Seeking Shelter

A New Poem & Upcoming "Write Yourself Free" Offerings

Photo by Linda Buscop on Unsplash

Day #142 of (mostly unedited) daily writing/sharing

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Seeking Shelter

I stand on my front porch and water 
the exotic-looking pink flowers
I don't know the name of

and I can't stop seeing her—

the little, little brown-eyed girl just pulled 
from the rubble, from the bombed and burned building 
that was supposed to serve as shelter—

Mama Mama Mama

I hear her words, see her sobbing 
as she picks up her sister's
abandoned flip-flop, 
 
but I cannot cannot cannot
do a thing to ease 
her pain. Not a single thing. 

A crying little girl who will never again 
be comforted by her mama. Her 
five siblings gone too. 

My god. 

As I sit in the shade of the oaks and fill the empty page 
with these words, words that cannot
undo, save, comfort, bring back a little girl's mama—

the breeze carries the scent of jasmine, invites me 
to inhale its sweetness, invites you, too,
to breathe in the scent of something sweet,

something that lifts you from the rubble, 
and stirs that thing that beats 
inside—

That thing that beats inside—

certainly the only thing 
that can lift us 
from this bombed and burning world.

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REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN

for my upcoming six week (online) “WRITE YOURSELF FREE” writing series for women, with a focus on Staying in Love during these troubling times in our world.

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The circle of women around us weave invisible nets of love that carry us when we’re weak and sing with us when we are strong. —SARK

I would so love to circle with you!

NOTE: If you register by July 11th, you will receive the early bird special, which is $25.00 off the listed price. Use coupon code: EARLYBIRD to receive the discount.

For those of you who are currently paid subscribers of my Substack page, or/and have taken a “Write Yourself Free” class in the past, or have been a part of my “Write Yourself Free” writing community, please use the coupon code: EARLIESTBIRD to receive $35.00 off of the listed price (no deadline).

Registration for both classes closes on Monday, July 21st.

NOTE: These classes typically fill quite quickly.

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SERIES #1:

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Tuesdays, July 22nd—August 26th, from 4-6:00 p.m (PST)

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SERIES #2

​Wednesdays, July 23rd—August 27th, from 9-11:00 a.m. (PST)

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CLICK BELOW FOR MORE INFORMATION & TO REGISTER:

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I’ve collected a list of my very favorite books on writing/creativity, poetry books, podcasts & favorite poets. I would love to hear what yours are. Click on the below link to access.

PS: I will continually add to this list…

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Signed copies of my book “Staying in Love” & signed poetry prints are available HERE

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