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CULTIVATING THE WATCHER by Anita Brown

 I now refer to them as my Tribe…

Yes, the 40 wonderful women I met last month while away at a Kripalu manifestation retreat have become my tribe.  We support one another on our "secret" Facebook page through encouragement around jobs, relationships, writing, personal growth and health. Real friendships have formed and are growing. It is a beautiful place to check in and touch base.  

One lovely gal named Ginette is dreaming of starting her own vegetable farm in her community and really turning it into a full-time way to support herself and her family.

 I had been turning over the title of my next poem "Cultivating the watcher" in my head for a few weeks, when I sat down to write and realized that Ginette's dream was inspiring me.  As I crafted words around the farming theme, this is the creative message that came through.  I hope you like it!  And please support your local farmers.

Cultivating the Watcher

Once upon a time, I misidentified and
sowed into an entity
of another name
maybe we'll call her the migrant stranger
or
the "dreamer"

the one
who labels
and partitions
she toils
in dusty clay
a sluggish and
sleepy pasture
the tares flourishing
all the while

easily damaged
by a stiff breeze
or errant plow
not known for stability or maturity
the remains imploring to be
fertilized
reconstructed

till the soil
near the iron ore
chain link!
now there's a sturdy
framework
from which to hang
your worry
anger
and cowardice

But I live and reap in the field
of both weed and wheat

truth and pestilence

all is coming
without expectation of harvest


Anita Brown is a content mother of two teenagers and wife of 20 years, both of which she is grateful for every day. She began writing poetry in the fall of 2012 after a mini-breakdown cracked open her heart and allowed this newly found gift to shine through. Many months later, she is realizing the truth in the saying that ‘breakdown equals spiritual awakening’ as she is pleasantly shocked at how much more peace she has in her spirit and how that is reflected in her life.  Anita loves yoga, dancing, traveling, cooking, walking her golden Sierra, and quiet evenings at home. She especially enjoys teaching meditation to under-served communities and listening to others as they express the same joy at the transformation occurring from such simple but regular practice.


~If you are interested in seeing your poetry appear in this blog, or submitting a poem by a woman that has inspired you, please click here for submission guidelines. I greatly look forward to hearing from you!~
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  1. anita brownMarch 9, 2014 at 5:47 AM

    Chills taking in the beauty of the pics Ms. Ghosh has chosen to accompany my words..thank you!! And Thank you Ginette-- treasure yourself always <3

    ReplyDelete

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