Little Home on the Alsea (WC)

(Wendy Cabell, February 24, feast day of the Virgin of Guidance , Our Lady Ending the Plague (541), (above) Saint Agnes of Prague (letters to/from Saint Clare), Saint John the Baptist (finding of head), and Blessed Florentina Nicol Goñi. On Jewish calendar today is Ezekiel Foretells the Downfall of Israel's Enemies (421 BC), and The "Minor" Shushan Purim. Image, from St. Agnes Convent in Prague, is from here. )

Little Home on the Alsea

Can you hear your small heart next to mine

and the house breathing as it holds us?

–Helen Mort, “Push the button, hear the sound”

     

Room here for hundreds of books. Room for several stashes of tea –- dandelion, fennel, raspberry, rose. Room for rainbows (paints, pens line the desk), Icons all round these walls. Friendly wink of the oil lamp’s flame. Room for Joseph’s voice at morning prayer, family Rosary come evening. Room for the stovetop bubbling with porridge. Room for body’s swaying, reaching. Room for soul’s sleeping, weaving. Room for improvement -- no doubt. But as step by small step flows the way, there’s room for joy this day –-

*From prompt: Freewrite as inspired by “Knocking or Nothing” by Mary Szybist. From Lisa Freedman’s BreatheReadWrite Studio Time, February 24, 2024. 

She (WC)

 

(Wendy Cabell, February 1, 2024, Saint Bridget’s Day, Imbolc, Forefeast of the Meeting of our Lord in the Temple, Socola Icon of the Mother of God, Martyrs Perpetua and company, Blessed Ela of Lacock. On Jewish calendar today is Rebbetzin Chaya Mushkah Schneerson’s Yahrtzeit (1988). Image from here, and more info here.)

She

(according to Saint Brigid of Kildare) 

small acts, willing love

holds what is most powerful

even magical

*Inspired by "THE BRIDGE Brigid of Kildare"episode of the What’s Her Name Podcast, most specifically this part: “Call it belief, call it faith, call it physics, her life story has always been held up as an example that to those who believe all things are possible. Brigid of Kildaire believed in the goodness of people. She believed that small actions are enough. They are powerful, even magical”

Before Spotting Cherry Blossoms (WC)

 

(Wendy Cabell, January 25, 2024, feast day of  Tu BiShevat (New Year for Trees), Our Lady's Shroud,  the (above) Milkgiver Icon of the Mother God (old calendar), the “Assuage my Sorrows” Icon of the Mother of God, the "Unexpected Joy" Icon of the Mother of God, Saint Dwynwen (of the family of Saint Brychan of Brecknock; coined the maxim, "nothing wins hearts like cheerfulness"),  . Image from here.)

Before Spotting Cherry Blossoms

light spring breeze, heart waits tiny shoots seek the tender touch-- of the One Who Loves

*From prompt: Freewrite as inspired by “My Father Holds the Door for Yoko Ono” by Christopher Chambers. From Lisa Freedman's BreatheReadWrite, January 25, 2024.

When Pregnant with Possibility (WC)

 

(Wendy Cabell, 12th day of Advent, 5th day of Hanukkah--light's tipping point, feast day of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Saint Edburga of Thanet, Saint Agatha of Wimborne and Blessed Ida of Nivelles. Image from here.)

When Pregnant with Possibility

(for the feast day of Our Lady of Guadalupe, 2023)

Are you not in the folds of my mantle? 

In the crossing of my arms? 

– Our Lady of Guadalupe to St. Juan Diego

 

This babe christened Possibility warmed on through by the sun straight through the skin to the marrow the place where love is spun. This babe is round as the moon’s wink as soft as your Mama’s touch, it not taking much now to notice: Today, it holds so much. Will rain wash clean the week’s smudges, or will it be a light breeze? Will gold stars crown the to-do list, or moments be spent as do please? It’s all in the folds of Her mantle, arms any babe can trust, hands that point straight to Starlight– the word impossible hushed

*From prompt: Freewrite as inspired by “Gestational Size Equivalency Chart” by Catherine Pierce. From Lisa Freedman's BreatheReadWrite, December 12, 2023. 

Hurray Sunday (WC)

 

(Wendy Cabell, November 26, 2023, feast day of Our Lady of Soufanieh (from which: "God saves me, Jesus enlightens me, the Holy Spirit is my life, thus I fear nothing."), Our Lady of the Mountains, and Blessed Delphine of Glandèves. On Jewish calendar today Talmud completed (475). Image from here.)

Hurray Sunday

(though it can be any day, every day)

If the only prayer you ever say in your entire life 

is thank you, it will be enough. -–Meister Eckhart.

Hurray Sunday is inspired by the idea floating around out there of writing thank you cards on Thanksgiving. Which never seems to happen at our house. But we’ve been thinking, this Sunday following might just be the perfect time. That is, if it’s kept simple, perhaps an image (some favorite freebies here, here) with a short note. A “Hurray, so thankful for you!”. Which is also inspired by 94 year old Patricia (Patsy) Garlan‘s awesome philosophy of “a rumbling, tumbling ‘Yay!’ every day”, shared recently at Mythica’s Gratitude Cafe. To which, and to many more, a big…Hurray!

Praying (WC)

 

(Wendy Cabell, November 24, 2023, Day after Thanksgiving, Afterfeast of the Entry of the Most Holy Mother of God into the Temple, feast day of Our Lady of Montserrat, Saint Katherine of Alexandria, Saint Mastridia of Alexandria and Blessed Maria Anna Sala. Image from here.)

Praying 

(a found poem)

not for what I want to be

but to be opened by what is here

a rumbling tumbling

“Yay”--everyday!

*Lines (heard at Kayleen Asbo (of Mythica)’s Gratitude Cafe, November 24, 2023) are from Rosemerry Wahtola Trommer and Patricia (Patsy) Garlan, respectively, used with permission.

Thank-Feel (WC)

 

(Wendy Cabell, November 20, 2023, Forefeast of the (above) Entry into the Temple of the Most Holy Theotokos, Our Lady of La Guarde, and feast day of Blessed Maria Fortunata Viti. Image from here.)

Thank-Feel

And this world — it can hold so much sadness and pain. It also holds an infinite well of wonder*

like the warmth

of hand, of heart

and the stars

in mind, in eyes

and all that’s melodic,

              s p a c i o u s 

and the veto power of a smile

and to-day --

Its current itinerary

is enough.

*Above quote by Victoria Bennett, author, from interview on Resilience Rising podcast episode 27.

**From prompt: Free write as inspired by the etymology of “thank” and related quotes. From Lisa Freedman’s BreatheReadWrite, November 20, 2023.

When In Darkness (WC)

(Wendy Cabell, November 18, 2023, feast day of (above) Our Lady of Chiquinquira, Saint Rose Philippine Duchesne, Saint Mabyn/Mabenna of Cornwall, Blessed Karoliny Kózkówny and Noah the Patriarch. Image from here.)

When In Darkness

(adventures in severe light sensitivity) 

You get in there and fight it, says optometrist –-

                                                                           though not how. 

Likely a systemic issue, hard to treat, says another doctor, closing door.  

You get in there and cope, says self. Adapt the home, cover the windows, mask the

glare. Hunt for red and amber nightlights, light candles. Don red glasses, a dear gift

from Mom. When your Aunt finds a computer your eyes can handle, cry Alleluia!

You get in there and reap, says Spirit –- Cherish Light. Let the air in. They say

Icons are windows to Heaven, now near forty ringing these walls. Note             

                                         the light shines in the darkness, and the 

                                    darkness has not overcome it. --John 1:5

                                       

You get in there, as in inward

the appointed meeting place.

You get in there --

where the Light is

*From Prompt: Write list of difficult things have learned or accomplished, then choose one, ponder what the difficulties were there and how made things work (think both concrete and metaphorical/fanciful), how it changed you, changed world--then free write as inspired by Ellen Bass' "How to Apologize". From Robbi Nester's Saturday Generative Writing class (the Poetry Salon), November 18, 2023.

Mountain Mama (WC)

 

(Wendy Cabell, November 11, 2023, feast day of Saint Martin of Tours and Saint Marina of Omura. On Jewish calendar today is blessing of the new month, and Flood ends (2104 BC). Image from personal SoulCollage deck.)

Mountain Mama

(while before SoulCollage version of the 

“Queen of All” Icon of the Mother of God”)

nooks sprout wings where Your 

feet brush, Angels' pharmacy–-

Skyspun remedies

*From prompt: Freewrite as inspired by quotes mentioning feet. From Lisa Freedman’s BreatheReadWrite, November 11, 2023.

Mothering (WC)

  

(November 10, 2023, feast day of Our Lady of Anosivolakely, Our Lady of Last Agony ("'And after this our exile, show unto us the Blessed fruit of thy womb, Jesus.' A true servant of Mary cannot perish..."), and Pope Saint Leo the Great. Image is from family photo album, Great Grandma Otten's restaurant, 1920's, California.)

Mothering 

(much needed about now; a found/group poem)

Closed hearts perhaps just needing a lift,

all of them kissed and hugged us 

as if we were the most wonderful children in the world–-

It could be on any menu, today’s special on any day

*Lines from self, Suzanne Westhues and Lisa Freedman (used with permission), in that order. From prompt: Freewrite as inspired by “Kissing in Vietnamese” by Ocean Vuong. From Lisa Freedman’s BreatheReadWrite, November 5, 2023. 

First Light (WC)

(Wendy Cabell, November 8, 2023, feast day of Our Lady of Bellefontaine, the Archangels, St. Elizabeth of the Trinity (last words: "I am going to Light, to Love, to Life!"), St. Cybi (son of Saint Wenna/Gwen, St. Non's sister), Bl. Placidia of Verona and Bl. John Duns Scotus ("...taught that the divine was present in every(thing)... precisely in its uniqueness" --Laura Rutland).

Image is "Umm Nur" (Muslim title for Our Lady, meaning "Mother of one who was Light") by Wendy Cabell)

First Light

Loved into being, be

Thy way of seeing. Sun's slow

seep -- In through the night

*Lines are from verses/images came during Laura Thompson's Mother of All The World Workshop, Saturdays of August 30-November 5, above painting from same, October 14, 2023. It is faceless in the tradition of Willow Tree, etc.

Rainbow Mother (WC)

 

(Wendy Cabell, November 1, All Saints Day (part of Fall Tridium), feast day of (above) Our Lady of Heede/the Universe, Deborah the Prophetess, Rachael the Matriarch and Ruth the Matriarch. On Jewish calendar today Great Flood Begins (2105 BC). Image from here.)

Rainbow Mother

(for the feast day of Our Lady of the Universe, 2023)

We are dressed in the scaffold of creation… 

called to co-create.-– St. Hildegard of Bingen

Red Your solid pathway

Orange our toasty glow

Yellow this seep of Sun

Greening from above -- below

Blue Your shielding mantle 

Indigo trailing through

Your Violets sure balm

for world’s violence —

Bloom!

*From prompt: Freewrite as inspired by “Blue Monday” by Diane Wakoski. From Lisa Freedman’s BreatheRead Write, November 1, 2023.

Bethlehem Prayer (WC)

 

(Wendy Cabell, day for Dedication of all Churches where the Consecration Date is Unknown, and feast day of the Philermos Icon of the Mother of God, Our Lady of Toledo, Saint Tabitha the Widow (raised from the dead by the Apostle Peter) and (above) Saint Canna verch Tewdr Marw. Image from here.)

Bethlehem Prayer 

(based on Our Lady’s revelations to Elizabeth

Kindelmann 9/15/62...may her blessing extend to us!)

Come with Saint Joseph and me. 

The Flame of Love seeks lodging... 

Move gently ahead

without any force.

Be careful

be hidden

be humble

that you may bear

the Flame of Love. 

We will guard you.

Come with us then!

We will walk the roads

of Bethlehem.  

Amen.