maine journals / 12.21.20 / solstice

Inner circles

It has been seven and a half years since the morning you had to go

still my heart flutters — reels — recoils from the pain in the memories

our hero our legend

***

Through the flame of my candle

on the family kitchen table scratched with signs of life and use

I send warmth regenerative fire

renewed power

to my ancestors

my departed friends

We grieve for you — for ourselves. The losses to community and family are real, should not be discounted.

I try these days to balance that despair with readily available joy

of which there is much. I am looking to the trees and remembering to stand tall.

We can step into a guided place any time

and create gateways to worlds we want to experience for ourselves.

***

You are with me, here, even now.