quote: “….thus realizing our embodied spirit….”
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Category Archives: radical grace
poem: invitational presence
poem: invitational presence
like the lodestar
in the dark of night
calling us to safe harbor
the host setting
an extra place at the table
for the unexpected guest
the healer connecting
deeply with others
through their own wounds
the creative soul
offering its expression
as a gift to the universe
the True Self animating
our life together
in communities of belonging
the spirit uplifting
the life and dignity
of all oppressed beings
the dear friend who
senses our need
and reaches out in support
being the invitational presence
subtly communicating to all
one’s radical acceptance and inclusion
Herb Stone
here&now working poetry
July 22, 2022
self photo “Opening the Heart Chakra’
Author’s note: Each of us can cultivate
an invitational presence which is key
to fostering healthy beings, relationships,
and communities of authentic belonging.
An excellent resource on invitational
presence and belonging is Toko-Pa Turner’s book,
‘Belonging: Remembering Ourselves Home.”
This is an area I must continually work on due to
a temperament for solitude.
poem: a gently healing path back to holistic health (embraced by mother Earth)
poem: a gently healing path
back to holistic health
(embraced by mother Earth)
back to holistic health
(embraced by mother Earth)
a tapestry of green
with mixed colors dance
before our eyes absorbing us
into the bright sunlight
outside our door
a cool breeze wraps
our neck with the shade
of the large trees
swaying to and fro
engulfing us
for the first time
in too many days
light lunch al fresco
and a short walk to the
koi meditation pool
gently setting us on the
healing path from our
collective dis-ease and
its isolating malaise to
our shared holistic Earth Home
Herb Stone
here&now working poetry
July 11, 2022
photos by author
Author’s note: upon my beloved
and I slowly recovering from
being infected with COVID.
poem: somewhere between solitude and loneliness
poem: somewhere between solitude and loneliness
being here now in solitary existence
somewhere between solitude and loneliness
reflecting on recent events and experiences:
aging, disease, injury, separation, siloing,
the world and its totalizing systems
struggling, striving, sitting with challenges,
reconciling the grace of our being,
the preciousness of our life together,
and the amazing beauty of our Earth Home
with tender heart and teary eyes
busy, tired, and weary at times,
continuing at my task knowing
that we can bear it together
through connecting, belonging, and sharing,
grateful for authentic relationships and community
sitting quietly, listening,studying, reflecting, creating,
and connecting continue in this busy season of the suffering
arriving as an unexpected guest at my door,
each invited in and treated with truth and respect
Herb Stone
here&now working poetry
June 21, 2022
here&now working poetry
June 21, 2022
art by Andrew Wyeth, ‘Christina Olsen, Triton’
Author’s note: I have struggled to write this, or anything else down, for over a
week. Knowing that sharing one’s suffering is very unfashionable in our
contemporary culture and society of everyone for themselves, I hesitate. I do not
share my poem from the perspective of being a victim, or a denier, or a masochist,
or from a place of apathy. Rather, I share from the perspective of witnessing,
or from a place of apathy. Rather, I share from the perspective of witnessing,
better understanding, gifting, connecting, authentic belonging, and healing in the
tension of our suffering and our joie de vivre! The last three lines of stanza four
are after Rumi’s poem ‘The Guest House.”
poem: being a stillpoint in the ceaseless rush
quote: “To be alive is to be vulnerable.”
poem: the peace of kindred spirits
poem: the peace of kindred spirits
beyond our struggles with sentimentality,
hubris, conceit, nostalgia; and subduing
our apathy, helplessness, and perverse
notions of suffering
manifesting our inner True Self,
coming to full fruition, joining
with others in the mutuality of belonging
together in authentic communities
coming to full fruition, joining
with others in the mutuality of belonging
together in authentic communities
realizing the deep knowing and peace
of meeting the other and connecting
as kindred spirits; two lost pieces
of a puzzle fitting effortlessly together
now the bigger picture beyond self
arising into relief and clarifying its movement
towards deeper and more inclusive
authentic, complementary wholeness
my deepest gratitude and appreciation
for you kindred spirits who see me,
and I, you, wounded healers all,
dear friends belonging in beloved community
Herb Stone
here&now working poetry
May 12, 2022
art image unattributed
quote: the big picture
quote: the big picture
Dedicated to everyone now facing great life challenges and worldly suffering including ill health, aging, separation from a loved one, personal loss, loneliness, waning faith and hope, and weariness, etc. You are not alone. I see you beloveds 
Wizened, Wisened
For you all, my dear friends! Loving one another 💓
