Gaia Community: Zephyr's Blog

What makes us human?

Thu, 09 Oct 2008 07:30:12 -0000

Our senses, reasoning, awareness, language and communication skills, sharing - A New Day Dawn breaks on a burnt orange horizon, beautiful as a prayer hanging in the air, the valley lies shrouded in dark shadowy outlines of trees. The sun rises, flaming red berries glinting on the seasons gold leaves.Autumn's wabi sabi perfectly blends with deeps of evergreen .

What does home mean to you?

Tue, 07 Oct 2008 13:45:20 -0000

Being at home in my own skin - anywhere becomes home. Home for me means accepting my place within All that is and living sustainably and lightly, caring for All, entering the flow of and communion in the now of Oneness. All other concerns seem to fall into place in perspective then.

Grey Nape of Dawn.

Mon, 06 Oct 2008 10:11:01 -0000

Grey Nape of Dawn.

A colony of Jackdaws
wheel and deal, spread wings
over a new day, joyfully circle
and play on the grey nape
of an autumnal dawn

Black wings dive and flap,
call tchack, tchack, tchjack
on high, live heiroglyphs
inking spirals around
to land on a tall pine.

Thieves of mornings calm
brassy clarion band calling trashy
and loud, pairs swirl and swoop
about, vexing a quiescent
overblanket of grey cloud.

What does it mean to be fearless?

Sat, 04 Oct 2008 10:52:05 -0000

Reckless runs around like a headless chicken, careless and foolhardy, we have all
done it at some time, hopefully we learn from the experience - or it is repeated.
In life we strive to overcome our recklessness as it is really living from our base brain, our instincts.
Fearless is worth striving for, requires much more from us, a lionheart,
strong and spirited, spirit is aligned with higher self, with love and where
love is fear is driven out in favour of bravery, courage and compassion, peace.
Each time we face our fear we gain strength and courage, grow closer to Love

Quote
I offer you peace. I offer you love. I offer you friendship. I see your beauty. I hear your need. I feel your feelings. My wisdom flows from the Highest Source. I salute that Source in you. Let us work together for unity and love.
-- Mahatma Gandhi

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mike_the_Headless_Chicken

What is our true heritage? So the economic situation looks bleak

Fri, 03 Oct 2008 23:26:35 -0000

We can't eat money, but think what is our true wealth? Our relatives, our friends and neighbours, our environment - our fertile earth, , our seed, earth's seeds
Think local, think heritage seeds,

http://www.earthportals.com/free.html

http://www.greenlivingtips.com/articles/130/1/Heirloom-and-heritage-seeds.html

http://www.primalseeds.org/seeds.htm

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/southern_counties/4656042.stm

Who was the last person you spoke to?

Fri, 03 Oct 2008 19:24:33 -0000

My mother, as I gave her a drink changed her into her nightie and helped her into bed, she still knows me and is grateful for what I do for her, but sadly her memory is not so good, her memory will not carry her through a book, so magazines suit better now, and we no longer have the deeper more involved conversations we once enjoyed, of course I still love and care for her, but I miss those conversations at a deeper level, for her sake as much as my own.

Of what are you a connoisseur?

Wed, 01 Oct 2008 18:04:54 -0000

I love and am totally fascinated by the magic of our interdependence within
such unique diverstity, from the tiniest plants and creatures to the largest
and most complex creatures and planets . It has been undervalued for too long, in our arrogance we have destroyed so much already and so many species are now under threat. I am at least aware and doing my best to redress the balance, though not an expert, I am truly appreciative and grateful. We are - because God Is. We, (not I),
and all else, are an indivisible work of art by the greatest of artists.

When was the last time you fell?

Tue, 30 Sep 2008 23:01:28 -0000

Fortunately for me I bounce; since a balance problem about 20 years ago,I stumble or
fall fairly frequently, earth catches me in her loving arms and no broken bones so far.
Life is for living, to create the future we want we must live the unique divinity we are and find love and peace within.. When we can see and appreciate the Divinity in All we will have fallen hook line and sinker into an Ocean of universal Love where peace reigns supreme

Wood Mouse. ( For Janet )

Sun, 28 Sep 2008 19:57:00 -0000

Wood Mouse

I've seen my cat there, she sits intent,

a patient statue under the old Hawthorne.

She guards the exit to a small tunnel

which leads to a nest with a little store;

where an active leaper, climber and sprinter

hoards a store of seeds, berries and nuts .

Attracted by seeds dropped by the birds

a flash of reddish brown with a long tail,

outsmarts the cat's watchful eye. Today

I reach for muesli for my breakfast, find

the wood mouse up on hind legs, big, bright,

button eyes beggin' for me to show mercy !

She's cute, russet fur, white front and big ears,

I cup her in my hands, return her to her territory,

she runs to earth beneath the Hawthorne.

Images of Wood Mouse

http://uk.images.search.yahoo.com/search/images?_adv_prop=image&fr=bt-portal-s&va=wood+mouse&sz=all

What does it mean to be a saint?

Sun, 28 Sep 2008 07:40:22 -0000

Saintliness.

Loving Oneness now.
It stems from humility,
compassion takes a bow -
a true love for humanity.
It's not -"Holier than Thou"

What does Autumn mean to you?

Tue, 23 Sep 2008 14:31:59 -0000

As a child, delight, my birthday falls in sept, bonfire night,making the guy, harvest festival a sharing of plenty with those less well off, blackberrying, stomping under the chestnut trees to release the fruits from spiny cases, nights by a roaring fire roasting them under hot coals....oh the delicious aroma.
As an adult, garden harvest in, planting for early crops next year. Observing the perplexity of nature stll not quite sure if it heralds winter, spring blossom on my apple tree, the kiwi leaves brown and dry in part, other trees still green, tthe elderberry and blackberries are still fruiting, Wondering if the gulf stream will desert us due to the ice melt, if it does it means a cold hard winter, if not probably a milder than usual winter.
Grateful we had a reasonable harvest, not sure what to plan for.....determined to keep my emissions down to alleviate what I can.Feelings of identification - my autumn years too.

What's the best way to celebrate peace? Join me for twelve hours?

Sun, 21 Sep 2008 13:59:23 -0000

How can we celebrate something that does not yet exist.? We do not have world peace yet and my country is not fully at peace because our troops are still deployed and fighting abroad, our cities are not peaceful, there are gangs and youths including girls who thrive on aggression fuelled by alcohol, stabbings and other violence occur with depressing frequency. We may ask can I do? Aggression makes ripples, but it takes more than non-aggression to promote peace, I want to make ripples that will actively promote peace - phew it is a tall order, not sure I have it in me to always be that perfect - one step at a time perhaps?
  I look within. -
           Just for today I will be happy and agreeable. I will look as well as I can, dress becomingly, keep my voice gentle and be be courteous,
           Just for today I will not criticize not one bit. I won't find fault with anything, nor try to improve or regulate anybody but ME.

             Just for today I will adjust myself to what is, and not try to adjust everything to my own desires. I will take my luck as it comes, and fit myself to it.
            Just for today I will exercise my spirit in three ways: I will do somebody a good turn, and not get found out; if anybody knows of it, it will not count. I will do at least two things I don't want to do just for exercise, I will pay three people a well thought out compliment to show my appreciation
            Just for today  I will be loving and compassionate,  I will not rise to anger, even if hurt, I will not show it.

Phew! Well it's only for 12 hours, lets see how well I can do?

A Wildflower Garden ( Cinquain Sequence in praise of nature )

Thu, 18 Sep 2008 08:49:04 -0000

A wildflower garden. ( Cinquain sequence )

Primrose.

Peeps through

broad-leafed rosette,

hidden in mossy banks.

Pale yellow face raised in clusters,

shyly.

Narcissus

He drowned

in this damp place,

golden sun-ray trumpets

nod, wind-kissed, sing of beauty where

he died.

Clover

Ball-head,

hue may vary,

from pink to rich purple

trifoliate - find four leaves, you're

in luck.

Dog violet

Leaf-hearts

on long runners,

sweet violet faces -

deep shady places, dense perfume,

beloved.

Lesser celandine

Star-like

bright gold flowers,

closed in dreary weather.

Wordsworth's beloved flower - adorns

his tomb.

Aconites

Glinting

meteors rain

on dewy woodland floor.

Pure white starbursts of aconites

in bloom.

Wild hyacinth.

Bluebells

their flower heads

weave aromatic carpets

on woodland and hedgerow - hyacinth

scented.

Speedwell

A blue

four-petalled eye

reflects the azure sky.

Found on disturbed ground, the common

Figwort.

Wild Arum

Arrow

shaped stalked leaf,

pale green hood cups flowers

later - orange red berries ripe with

poison.

Rosebay willowherb

Bombweed

thrives after fire,

stands tall, a handsome cone,

pink-purple cluster flowers, pods -

shrapnel.

Marsh marigold.

Kingcup,

regal golden

flowers spreading in bog,

blooms, a blaze of vibrant sunshine

yellow.

Ox-eye daisy

Early

coloniser

brightens new embankments.

Gold centred white petals, modest

sweet face.

Cow Parsley.

Cushions

of white flowers

top umbrella spoke stems.

Widespread in shady places like

hedgerows.

Wood sorrel.

Cup like

solitary,

flowers, white, veined in mauve,

fruit explodes - contains oxalic

acid.

Broom

A sweep

of golden pea-

flowers, tinged with red,

trigger released pollen, when bee

visits

Dandelion

Golden

French - dent de lion.

Seeds fly where the wind wills

from wondrous symmetry, life starts

anew.

Heartsease.

Compact,

and tufted, found

on breckland and dunes, small

yellow flowered profusion, quite

dainty.

Monks hood

A man's

height.. Our arrows

once tipped with root's poison.

Terminal deep blue flowers with

helmet.

Buttercup

Gardener's

foe - invasive!

Deep gold mirror petals,

a child's toy - Tell me, do you like

butter?

Fleabane

Supposed

to drive off fleas!

Golden yellow sunhats

daisy-like - brighten wet meadows,

ditches.

Foxglove

Purplish

pink bells open

from the base on tall stems,

placed on a finger make fairy

thimbles.

Corn poppy

Flower

crimson, spread wide

by pepper-pot seed case.

Reminds us of the killing fields

blood red.

Bee orchid

Attracts

male bumble bee.

purplish flower looks like

female bee, the male, fooled, - attempts

to mate.

Dodder

No leaves

or roots. Suckers

tap parasite to gorse

Waxy pink bell posies, entwined -

sup host.

Ramsons

White star

cluster flowers,

above broad pointed leaves.

Massed in woods. waft a strong garlic

shower.

Dog Rose

England's

flower, palest

pink and sweetly scented,

autumn's red hips. Rootstock for rose,

garden.

Honeysuckle

Woodbines

twine high clockwise,

in hedgerows and woodland

the air is laden with honeyed

sweet scent.

Nightshade

Deadly,

stout bushy plant

dull purple bell flowers.

Glossy black fruits poisonous, may

cause death.

Butterwort

Sticky

common in bogs

insectivorous plant,

leaf margins roll, digest insects

in trap.

Marsh mallow

Local

on salt marshes

pink flowers grey-green leaves

Roots used for confectionary

flavour.

Scarlet pimpernel

Poor man's

weather glass, red

flowers, purple centres,

close when sun goes in. Square stem lays

prostrate.

Spear Thistle

Scotland's

emblem.. Food plant

for goldfinches. Prickly

collar round single purple red

flower.

Columbine

Flowers

blue, with curved spurs.

Found in damp woods and fens

Latin columba, said to look

like doves.

Ground Ivy

Ale hoof

once used before hops,

to clear and flavour beer.

Violet- blue flowers, on rooting

runners

Agrimony

Yellow

church steeples. Faint

smell like apricots. Small

flowers on tall, slim, tapering

clusters.

Daisy

Gold disc,

outer white fringe

closes in dull weather.

Rosette of spoon shaped leaves holds eye

of day.

Global Bubbles.

Tue, 16 Sep 2008 23:21:39 -0000

Global Bubbles.

Every kid's fascinated
by bubbles,testing how big
we can blow each one
Over inflated I watch
the housing bubble burst
heavy debt filled
institutions splatter
bankrupt on the floor.
A huge population bubble
wobbling, unsustainable.
has hit the ecosystem
ceiling, we can't grow
anymore. Our family needs
to downsize, we can't break
the ecosystem, recovery
depends on those systems.
related, interdependent
within a unified whole
Break the ceiling and bang
goes the most beautiful
bubble of all - Earth.
Hear humanities cries,
we have soap in our eyes .

What do you love that others don't necessarily understand?

Sun, 14 Sep 2008 14:32:23 -0000

I was once physically grabbed by both arms by a couple and pulled away when I noticed a dishevelled street person who looked distressed. Love was behind their actions, they were concerned for my safety, but I was not afraid and wanted to go to that persons aid. Why was that person , in that state, distressed? A lack of compassion and love, the human touch, for too long folk had passed them by until they withdraw no longer caring - even for themselves. We condemn, and don't even try to understand how it happens. It is safer not to enquire, so we flock together in the safety of like friends. I will be there for the flea ridden tramp, the prostitute, the paedophile, the criminal, the prejudiced, the war like, the homeless that cross my path, ignore them and they will multiply, their children and their childrens children will perpetuate more of the same. Only by receiving love compassion and respect will they learn what it is. and pay it forward. What is the cost of ignoring it? Do we leave them like this, and if we do, what are the consequences ?

The Paedophile.

Imagine three dolls,
one glass, one plastic
and one of steel.
Given identical blows
the glass doll shatters,
the plastic doll
receives a large dent
the steel doll is unaffected.

I'm the plastic doll,
Father was the hammer.
I was 8 when his tirade
smashed my world, I knew
I'd never be the same again.

Mother hated me from birth,
lashed me with her tongue
used every opportunity
to show me how much
I was despised

When Father was drunk
and incapable,she toyed
with her plastic doll
There was no affection -
and no escape. She stirred
a seething cauldron
of sex and hate,

it bubbles to the surface,
and I can't slam the lid down.
it overflows - I wank and fantasize -
bitch, I want to throttle her
fuck you. Fuck up mother

I watch this little girl,
she's plastic, her skin is fair,
limbs delicate and she has red hair -
just like mother's,

What is it that makes us alive?

Fri, 12 Sep 2008 21:06:10 -0000

What is it that brings life to us? With the emphasis on us - Creation, energy, existence, awareness, sensibility, spirit passion, humour,, intellect, heart, imagination, it flows more freely when we cease aggression, grasping, wanting, needing, searching to take a leap of faith, when we let love and gratitude lead us to connect with the unity of Oneness and Creation to complete our journey full circle. Gratitude because we realise without Oneness and Creation we couldn't exist, and love because all are one in creation interdependent - harm one - harm self., love self - love All, Our energy comes from and pulses with the universal heartbeat, all a part of one energy
It is a perfect system, hatred, greed and selfishness leads to loneliness, unhappiness,
and misery, which sends us scurrying back to love, which leads to unity.

Autumn Gold a collection of individual Haiku for you all

Tue, 09 Sep 2008 21:15:56 -0000

Autumn Gold.

hay stacked sky-high
farmer drives cart home
daylight fades

Sunset
storm cloud underbellies
scorched

sillhouetted
on harvest moon
leaves tremble

he spies a worm
robin's vantage point
my idle spade.

meadow paints
golden canvas of cubism
hay in bales

Autumn
pink hydrangea flowers
wabi sabi

Who have you lived with the longest?

Tue, 09 Sep 2008 12:24:17 -0000

Through Thick and Thin Times.

She has been there as long
as I can remember, my best
friend. Like most friends
we argue sometimes,her plans
and mine conflict. At times
she tells me home truths
that fill me with abject dismay
and shame, but when I shine
her joy fills me with elation
a happiness that feels sublime.
We know each other pretty
well, she loves me anyway
aware of both my good points
and my darker shadow side.
Together we have come far,
sharing our innermost secrets
free rein, no subject is taboo.
My respect and love for her
has deepened over the years.
I learned to trust her judgement
be less foolish, selfish and wilfull.
I would love to introduce her -
please - meet my higher-self.

Have you ever found a letter meant for someone else?

Mon, 08 Sep 2008 12:47:58 -0000

I respect others privacy would not read anothers letter intentionally, they would have to ask me to read it. Other than that I am surrounded by love letters, we all are

Tied with a Green Ribbon.

Heady perfume drifts from a white
page of Jasmine. I turn the page.

In magenta, huge ink-blot splashes -
rhodedendrons joyfully displayed.

Feel the next page, toes wriggle,
luxuriate in damp velvet grass.

My eyes mist over as they scan
clouds of bouffant babies breath.

A page scented with turkish delight
old fashioned roses in bright vermillion.

Athletic runner beans scrawl tendrils
up on high, write a script in the sky.

Another page, coloured aqua, zig -
zag flash of emerald damselflies.

From wooded hillside a cuckoo
sings two notes, sweet and simple.

Read these tender love letters sent
by the sun and the rain. Your heart

will ache with love for the earth,
you'll turn it back to green again.

What is the best way to love the Earth?

Sat, 06 Sep 2008 09:04:07 -0000

I would ask them to feed the earth
with wormeries and rich dark compost
To desist from the planets depletion
and rape, leaving her forests agape.
To stop dumping and spread of plastic
and toxic chemical waste and use green
methods of keeping us clean, our homes
are the place to start, chemicals spray
a sterile sheen but toxins build up
in our kids - unseen. Have a heart,
Earth has a fever we need to relieve
her, lower our emissions and grow
some more trees.Please learn simplicity
farm and garden organically, and plan
for a future sustainability Health is a gift
that comes when we live our lives naturally.

http://www.motherearthnews.com/ US
http://www.susuorganic.co.uk/recycling_and_sustainability_ct.php

http://www.biggreenswitch.co.uk/ UK
http://www.soilassociation.org/ uk