the seeker

strange pilgrim

your eyes are fixed

on a city unseen

you have set out

on this journey

with no map to guide you

only a star and the

ancient voice inside you

calling out...

stay awake

stay awake

-stacy wills (11/30/10)

recurring dream

the one that keeps

recurring

this is the dream

to which

i must awaken

-stacy wills (11/28/10)

source image: national geographic page

treated with citra solv

veiled moon

the moon is a

veiled bride tonight

autumn winds

attend her,

scattering leaves

like rose petals

along the path

-stacy wills (11/22/10)

come and find the quiet center...

come and find the quiet center

in the crowded life we lead

find the room for hope to enter

find the frame where we are freed

clear the chaos and the clutter

clear our eyes that we can see

all the things that really matter

be at peace and simply be

-shirley erena murray (b. 1931)

source image: gladiolus

plan b

i am fresh from what affectionately became known as the "plan b" retreat. it was christened thus when the original guest speaker was not able to attend. instead of cancelling the retreat altogether, the host leaders and some of the retreatants stepped up to the plate to pinch-hit, offering what they could. fourteen of us gathered at a beautiful setting in the heart of louisiana and entered into a time of exploring the intersection of spirituality and creativity. for me personally, it was a time of deep healing and renewed hope...a "plan (meant to) be."

wordless wednesday

beckoning

...every horizon,

upon being reached,

reveals another -

beckoning

in the distance.

always, i am

on the threshold.

-w. eugene smith (1918-1978)

beyond this

beyond this flame-desert,

other, even wilder deserts...

-rumi (1207-1273)

dreams take wing

i will wake

in good time

but now

i must dream

of where

these wings

will take me

-stacy wills (11/03/10)

blackwater mirror

in the old birdbath

autumn leaves

steep like tea bags

blackwater mirror

reflects an azure sky

-stacy wills (11/03/10)

the contemplative squirrel

she was the picture of serenity

the first time i noticed her there

perched on the branch

of the crab apple tree

outside my kitchen window

her back was turned toward me, but

i could feel the intensity of her gaze

as she looked out across the open field

her bushy tail hung limp...relaxed

gently swaying with the breeze

i had never seen a squirrel

sit so still for so long

i sensed a kindred spirit

the tree dwellers

are the solitary ones, you know

eventually she noticed me, too,

and we studied each other for awhile

now we meet most mornings

like two cloistered contemplatives

acknowledging the other's presence,

but not intruding...

both of us content to simply hold

sacred space for one another

in the great round of life

-stacy wills (11/1/10)