Aubade
1
Think of it as earth chakra, she says
south node moon in Aries
just underfoot, in the dirt
it may be difficult to trust the guides
but put love where fear is
it is a self love too
to know the step you take
is the step you want
extend into space
open the chest to the woman inside you
the man, they inside you
a birth of something new
in the body
put hands in the dirt
call it a nurturing that comes in what rises
Virgo, in one of twelve degrees
it was always Persephone
the loss of time
earth mother, of what is wild
father of harvest in retrograde
think that which springs forth
in growth all green
and this too with violence
do not forget you will always be
a depositor of the feminine
put hands in the dirt
feel the ancient water
come go
2
At first light the raven leaves dark spruce forest
one guttural squawk and flies to the coast
is it really the echo of those I loved
I think piece of silk, touch of warped cloth
dense clouds and the faint rhythm of distant waves
can I love the broken beauty of this world without contract
can I live without harm
is wandering really a brave escape
cold air stings exposed skin, this ancient morning
that comes in flight of stars across a milk dark night
would they always return
can breath blossom into the secret of eternity
rains come, fall earthward with volition
continual release to nothingness
how the earth gives life and says here, drink with me
fresh wet air fills my lungs like a river
are there joys to be delivered
will the heart always ache like a song
This poem was created in collaboration with composer, Jonathan David, and choreographed by Aradia Sessoms, Shaena Smith, Oksana Horban, and Sabrina Petrelli as part of Intonation with ARTS By The People (2021)