Love this!!! Illuminating, on many levels, and best of all, a poignant reminder that our human-centric world view is not useful when attempting to understand the other beings who share our planet.
So true, Elizabeth! We're so quick to look at everything through the lens of what is morally and socially acceptable for us bipeds. And look at what a good job we're doing. ;)
This was so silky. I love the rumí/gibran feel of it with the moons and tides. Finally made it here on a Sunday and I will be reveling in your words the rest of my weekend! I hope you’re feeling better 🤍
Arresting Kendall. Such power and softness. I love these poems very much and what they share about mystery and a different kind of beauty and survival x
Power and softness- you know I love that juxtaposition, Emily! Thank you so much for the kind words and encouragement- it means so much coming from such a gifted writer!
“She and her kin glided through the night like orbiting moons pulled by the tide”. Exquisite. I love this piece. Assumptions. Observations. Curiosity leading to wonder and…..love. To look upon a thing we fear and see more than what we have been taught to think is a path to freedom. Thank you
"To look upon a thing we fear and see more than what we have been taught to think is a path to freedom." Ahhhh, what a sigh that whole statement is. Thank you!
Michael, I couldn’t agree more that I’m thrilled that our paths crossed here. Every time one of your posts shows up in my inbox, I think, “Ooooh, good!” and save it for a time I can really pay attention to it.
And I really liked that line as well, thank you for saying so.
Yes! The mystery of good and evil. So much in the eyes of the one who judges. Meanwhile the image of the shark floating peacefully in the moonlight--mmm!
Absolutely breathtaking Kendall. Poetry wears you beautifully. And “they” can never take that from you. Humans have such a small understanding of the world, only seen through our even smaller perceptions. I want to share a poem that echos this celebration of darkness, it landed in my email inbox this morning from Rosemerry Wahtola:
Oh, oh, oh. What a gorgeous poem. Thank you for sharing! You are an alchemist for connecting people, dear friend. Truly. And thank you for saying that poetry wears me beautifully. It’s all I want to wear right now- like putting on a favorite sweater. ';)
Oh, Kendall. You make me see the world in a different way and that's a gift. "Maybe she was just hungry." I now have a glimmer (just a tiny one) of forgiving the destroyers. I don't forgive them (yet) but you touch the part of me that could. While that's annoying, I also see that it is so, so good. For me. For my soul. Thank you. ❤️
I love this comment, Wendy. I think I write as a pathway to my own forgiveness, even when I resist it. Maybe especially then. It’s such a non-linear path, and it really is so, so good. Glad to have your company here. ❤
Choosing ourselves first. Becoming the host within ourselves, feeding, illuminating, and trusting the call of when to continue to glide with the pod, and when to take a solitary turn for now. Your poetry is a joy, layer upon layer of darkness, light, depths and surface. Lovingly and with aloha dear one. 💙🌊
Thank you Kendall, as always, for being a guiding light to more reflection, more inquiry, more space for mystery and other ways of being, of loving. Love!
Thank you, Vic! I can't tell you how meaningful it is to know that something I have written is an invitation to more mystery. What a wonderful gift you've given me!
"They didn’t see the way she floated just above the seafloor,
the light tracing a silent melody on her back."
Ahh, such a beautiful line for this musician, thank you. And thank you for the uncomfortable, potent, necessary meditation on evil and love and need and nature. Close to my heart.
Ah, thank you, Harriet. That line came to me as I was putting my daughter to bed last night and I had to run out of her room to scribble it on a scrap of paper mid-lullaby. (Maybe just so it could find its way to your musician's heart. I love that thought). 🎶
Kendall, I thought of you a few days ago, because I was listening to a writer in a virtual workshop share that so many stories came to her while she was cleaning houses. And also that because of her experience cleaning houses, the lens with which she views life in general is unique, specific to that.
You also have these universes inside of you that I will never be able to touch, especially with your travels worldwide and the way you understand nature so deeply and intimately. Yet you bring all of this to the page, and honestly, the more I read your poetry, the more I believe that this is your truest gift. Poets are rare, especially gifted ones.
Thank you for sharing your gifts with us, Kendall. With me.
Also, I began reading your friend Tessa Hulls's graphic memoir yesterday, and it is PHENOMENAL. I don't like graphic novels or memoirs, but hers is really well done. I'm so grateful for the recommendation! Please tell her that the care she invested in this project means so much to me as a reader. Just knowing how much she poured into this, of herself, in order to unravel her heritage as it was tangled in Chinese culture and history is simply breathtaking.
This comment gave me goosebumps up and down my arms, Jeannie! I love that you shared what your friend said about cleaning houses, and that you thought of me. It's given me something to think about today as I set of to do just that. I do feel that there is a kind of spaciousness and perspective that it's gifted me- what a lovely thought!
And thank you, again- from the bottom of my heart- for believing in my gifts so faithfully. I can't tell you how motivating this is, and how disarming.
I am so delighted that you're reading Feeding Ghosts as well! I will most definitely pass it along. I agree that it's breathtaking- the sheer quantity of research and introspection and drawing (!!!) involved is staggering, right?? Talk about inspiring. So much love to you today, my friend!
I’m so glad that my comments feed you in some way, Kendall. It’s a gift for me to know that. By the way, I sent you (DM’ed) another possibility for submitting your poetry. :)
I absolutely love this commentary on the nuanced dance of darkness and light. It makes me feel into the moral superiority that often declares what is "dark" without an understanding of the exquisite and divinely choreographed dance taking place in the mystery of life. I did not know about this mating ritual with tiger sharks, and it is such a beautiful example of the morally dark and the natural divinity of our living world existing simultaneously, but determined by who is looking at the reality.
Love this!!! Illuminating, on many levels, and best of all, a poignant reminder that our human-centric world view is not useful when attempting to understand the other beings who share our planet.
So true, Elizabeth! We're so quick to look at everything through the lens of what is morally and socially acceptable for us bipeds. And look at what a good job we're doing. ;)
Exactly!
This was so silky. I love the rumí/gibran feel of it with the moons and tides. Finally made it here on a Sunday and I will be reveling in your words the rest of my weekend! I hope you’re feeling better 🤍
Well, a really good friend of mine recently sent me a Gibran book, so maybe he's swimming in my soul a bit right now. 🥰❤✨
🥹✨🤩
Arresting Kendall. Such power and softness. I love these poems very much and what they share about mystery and a different kind of beauty and survival x
Power and softness- you know I love that juxtaposition, Emily! Thank you so much for the kind words and encouragement- it means so much coming from such a gifted writer!
“She and her kin glided through the night like orbiting moons pulled by the tide”. Exquisite. I love this piece. Assumptions. Observations. Curiosity leading to wonder and…..love. To look upon a thing we fear and see more than what we have been taught to think is a path to freedom. Thank you
"To look upon a thing we fear and see more than what we have been taught to think is a path to freedom." Ahhhh, what a sigh that whole statement is. Thank you!
I couldn't have said it better, beautifully worded Susan. <3
Wow this is gorgeous. Love the reveal: “Only later— once she senses that there is a pulse of life within her—
will she endure the advances of lesser suitors
in order to produce inferior offspring to feed her firstborn.” Who are we to judge?
Right?? Leave it to our marine sisters to show us how to deal with unwanted advances. 😅
Beautiful Kendall
Thanks, Nina!
Ohh so so so good! I am so glad our paths crossed Kendall! Your poems are such a refreshing and enjoyable experience.
I loved the whole thing, but this line really got me:
“the light tracing a silent melody on her back.”
— amazing! :)
Michael, I couldn’t agree more that I’m thrilled that our paths crossed here. Every time one of your posts shows up in my inbox, I think, “Ooooh, good!” and save it for a time I can really pay attention to it.
And I really liked that line as well, thank you for saying so.
Awww thanks Kendall! I’m glad the feeling is mutual :)
Yes! The mystery of good and evil. So much in the eyes of the one who judges. Meanwhile the image of the shark floating peacefully in the moonlight--mmm!
Such a mystery, Jane, and such a fun sandbox to play in. ;) Thanks for being here!
Absolutely breathtaking Kendall. Poetry wears you beautifully. And “they” can never take that from you. Humans have such a small understanding of the world, only seen through our even smaller perceptions. I want to share a poem that echos this celebration of darkness, it landed in my email inbox this morning from Rosemerry Wahtola:
Nina takes me by the hand
and runs with me through the garden,
earthen angel in a pale green skirt,
her long silver hair flies behind her,
and I laugh as she tugs me
past snap peas, arugula, broccoli,
and red lettuce leaves. We duck
beneath the rose-covered bower and
emerge into the open lawn, pass deep,
deep purple clematis, to enter another
garden where the evening primrose
flowers that bloom for only one night
are blooming, eight bright
yellow blooms! For each of them,
this is the night. It’s so fleeting,
this beauty. So fleeting, this life.
Long after I leave the garden, I think
of Nina tending these primroses—
so much work for such brief joy.
Or is the secret to know the work
itself the is the lasting spark—putting
ourselves in service to something
that blooms in the dark.
Oh, oh, oh. What a gorgeous poem. Thank you for sharing! You are an alchemist for connecting people, dear friend. Truly. And thank you for saying that poetry wears me beautifully. It’s all I want to wear right now- like putting on a favorite sweater. ';)
Oh, Kendall. You make me see the world in a different way and that's a gift. "Maybe she was just hungry." I now have a glimmer (just a tiny one) of forgiving the destroyers. I don't forgive them (yet) but you touch the part of me that could. While that's annoying, I also see that it is so, so good. For me. For my soul. Thank you. ❤️
I love this comment, Wendy. I think I write as a pathway to my own forgiveness, even when I resist it. Maybe especially then. It’s such a non-linear path, and it really is so, so good. Glad to have your company here. ❤
Choosing ourselves first. Becoming the host within ourselves, feeding, illuminating, and trusting the call of when to continue to glide with the pod, and when to take a solitary turn for now. Your poetry is a joy, layer upon layer of darkness, light, depths and surface. Lovingly and with aloha dear one. 💙🌊
Ah, thank you Joanie! I love the layers in this comment. You are such a delicious poet as well, my sweet friend. Thank you for sharing your aloha!
Oooh! A silky ride - - -
Thank you Kendall, as always, for being a guiding light to more reflection, more inquiry, more space for mystery and other ways of being, of loving. Love!
Thank you, Vic! I can't tell you how meaningful it is to know that something I have written is an invitation to more mystery. What a wonderful gift you've given me!
Mysteries’ marvels~
May we stay humble, in awe.
For what do we know?
This is so great! What do we know, indeed??
"They didn’t see the way she floated just above the seafloor,
the light tracing a silent melody on her back."
Ahh, such a beautiful line for this musician, thank you. And thank you for the uncomfortable, potent, necessary meditation on evil and love and need and nature. Close to my heart.
Ah, thank you, Harriet. That line came to me as I was putting my daughter to bed last night and I had to run out of her room to scribble it on a scrap of paper mid-lullaby. (Maybe just so it could find its way to your musician's heart. I love that thought). 🎶
Kendall, I thought of you a few days ago, because I was listening to a writer in a virtual workshop share that so many stories came to her while she was cleaning houses. And also that because of her experience cleaning houses, the lens with which she views life in general is unique, specific to that.
You also have these universes inside of you that I will never be able to touch, especially with your travels worldwide and the way you understand nature so deeply and intimately. Yet you bring all of this to the page, and honestly, the more I read your poetry, the more I believe that this is your truest gift. Poets are rare, especially gifted ones.
Thank you for sharing your gifts with us, Kendall. With me.
Also, I began reading your friend Tessa Hulls's graphic memoir yesterday, and it is PHENOMENAL. I don't like graphic novels or memoirs, but hers is really well done. I'm so grateful for the recommendation! Please tell her that the care she invested in this project means so much to me as a reader. Just knowing how much she poured into this, of herself, in order to unravel her heritage as it was tangled in Chinese culture and history is simply breathtaking.
This comment gave me goosebumps up and down my arms, Jeannie! I love that you shared what your friend said about cleaning houses, and that you thought of me. It's given me something to think about today as I set of to do just that. I do feel that there is a kind of spaciousness and perspective that it's gifted me- what a lovely thought!
And thank you, again- from the bottom of my heart- for believing in my gifts so faithfully. I can't tell you how motivating this is, and how disarming.
I am so delighted that you're reading Feeding Ghosts as well! I will most definitely pass it along. I agree that it's breathtaking- the sheer quantity of research and introspection and drawing (!!!) involved is staggering, right?? Talk about inspiring. So much love to you today, my friend!
I’m so glad that my comments feed you in some way, Kendall. It’s a gift for me to know that. By the way, I sent you (DM’ed) another possibility for submitting your poetry. :)
I absolutely love this commentary on the nuanced dance of darkness and light. It makes me feel into the moral superiority that often declares what is "dark" without an understanding of the exquisite and divinely choreographed dance taking place in the mystery of life. I did not know about this mating ritual with tiger sharks, and it is such a beautiful example of the morally dark and the natural divinity of our living world existing simultaneously, but determined by who is looking at the reality.