Vachellia Tortilis with Violins

Kara moja, sweet Babul am I
My trunk, the Ark for sacred Covenant
In ancient Heliopolis
Gods sprang from the door of my torso
Honorable member of Order Fabales
Straight shooter from the Family Fabaceae
Gracefully recognizable against the savannah's glow

Seek thou shelter 'neath my umbrella of thorns?
Soul of generosity, yet
I reveal my magical heart only
to those good folk who remember
that at some point everyone needs a hand up
Value and practice
humble Gratitude
Loving Kindness
Generosity
Protecting and caring for self all the while,
for you cannot pour from an empty cup

Wait-a-bit, so many demands made of me
by the grazing hordes
Hook and stab
wicked thorns but one defense
against the insatiable.
I keep a hollow bulb hidden at my roots
housing there a garrison of biting ants
to drive unwelcome masses from my table

Sly giraffes must approach downwind
gathering meager mouthfuls of my sweet leaves
Before I turn them noxious with tannin
Upon the winds releasing ethylene
warning neighbors of the marauders
Cleverly, silently, graciously
Just as I once rescued Osiris from Typhone's trick
keeping him safe til Mother Isis arrived upon the scene

Remember
Greed is selfish
unreasonable
blindly self-defeating
Self-defense becomes a sacred necessity
in a world rapidly forgetting kindness
Yet be generous, I preach
roots, pods, blossoms, leaves, and shoots
Offer shelter and comfort still
Feed the masses, tend the sick
Rehabilitate the haggard ground
Encourage others to grow
not grudgingly but with elation
For we are all connected
Your success is also mine, Beloveds
I desire most your spiritual illumination





For those new to the game, each poem is inspired by a Teacher found in Nature; a star, stone, animal, plant etc that holds lessons of Wisdom for those who listen. Can you guess who is singing today?

Joyful Requiem

Members of the Order Coleoptera
30,000 strong in our family alone
Clean up crew
humble tumblebugs are we
Antennae alert for messages divine
Moving mountains with our unassuming strength
as we trundle about collecting scattered debris

Six rays to our crown
Four more at each fossorial arm
help us dig chambers,sculpt our spheres
Whether simply a meal or masterwork
patiently we roll along seemingly at leisure
Six legs busy scuttling
wings sheathed beneath our black armor
we take the crap others leave behind
making miracles from nothing
Your trash becomes our treasure

Earthly incarnations
of creative Khepri
All along Egypt's coast
skittering down our tunnels
hidden in our sepulchral lairs
we feast or brood

From simple charms
to Pharaoh's tomb
Protective symbol of
Resurrection and Life Immortal
Carved in symbolic green
placed reverently upon your chest
Persuading Ma'at
that your own heart
should not testify against you
We attest

Reach for the new life awaiting
within each metaphoric death
Stretch your senses beyond five
We will help you solve problems
Help you come into being
Guide you through each metamorphosis
to your most authentic self
Don't fight it
Surrender to change
the only constant in this life
Be resourceful
Reclaim as yours what serves you
Recycle the rest.


For those new to the game, each poem is inspired by a Teacher found in Nature; a star, stone, animal, plant etc that holds lessons of Wisdom for those who listen. Can you guess who is singing today?

Wild Bards Sing the News

Rambling through southern Africa
Broad faces with Roman noses nodding
Humped shoulders sloped
Family Bovidae
Even-toed ungulates
Largest of the antelopes

Genus Connochaetes
Manes and beards flowing
These Teachers keep us
Up to date on our
Shamanic journeys
Warning of challenges
Failures along the way
As well as offering advice
on how to cope

"Everyone has their place within the family
Supporting, helping everything to flow
Intricately instinctively precise
Even if some of us wild beasts
branched off
About a million years ago

Larger brindled Blues remained
on the Ancestoral range
Changing little except perceptions
Matrons moving with the rainy season
One herd among many
Shifting shape in the greatest migration
Horns swept up to either side
Receiving inspiration

Earthy Blacks,
White tufted tails flashing
Horns curving defensively foreward
over our brows
We adapted our nomadic ways
Claiming new territories
from Kenya to Namibia
Taking turns at sentry
Grazing, guarding the family
while we drowse

Be Steadfast
Be Brave!
For the journey is long
The dangers as real, as great
As the potential rewards
Know when to stand your ground
When to run away
Living to fight another day.
Remember the safety
The support to be found in numbers
Yet don't hestitate to lead
Rather than meekly follow the herd

Beware the laughing hyenas
The grinning crocodiles
The friendly vultures
Anticipating your failures
To provide their feast.
Be aware,
But don't let them stop you
For your bold leap ahead
May be what saves you

Travel is necessary
to broaden the mind
Encouraging tolerant fellowship
With herds of varying stripe
Honing skills as well as instincts
Our calves almost hit the ground running
An action as necessary to survival
As knowing when the time is ripe."



 For those new to the game, each poem is inspired by a Teacher found in Nature; a star, stone, animal or plant with lessons for those who listen. Can you guess who is singing today?