|
|
Introduction Betsy Perluss, EditorTucked away in my office is a book titled, "Can Poetry Save the Earth?" by John Felstiner. I have not read the book yet, but the title keeps drawing me back for another look. How could poetry possibly save the earth? Writing (and reading) poetry requires reflection and introspection. It calls for keen observation and immediate awareness of the world around us - the turning of autumn's leaves, a butterfly's flight, the sound of water on stone. While poetry is a source of beauty, imagination, and wonder, I have never considered it essential for the survival of our planet. But, obviously I have been wrong because why would we want to continue living at all if we couldn't give expression to beauty, or dive deep into imagination, or feel the joy of wonderment? Poetry is the articulation of that which cannot be described in rational language: The mysteries of the threshold, the enchantment of story, and the immeasurable depth of feeling we carry within ourselves. As Terry Tempest Williams writes, "Words empower us, move us beyond our suffering, and set us free. This is the sorcery of literature. We are healed by our stories". And so much of what we do at Lost Borders is the telling of, and listening to, story. And story is poetry; the free and wild expression of the soul. It is actually astounding to think of how many stories have been told in circle over this last year! And with each story told, a new thread is woven into the fabric of the larger community giving language and breath to that which is yearning to be expressed. Story is our songline and that which guides us into the future. So, I suppose it is no coincidence that when I sent out a request for newsletter submissions, all I got was poetry. Autumn is the season of introspection and reflection. It is the season of poetry. And, here it is. Maybe poetry will save the earth after all.
My words are tied in one
With the great mountians
With the great rocks
With the great trees
In one with my body
And my heart
- Yokuts prayer
|
|
We Come Pedro McMillian
We come | Photo by Praveen Mantena |
to tell each other stories stories of the head stories of the heart stories of the feet walking some path, some way in this world we come to tell each other's stories those pieces of our life that fit into your suitcase we come to tell old stories stories old as a stone old as the bones of our ancestors we come to claim our own place on this earth and rest there for a time before saying our goodbye. |
Oil Spring Mountain John Davis
Strap on a pack and carry it up a steep slope. Struggle for the top.
It is a metaphor for your life.
Do it again and sweat hard. Notice twisted trees and texture of rock.
It's a prayer.
The third time, your muscles ache and burn. Look out across valleys and distant bluffs, Over gas wells and wounds, Into sweating, shaking, aching cities. A hawk soars. Two hawks circling.
An awakening.
Again, chased by thunder up the ridge, running.
A surrender, The mountain carrying you. |
|
To the Inyo Mountains Peter M. Gimmi This land is like an ancient tune - Fierce and dry and not relating. But dare to embrace it For four days and four nights And its music will change you Whoever you are. The sharp rocks cut it into your flesh, The cold winds chill it to your bones, The blazing sun burns it into every thought, Your old song dries up in your mouth. But soothed in the shade of juniper and pinion, Healed by the sweet fumes of sage, Calmed by the harmony of the stars at night, Your heart starts singing along.
So dare to fast out there And sing with this land, And dare to be changed Into the person you are. |
|
Trusting the Wind Evan Frost
Look - spider webs are streaming across the sky each a silken parachute of possibility for the tiny spiderlings on their journey to find Home. | photo by Joseph Lazenka |
Without hesitation or fear, they simply sail out into the vastness on their diamond rainbow threads ready to claim their place in the fabric of creation. "It's simple" they say, as they drift out of sight - "All of us are here to do this, to spin silk from whatever we are given, to let go of everything we know, and trust the wind." Here I stand watching, two feet on the ground and my thread unfurled, waiting for the next gust that calls my name. 7/20/10 - Inyo Mountains
|
|
Where Land and Sky Meet Kristin Powell A fiery ball dropping into dusk or first light's halo on cacti, roses Anything victim to gravity in the pathway of light and sky One morning's perspective is fresh Weeds above my head bathed in pink as we arise from our desert bed The fore night's sky alit with meteors shooting and twinkling white against a cosmic blackboard We were gleeful as children - pointing and gasping with delight -- waking each other as light streamed across sky and fell to earth. On mountain ridges both jagged and smooth like Navajo Mountain filling out the shape of my eye Gaze farther down to see blue waters at red rock's feet You'll find the point too where vast sea stretches beyond sight and spills onto the otherside of imagination - a round ball of earth. And right here. As I stretch my arms upward in morning sun salute On my home patio 6,500 miles away from magical travels Right here. In my hands. Still here, as I bring them slowly to my heart Right here. In me. Yes, I too, am the point where land and sky meet. I will remember, when I forget. |
|
|
Lost Borders News Lost Borders Presents - again - at the Naropa Wilderness Therapy Symposium | WTS networking booth
|
Joseph, Ruth and Betsy had a wonderful time offering a 6 hour workshop titled, "From Trials to Treasures: Rites of Passage in Wilderness Therapy" at Naropa University's 8th annual Wilderness Therapy Symposium. Also, at the symposium, Trebbe Johnson gave a beautiful keynote talk titled, "Wild, Sad, Deep, and Joyful: Finding Heart in Wounded Places". We hope to see you all again next year!
Great to hear that, Nancy Jane (SLB Staff) has been offering "senior solos" to twelfth graders at Shining Mountain Waldorf School in Boulder, CO and the Portland Waldorf School in Portland, OR. The 6-day camping trips take place in a wilderness area, and students experience severance teachings, such as the Four Shields, ritual, and setting intentions, a 48-hour solo and optional fast, and a story council with mirroring by the elders during reincorporation.
|
Upcoming Programs
Apr 2nd, 2011 - Apr 7th, 2011 Location: Eureka Valley
Spring Vision Fast Apr 3rd, 2011 - Apr 14th, 2011 Location: Death Valley |
| Young Leaders Vision Fast, August 2010
|
|
The School of Lost Borders is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization committed to creating opportunities for people from all walks of life who seek ways to mark and celebrate the significant transitions in their lives. Solitude and silence in wild nature, the commitment to community, honoring of personal intent, and the acknowledgment and responsibility to bring forth one's gifts are the foundation of our ceremonies and teachings. For more information on programs please see our website at www.schooloflostborders.org
|
|
|
|
|
|