Unequally Yoked

The Wedded Rocks (Meoto Iwa), just off-shore, close to Ise Shinto (The Holy City or Capital of the Kami) shrine in Mie Prefecture, Japan. These are the “Husband and Wife Rocks,” a Shinto shrine representing the union of creator kami (deities) Izanagi and Izanami, and thereby celebrate the sanctity of marriage between man and woman.The larger rock is said to be the male rock, and has a small torii, or sacred purifying entrance, at the top. It is known as Oiwa. The male rock measures 9 meters tall and 40 meters around; the female rock is 3.6 meters high and 9 meters around. The female rock is known as Meiwa.

Shells

Losing Heather*

If I knew t'would soon be raining

I would have carried an umbrella.

Had I been told about the pain

I'd never have been convinced to tell a

tale

a whispered spell

a wishful veil

a fantasy fell

from filling eyes

beyond the well-

ing up of tears

amidst the sell-

ing of the years

her flowered first

and then the bell

the toll of truth

the tick of time

of virgin youth

of virgin mine

of sweet vermouth

of sour wine

of bitter truth

of sowing seeds

amidst the pines

of taking leave

of the divine

and naivete

about the weather

is no excuse

for losing heather*.

*Heather’s scientific name, “Calluna vulgaris,” comes from the Greek “Kallune,” meaning “to clean or brush,” and the Latin “vulgaris,” meaning “common,” as heather twigs were once used for making brooms. Native to Ireland, Scotland, Scandinavia, Russia and North America, heather branches are also said to have been used to make baskets, rope, bedding, as thatch for roofs and even to flavor beer or tea. Symbolizing admiration and good luck, heather is also believed to have protective powers. The ancient Celts recognized it served as a great cleansing agent, breaking up blockages found in the body. Interestingly, brooms were most popularly made by the Celts with heather, another symbol of clearing, cleansing and manifesting purity. Perhaps these associations with purity made it a symbol of promise and good luck in the Highlands. Indeed, no Highland bride would walk in her joining (wedding) ceremony with out a bit of white heather in her bouquet or hair adornment. The custom still lingers today. What's more, not only were the Celts clever herbalists, they were also genius at mead making. Heather was a prize for meads (during a time before hops was recognized for beer making). When properly rendered, it made a heady, aromatic blend suitable for splendid nights of merry making. Here enters the symbolism of the heather dealing with romance, intoxication and attraction. Heather mead was some powerful stuff.

LESSON OF THE HEATHER - from The Wisdom of Trees by Jane Gifford

Heather is a symbol of passionate love, of sacrifice, and self-control. In the first place, heather represents enthusiasm and sensual pleasure, and the benefits that can be enjoyed from spontaneous self-expression. But within this lust for life and exhilaration lies a deeper lesson of the consequences that may arise out of unbridled passion. The Celts believed that you are always totally responsible and accountable for the outcome of your actions, so you were wise to be sure of your own true nature before totally abandoning yourself to the potent delights of heather ale and the pleasures that it could bring. Unchecked, heather is short-lived and unproductive but if burned yearly to the ground, it re-grows with fresh vigor. The lesson of the heather is that a necessary balance must exist between self-expression and self-control for both to be enjoyable and effective.

always will it be

the universe entire

between you and me

color

New Orleans Night Life

night lights-smelting at Toughannock Creek

misty meadow

motives shrouded in memories

still mourning

Bullets and Butterflies

Will you see the heart in crimson and its torn and shattered edge
or recite the rosary piously and pray and blindly pledge
to expunge your soul, just one less species
of the flutter by butterflies that make you go to pieces
of the pretty ones with active tongues always probing for your nectar
finding ways to make you pay an homage to the scepter
stamen or stigma is the prisoner of war
the sentence, and the words that mean more than a butterfly whore
who is fickle in her feeding and deigns a future tryst
velvet gloved and fingers reaching in the shape of frenzied fist
feigning love in a bullet's jacket and the powder is desire
and the wings of jet black swallowtail never fail to inspire
a response, a retort, a secret blush and stroking
and a stoking of a fire that is starved for air and choking
on a premise, on a promise that a law will break tonight
and a feeling, infatuation, on the hook of a brand new height
for monarchs, migration, and drunk on monarchy
and on milkweed, and thistle, and Pennyroyal tea.

All Hallows Even

Holy Roller

Zantedeschia

torso

orb weaver lullaby

The Cure - Lullaby Lyrics @ LyricsTime.com

An Ending

Amusing
am using
a muse ingress
egress
distressed mistress
or damsel
doomed by
deletion.

Noblesse oblige
no beso
oh blight
obliterated
in one blow
in one cruel
contrite
night.

Assuaged
aborted
a choice
a churl
a gown
a girl
aghast
at the depth
of her lust.

Tidal
flotsam
where he
caught them
in words
and in wenching
and in dust.

like rhinoceros
angry and too shortsighted
admired from afar

Night Tiger Redux

Night Tiger

windmill tethered
brooding as the south wind howls
abandoned farm

barn roof weathered
concessions to driving rain
spoiled hay and straw

pigeon feathers
outpost's final occupants
winter a month too long