imbolc again

I sat in a couple of music circles today
with a total of five fiddlers
of which I was easily the worst

my guitar playing also
was much too quiet
to try much

hence there will be
yet another spiritual component
to my music plans

that of the miracle
first of healing this wrist injury

and then actually finding
an appropriate genre
for my ahem homegrown style

my hope remains intact
by the realization
I do not play the way others do

and my now absolute commitment
that it will be dance and soul music

to bring forth
the waters on which
even a passionate idiotic klutz

may swim

___________________________


fortunately this evening I met
another fellow traveler

and we shared a powerful mutual desire
to travel to Cuba

that we might bring back inspiration
and living technologies

for the musician,
blissful street dance music

for the landscape designer
the real-world application
of permaculture

to feed hungry people
with homegrown gardens
on rooftops

and for both
the hope of bringing
reconciliation

with our beloved cousins

________________


I met others too
which was challenging
amidst the crowd

it looked like things were loosening up
as I decided it was time to be responsible
to the 5 am morning shift

and also recover from the
bit of stress being an introvert
amidst so many strong personalities

then again it was a sweet bunch of folks
many of whose names I remembered
for at least a few minutes


a ranch caretaker
who agrees the economy is falling apart
for very good reason

that of us coming together
again as a community
of human beings


a tall folk music loving woman
with beautiful energy
who was the host

and who wrote in the cool invitation
to the Imbolc party

about the tradition
of watching whether it is the badgers
or the snakes
which emerge from their dens


a sincere and empathic woman
who teaches at-risk teen girls
at the Girls Ranch

and who has offered her
bright mind and caring heart
to this rich and challenging calling


and a stunning mother of two
including a teen who really wanted to go home

the negotiation between them I enjoyed
trying to meet some common needs

for she wanted to chat
just long enough
to try Italian

___________


If I were to guess
I would say Imbolc
is meant to be
a regathering of community

amidst the break in the winter
after the first part
before the second

so it is likely
a mellower pagan holy time

where people shake off a little
bear slumber

awakening to others
and our interdependence again

and isn't that so cool

______________________


I almost hadn't gone
out of fatigue

but once decided
had such a lovely ride out
highway 14

that even this made
the decision
worthwhile

feeling happy to be doing
as odd and evolutionary a thing

as going to an Imbolc party
beneath a moon waxing
and nearly full