Resting in the Light

On a chilly September night of '07 in Eureka, California, a moment came that was the kind which can only be called transformational. I had been looking casually for a Rumi poem I had read in Roanoke in a book I had borrowed from Susan--something about a "guest in the house." After several attempts with no results, I clicked on a website which threw the whole idea of Rumi out of my mind and drew me into an entirely different world, a world I was perfectly attuned to. It was Sondra Ball's and Mario Cavallini's Autumn Leaves, an online poetry zine with a Native American/Quaker slant. It appeared the couple lived near the Delaware River. The combination of their outlook, heritage, and a wonderful togetherness marriage was irresistible to me and I started reading the poems dating back to '99 and continued late into the wee hours. Every issue had several of Sondra's poems and children's budding writings. I liked her haiku and winter poems best and became enamoured with the Delaware River. I could imagine her dancing in the firelight to maybe the music of Robert Mirabal. I saw I could submit a poem by e-mail. I rarely submit poems as I am picky about the company I keep. However, this was a place and person so on my wavelength that I immediately started typing. The response was prompt and cheerful. I suggested to my cousin Karen and Randy Walker, a Roanoke poet, that they also submit. They did. I began writing more poetry with Sondra's inspiration in mind and sending favorites of hers to friends. I had often used Native American images in Christmas poems, a natural consequence of my beliefs but I wrote my first truly Great Spirit/peacemaker poem the next month, Who Will Mend the Heart of the Heartmender?, and for my Christmas poem a haiku drifted in about the "cloud children." I felt I had come into my own, my home territory. I loved Sondra's "cover letters" for her twice a month poetry fest. They were full of the natural world where she and Mario lived and hiked. I looked forward to sending her something once in awhile. When I read of her death, so courageous, too sudden, I thought of how briefly I had known her. Surely, though, she was one of my oldest friends.

for Sondra

The Dayflower blooms,

its gentle life soon over.

But oh! the beauty

~~~~~~~~~

from Mario's site:

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Fund for Sufferings, a resource of Mickleton Friends Meeting to assist individuals in temporary difficulty. If you choose to make a contribution, write the check to "Mickleton Monthly Meeting" with "Fund for Sufferings" on the memo line, and send it to:

Mickleton Monthly Meeting
P.O. Box 231
Mickleton, NJ 08056-0231

...may the blessings of the river passages be yours...