kindred

i had such a beautiful experience last evening...was at my shared studio...we were having an open mike...folks came and i was sitting there waiting to read my poetry..felt myself more relaxed than i had been in months around others...it was just a remarkable group of people from different ways and of different ages who came together to share the simple love of song, poetry and stories...i felt a level of trust and openness i have not had with others in such a long time...as if we all knew it was a sacred gathering and a lovingly kind fostering of all our creative desires...

a young man was singing and his voice was changing as he has been transitioning from child to man...it was humbling to witness him stand and sing even as his voice cracked...his love of music bringing him into a state of grace...he literally shined with his passion to sing...

and his mother and father showed their love of music as well...the husband playing guitar as the wife of 20 some years was singing...i delighted in their partnering...i delighted in their happines...

poets stepped up...each with the power of words...turning a room into other places and times...i was enchanted by them...left breathless by their weaving of images...

and when i stood and read my poems i felt safe...i felt supported...i felt held in a sacredness of others kindness...i hadnt read my words aloud to others in years...it was a pleasure...

and the woman i share space with delighted us with three songs...i must say i came to appreciate her even more...i am learning so much from her and as she was singing i could see the mastery of her voice and the clean notes marking each word off well...sisters of mercy was spot on as they all were...i dig that she digs cohen, dylan and mitchell...

i felt more welcomed into this circle than i have felt in other places...and i think it had to do with how open their hearts were and how gentle and good they all were...

as we all sat around telling our stories and getting to know each other someone would start singing some lyrics and we would all join in...it was so sweet and simple to be so open hearted around these good folks...there was no competition...no egos to deal with...just the communion of folks who were gathered together in a lovely old mill room to sing a few tunes and read a few lines...so simple but so profoundly moving...i will not forget it for a long time to come...