encouragement – Rivers Renewed

America the Free

Yes, and in my vision I saw many streams and creeks expanding their shores, moving in strength

in their flow, becoming rivers. And the voice said, “There is much work that needs doing….”

So I knew, in our collective sense of healing,

this was only the beginning.

Lord God give us the wisdom,

for our decisions, and with courage

may we heal,

one another.

Amen.

Note: The United States has a new President today.

To All My Readers

One thing is for certain, and that is I have some of the best readers in the blogosphere!

Thank you so much for reading and being here!

I have been taking a blogging break but will be once again reading your wonderful posts this weekend.

What have I been doing? I needed a physical and spiritual recharge. I’ve also been reading a lot and journaling, seeking quiet for my spirit.

And hey, we get a new President here, tomorrow!

Thank God!

It won’t be perfect but at least we will have some light again.

Wishing you peace.

His Hawk Heard the Prayer

From a distance his hawk heard the prayer, strong wings just in time lifting,

carrying his heartsong

into the heavens.

The Wonder of a New Beginning

In these days, this framing of time gathered, our hearts, our beings, need more healing

than in other years. May we always hold onto

the promise of a new year,

the wonder of,

a new beginning.

Happy New Year!

It was winter when he left the reservation. No one sought a vision in the winter, but he did, he needed to. Maybe vision wasn’t the right word, but he was searching for cleansing……some type of hope, anything really. Despair and vodka had taken their toll. It was good to be in the mountains again, even with the snow. And he smiled noticing how slow his mule was.

He had everything he needed, the mule, a good rifle, his bow (that he had made years ago from the finest oak), and a small lodge with blankets. He knew he was also carrying grief for his people, the poverty and sickness slowly killing them…. yes a vision is what they all needed.

Days later, with a fire going….. the vision came in the smoke and flames. He saw his people being reborn. It was spring and everything was blooming. The people were strong and happy…. not sick at all.

He knew he must take this vision back to his people, to encourage each one. The end of all things…. was not quite not yet.

They would all live again.

Note: This was not written initially about the virus, but I think it applies today.

After the Fall

Well I’m able to take less Tylenol now. I wasn’t able to sit long at my blogging table though. My knees are killing me, and my ankle, the one that was caught in a hole and sent me sprawling, is definitely sprained and hurts like heck.

I’m able to hobble with a walking stick. Other parts hurt too, but the biggest issue is my writing arm. Definitely sprained in the wrist, hand, thumb region. Lots of pain, and I’m wearing a brace. So no I’m not fine, but somewhat better.

And no I’m not looking for sympathy. I’m a writer, so I write.

Fortunately I still have a poem which is taking shape. If you leave messages for me (I love messages by the way) I’ll leave a short response when I’m able, like:

Thanks peace!

Peace on Earth

Peace, love, joy, hope, are all such beautiful parts of our human experience any time of year, but somehow they are especially prominent around Christmastime. Or at least they should be!

And there’s so much light. This is not a religious blog, or even a faith based one and yet, once a year I allow myself some celebrating! I always respect other faiths and people with no faith. That’s who I am as a person.

I’ve mentioned Christmas because I have somewhat of my own tradition here. I share some fiction for a few days. What?? You write fiction too Nico? Yep, I sure do! I love sharing little pieces of light, so I hope you enjoy them this coming week. And I will spread out some poetry throughout. Can you tell I’m having a good time?

Are you curious about some of the fiction? Well there’s Henry Vu, a Vietnamese angel. And there’s Rosa Gonzalez who has a visit from her dead mother. I might also throw in some romance too, such as a story called Popcorn and Tattoos. So hang on!

If you are looking for a more faith based site, I have one you can check out. What??? Yep, it’s true.

http://walkingthroughpsalms.wordpress.com

Peace, and may the vaccine get here soon!

Wingspan

The wingspan of our poetry extended

will move us far beyond the fear

we used to know,

with the warrior’s steel

of peace strengthened,

and the quietness of spirit lifting,

we know now,

truly

who we are.

Strength lifted.

A Brighter Future

As I was walking yesterday a neighbor came out of her house, with her hands in the air yelling, “We have a new president!” I said yes we do!

And she walked around her front yard, yelling, praying, crying, all at the same time with eyes closed, saying, “Oh my God!”, Oh my God!”

And I began to realize how deep the scars have been over the past four years. And my friends, it hasn’t been one side just arguing with…

the other side and the result is the fighting going back and forth. No.

It has been the far right enabling a president’s lies, racism, denying climate change, attacking Dr. Fauci, a lack of coronavirus response,

and so many other wrongs, and the other side trying to stop it. Trying to protect our democracy, protect our people. Yet I can see a much brighter future now….

a future where we can actually be neighbors again. Suddenly I can hear Dr. Martin Luther King’s voice say, “I have a dream today….” “I have a dream.”

May it be so. May we declare freedom from the mountain tops.

When the Leaves Begin Their Fire

When the leaves begin their fire, love becomes more tangible,

more real to us,

and in the drawing close for warmth

we are encouraged in each other,

with our hearts

able to move forward,

once again.

Category: encouragement