School of Lost Borders
Owens Valley Fall
Newsletter
Fall 2010
Introduction
Betsy Perluss, Editor

Tucked 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 

Mid-Winter Vision Fast
Feb 23rd, 2011 - March 6, 2011
Locaton: Death Valley


In the Life Lodge: Forgiveness, Apology, and Reconciliation - Full with a Waiting List
Mar 5th, 2011 - Mar 13th, 2011
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 awww.schooloflostborders.org