open door ...

open door –
winter sunlight and
an edge of cold

Hello Earth #5

... became much too long to be a small stone so I have posted it, as a piece of short prose, here at my main writing blog, Enheduanna's Daughter. All future earthellos will appear there too.

Hello Earth #4

Hello Earth,

Here I am, listening to the rustling of the breeze outside, and seeing through the window the sun striking the uppermost leaves of the trumpet vine along my back fence.
Earth, this portion of you I inhabit is blessed with greenery, vast clear skies, blue mountains, a flat, lazy river.
Leaning in, I notice my neighbour's gardenias still blooming as we head into winter; I see that the young magpies have become adult; I welcome the ibis leisurely stalking my street.
Listing my gratitudes is easy here; I simply look around, listen, embrace you, Earth.
Offering up thanks for being here is something I do often, daily, at least once a day.

Hello Earth #3

Here I am, contemplating the clarity of winter sunshine.
Earth, you continue to surprise me, even with the same old.
Leaning in, I want you to hold me like a mother.
Listing gratitudes, some are selfish (I don't have dark skin).
Offering white guilt is not useful. What of awareness, prayer, solidarity, lifted voice?

A bit of a segue? I don't think anything is a segue at the moment. All thoughts lead, naturally and inevitably, back to George Floyd and the protests. There is simply nowhere else they could possibly go.

Hello Earth #2

Here I am, sleepy, putting off going to bed.
Earth, you are quiet tonight. The dark is deep.
Leaning in, I start to hear the deeper silence.
Listing gratitude — the speed of sound, the roof over my head, a comfortable place to sit.
Offering my eyelids closing, caring for myself by going to bed now.

Hello Earth #1

‘Hello Earth’ is a new initiative (and e-course) from Satya Robyn: to write a daily letter to the earth according to the opening words/phrases outlined here.

Here I am, in the spare room, keeping a safe distance out of the cleaner’s way. Neither I nor she wishes to catch the Virus.

Earth, you have been regenerating, I’m told, from the excess of people, now that most of us are staying indoors. 

Leaning in, I remember the love you have always given me. I always felt it, and feel it even now. The walls are not so thick as to shut it out.

Listing gratitudes, I recall lying on grass in my childhood, gazing at sky — ground that supported me, sky that seemed to look back at me kindly.

Offering myself the joy of these memories, I offer on your behalf my prayers: for people who will treat you as kindly as you treated me then, who will support you.

Satya Robyn was the creator of 'small stones' mindful writing.