postcards from paradise on the edge of a new year

dear 2011,

it seems you arrived only a handful of days ago, a green folded prayer wooed from the bud.

how you grew to pierce our hearts unbridled in ways never imagined. 

loss was a frequent visitor whose name remains dry on our lips,

change.... acceptance.... the sheering up of hearts. 

one moment we woke struggling to rise to the demands of a single hour,

rolling the weight of life back up into the sky

dragging our weary hearts for the hope of light and ease,

the work of life; relentless.

other days startled simply by the miracle of breathing,

we strove to place grateful back in your long weary name.

still it is not hard to bid you farewell.

on this day

we rise on the soft shore of a new horizon.

outside the birds lift the lightening hem of dawn in their 

holy symmetry of song.

the ancient curtain of darkness rolls back once more.

into the sacred moment between light and dark, between 

ending and beginning

when all things great and small

pause 

to lace the first hope of light into the dark branches of life.

 letting joy loose in an overture of 

communion.

dear harbingers of this bright new year

shall we too sing the same song 

washing everything with the cloth of light.

allowing all separateness to dissolve 

welcoming this birth, ushering in authenticity, invoking true awakening.

shall we too rise at dawn 

to toss back the old sheets of humanity,

the one million distractions of complicated lives.

shall we begin simple, hands cupped carrying water 

nurturing the heart of each new collective moment.

shall we slow each hurried footstep? live remembering to protect the sacred air?

rejoice in birth, shoulder loss, cry, hope, laugh, forget, remember

 to take this torch of a new year and ignite all hearts

in the house of belonging.

 eyes open, hearts wide, bravely

throwing back all the doors of indifference,

shall we cry out for its perfect beauty?

embrace our common sky, weathering all that this new year will require of us,

together.

welcoming your postcards from the edge of

a bright new year.

Comments

[Noelle Clearwater]

Dearest rebecca,
Again and again, the theme of hands cupped carrying water returns--offering lifegiving liquid and the resource of soul healing to the heart weary and soul lost. Yes, we must "toss back the sheets of humanity" and "throw back the doors of indifference" grasping hands and embracing hearts. The world has become smaller: each man is our brother and each woman our sister in this struggling world. We can no longer defend our borders against one another be they physical or emotional. We must not strive for personal position but for common human dignity. We are all in need in one way or another. So yes, my dear, this year, let us find our common sky and you are the best teacher. I am so deeply inspired by your compassion. Thank you for who you are always. I am proud to be your friend. Happy New Year.
Much Love,
Noelle

[Sue Fox]

Dear Rebecca,

Last night as I lay on my bed at midnight with my furry boys waiting for the clock to tick its way to 2012, suddenly the sky exploded with the light of celebrations, I leaped to the widow with excitement and my emotions became full with the meaning and wonder of life, that is how I feel too each time I read your beautiful words.

Thank you for being here for us all,

Sue x

[Miss Robyn]

I just don't know what to say - your words always touch something deep within - making me want to weep xoxo

[Carol (artmusedog)]

Rebecca ~ Happy New Year ~ I am so glad I found your blog ~ you are an inspiration ~ each day ~ a gift ~ namaste, Carol (A Creative Harbor)

[Someone is Special]

Happy New Year Rebecca.. Let this year brings you the magic you wish..

Someone is Special

[leslie]

you have a gift for capturing life with your words... thank you for all that you are, and for sharing that with us. bright blessings to you as you walk bravely and joyfully into the hope of this new year.

[Dawn Elliott]

Yes! We should "cry out for its perfect beauty," as you say...this new and bright beginning that brings with it boundless possibilities. The 'work of living' does take its toll, yet what could be better than to experience the ups and downs that make it ours. You gave us such a beautiful blessing for our new beginnings, Rebecca. Love and health to you and those you hold dear in 2012. It has a nice ring to it, no?

[stephanie]

Dear Rebecca
I look forward to a year of walking hand in hand with you...here, with your perfect words to point the way. WISH I was joining you in a couple of weeks but I know I will be filled with inspiration as you share the wonder!
Happy 2012!!
x....x

[somepinkflowers]

~~washing everything
with the cloth of light~~

yes
yes
yes

♥

PS--
happy newest year to you!

[gemma]

Thank you for helping to light our way into this new year. Your words and photographs bring a lovely quality of light to each moment I am here.

[Fran aka Redondowriter]

Putting things together after going to church--and there are your extraordinary photos and words. I'm printing this out for my own journal. Rebecca, I wish you and yours a very happy new year.

[rochambeau]

Your words and photographs .....a masterpiece.
It is your gift to capture the sweetness and and tartness of life. To mix up and concoct such a marvously sweet sonnet for past life and the life to come!

May 2012 bring you great joy and peace and perfect health, dear Rebecca for you and those you care most about.
Love,
Constance

[Lenora]

you have the gift of words, the gift of colour, the gift of creation and of forging community! Thank you!

[Tracy]

Great to be back in blogland after two weeks away for Christmas in the USA, and catch up with you here now, Rebecca :o). Wishing you all the very best in 2012--PEACE, LOVE & JOY! ((HUGS))

[Magical Mystical Teacher]

My ears are open for the "holy symmetry of song," Rebecca. My ears are open.