Poetry

The following fragments and poems are from a recent workshop with Eleanor Berry…

A walk through the evergreens—
this moment of quiet:
The branches so high above me
reach up toward the sun,
beneath clouds and sky
through all seasons forever green.

- excerpt from Evergreens by Char Stewart

Dewy spider webs as
mandalas
strung from leafless laurel
branch one
to
another
reflect late day
sunlight
Mandalas catching dreams
are the only sounds
here

let me stand here
and feel
your peace
for an eternity

- excerpt from Jedediah Smith Redwood Park by Linda Coons

Mi cama cobija mi cansado cuerpo,
Yo estoy tirado alli con mis ojos cerrados.
Mi mente vuela hacia el desierto,
No hay flores, no hay fotos, solo mi alma
Descansando en una roca gris.
Los rayos de sol danzan con
Todas esas manos y voces.
No hay agua, solo aromas, silencio, el aire.

Un hongo mato a la paloma,
Barrio ciudades, barrio esperanzas.
Yo habri mis ojos.
Mirando alrededor, vi la vida florecer.
Sobrevivimos—estamos ahora en paz!

Una Forma de Paz by Carlos G. Plaza [ English translation follows]

My bed is holding my tired body,
I lie there with my closed eyes.
My mind flies to the desert,
No flowers, no pictures, only my soul
Resting on a gray rock.
The shining sun dancing with
All those hands and voices.
No water, just smells, silence, the air.

A mushroom killed the dove,
Swept the cities, swept the hopes.
I opened my eyes.
Looking around, I saw life flowering.
We survive—we are in peace now!

A Mind of Peace by Carlos G. Plaza