Member Poem

I
The signs are as clear as they get:
Shiva dances wildfire in our western states.

The Amazon’s fierce flames                                                                                                                  
still tear oxygen from the unsuspecting air.      

8 million acres of the Australian bush
decimated  
(animals are rarely counted)                                                                                                                   

In this world-sequestered time of plague
fever rages in the bodies of the afflicted
over  one-hundred-million deaths in our country alone

Economies and governments reel
The evil king prepares his fascist machine in plain sight                                                                            
Cruelty and selfishness abound                                                                                           
Nothing holds

The night convoy presses ever northward
hypnotic lights entrancing the sign readers                                                                                              
promising full passage to the night circus
(Should we have followed?)                                                         

Women, at this late stage,
begin to find our voices
still, all seems lost
                                                                           
II
Here mountains stand
in perfect equanimity
rendering strength to all who wish
Pine and spruce offer                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
Roots, ground, and stature

Stand now                                                                                
as tree and mountain                                                                                                            
stand against the storm                                                                                                      
bending with the winds.
Take your sensitivity
from the Mountain Iris                                                                                                             
as she moves to the subtle breeze.                                                                                                                                                                              
Take strength and sturdiness
swords against complacency
Do not remain silent.
Do not remain inactive.
Right speech and right-action demand the truth
Speak   March   Communicate                                                                                                                                               
Place yourself firmly within this cycle
This is the time of the great turning

Do not quit your inner work!