our personal forays in nature. We made offerings to the land, saw familiar places with new eyes, contemplated poems and essays, and recalled our timeless connection to place,  Each week, we wrote together and held space for the expressions of remembering that arose, which included the depths of grief and the heights of ecstatic joy.    
 
From my heart to yours, 
Christina Burress
Board Member, OMEC

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By Judy Noddin

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Dog's Paw
By Jess Loving
 
Pad pat, pad pat
Soft on the trail
Prints sunk in the mud
Jog along, tromp along
Happiness -- Run!
Leap, stretch, glide, fly
Wind in my ears
Back to the ground
Sploosh to a squish, to a stop
 
Crinch crunch in the snow
Nails in print, imprint, point me ahead
Cold melts wet up my toes
Snow glee! Whee!
Galloping, galloping, faster than flakes
Slip, slide
Soft bounce -- whoops!
Cold in my mouth, in my lungs
 
Pads in the grass, now in the water
Swirls and smells
Sniffs and slurps
Pick 'em up tall
Out--drip, in--splash
Swift gold sun catcher shimmers by
 
Now in my bed
Stretched out, sacked out
Pads hang in the air
Twitch, twitch
Run!
No, sleep
Sweet padded paw dreams

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The majestic elephant begins as a vulnerable large baby, vulnerable yes, and even delicate. Finding herself alone in the vastness she cries out, calls her mama, but there is no call back. When found and saved she needs to be comforted by blankets both physically and spiritually. Her care takers are compassionate, calming and unrushed. They except that baby has had trauma and needs them to show gentleness and mothering care.
 
Painting & words by Bean Corcoran

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Old Friends
by Concetta A. Butera
  
Snow drops, snow drops, my dear old friends
How happy I am to see you peeking out 
Amidst the softly fallen snow of March 
 
The first signs of spring, you return faithfully to greet me 
Welcoming the fresh spring air and the warm bright sun,
 You bring me hope for a new beginning! 
 
Each morning I see you,
I find comfort in your presence 
I find the strength to face another day 
 
Snow drops, snow drops, my dear old friends
How happy I am to see you again!

Patricia Lonergan

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No Place I'd Rather Be
by Leah Naomi
 
“There’s no place I’d rather be
Than on my surfboard in the sea”
Looking back at high peaks covered in lush greens 
Thankful for rainfall that nourishes plants and trees
Surrounded by crystal clear, blue, turquoise pales
Home to my friends the turtles, mantas and whales
Close enough to see colorful coral reef and fish swimming 
Above enough not to touch sharp jagged edges, unforgiving 
Skin cooled by breeze and warmed by sun 
Patiently waiting for my wave, for the fun
“There’s no place I’d rather be
Than on my surfboard in the sea” 

* Written March 2023 after a surf session at breakwall, Lahaina, Maui, HI
** Quoted lines from Disney’s Lilo & Stitch soundtrack, Hawaiian Roller Coaster Ride song, 
​By Kamehameha Schools Children's Chorus and Mark Kealiʻi Hoʻomalu)

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By Maria Perme

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