At the turning point
I greeted old friends
not seen for many months,
and said goodbye to a new friend
going for months away.
At the turning point
I danced and sang
with others in a colourful circle,
then moved to a chair at the edge
when they gathered speed.
At the turning point
I delivered a talk, hiding nerves.
I had to speak loud, and project
over an exuberant infant’s joyous whoops.
‘Such command!’ they praised. ‘Such a
voice!’
I drove back home with new ease
around the scary bends
of the darkening road —
handling the car with confidence
at each turning point.
My angel sat beside me
only a little while.
‘You can do this now,’ he said.
I agreed, and acknowledged
the turning-point.
In the Solstice fire I burned
old fears, old guilts, old regrets —
leaving a space for new light
to begin and grow in me, here
at the turning point.
Written for Poets United's Midweek Motif, Entering Summer or Winter, in which our challenge was: Write a poem to share your insights on the events and changes you're experiencing this time of year.
Photos © Dede Callichy 2015
(I have deliberately blurred faces in the dance photo, except mine. — RNW)
This poem was featured at Poets United in Poems of the Week: On Grief ~ from Sumana, Annell and Rosemary
Photos © Dede Callichy 2015
(I have deliberately blurred faces in the dance photo, except mine. — RNW)
This poem was featured at Poets United in Poems of the Week: On Grief ~ from Sumana, Annell and Rosemary
nice surprises at the turning points to looking forward to new growths and solemn solstice promise...and lovely photos :)
ReplyDeleteThis is a lovely poem :D
ReplyDeleteBeautifully penned!
Lots of love,
Sanaa
Exquisite! Acknowledging the turning point, layer and layers deep and wide, you awaken your inner goddess in my eyes and in this poem. We all have this possibility!
ReplyDeleteThe pictures too! Wow. Could be me 35 years ago in a different time and place.
DeleteChange can happen at any age - too often we are conditioned to think it only happens to the young - i hope and can see here that confidence and self belief can come..whenever we are ready for it
ReplyDeleteYes, and it can be gradual.
DeleteInspiring piece....well honed words ...adding meaning ...at various levels...!! I loved the way you associated the different layers with our day to day life. Loved it.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed reading this with your traditions as inspiration.
ReplyDeleteOh my friend, I so envy you being present at such a gathering. Has been many years since I felt the power of dancing in a circle of powerful women. Love that Andrew sat with you for a bit on your ride home and told you "You can do this now." Well, yes we can. But we still miss them. I feel your power rising in this poem, very strongly. A turning point. Let's hope our friendly ghosts continue to ride with us, nevertheless.
ReplyDeleteHow well you understand! :-)
DeleteWhat a meaningful moment! turning point, nervousness before and then confidence, rising to higher level, experience of connecting and sharing your wisdom with old and new friends! Congratulation, Rosemary!
ReplyDeleteold fears, old guilts, old regrets —
ReplyDeleteleaving a space for new light
I love the way the reflection of nature is the reflection of the soul. Perceptive words.
How wonderful to participate in a ritual to welcome the new season. I'm sure you're speach was filled with wise words Thank you for your lovely poem and the pictures.
ReplyDeleteIt is good to have such an official turning point, I think, and a place to burn old fears, regrets, etc. I found it interesting that in the photos I detected only one male.
ReplyDeleteThere were actually seven men there, and one young boy; also the baby was male. The group, The Goddesses of Shining Light, is a women's group, but at our Solstice and Equinox celebrations we invite some men to act as 'guardians' and create a balance.
DeleteThere must have been about 20 women present.
DeleteI like the idea of the turning point...surely a new beginning for everyone ~
ReplyDeleteSuch powerful ritual and traditions!! So wonderful and courageous! Love this!
ReplyDeleteI like the way that your poem acknowledges the solstice as one of the cusps of the year and how it gives us the opportunity to assess our lives and make important changes, Rosemary. I enjoyed reading this very much!
ReplyDelete