Southwestern College Santa Fe, NM
Poem and Images by Mary Edson
Sprout is a story about the interplay between the unconscious and conscious parts of the psyche. It is about the experience of being in the underworld of one’s soul and discovering the inherent and sometimes hidden gifts of resiliency, courage and compassion.
Once upon a time, in the darkness of a well
where water and dew drop moss embraced
the secrets resting in dreams which dwell
fears of silent messages stood to be faced
Raven soaring under and above
planted a seed fed by the teachings
obtained through tribulation and love
Above the seeker, an ominous storm did stir
ease, comfort, and curiosity diminished
as old dreams turned into a nightmareish blur
a gently sung lullaby never to be finished
The soul, gripped by a ravaging flood of sorrow
sought solace in the lustrous light of the eve’s full moon
and tear by tear, invoked grace on the morrow
steeping herbs for the lone heart to be nourished soon
Guided by forces greater than thee
tracing the skeleton of the earth
what does it mean to feel free
for a seed of thought to give birth
Wrapping arms around despair
each heart beat expresses care
a blank, dark wall waits it’s turn
rapidly approaching shadows of concern
Casting out doubt and fear
the soul of silence speaks loud
the warrior within is near
lessening the grip of the storm cloud
Abstraction cradles fleeting moments
Memories from the distant past change with time
the soul soars after the struggle of the climb
With each breath comes a thoughtful expression
Freeing the mind and body from oppression
Freeing emotion from the confines of repression
Freeing the heart to listen with intuition and discretion
In the well of dreams and the great unknown
A tree marks the passage of time standing tall and brilliant
The wind shares its stories through an ageless moan
Softly whispering voices of the resilient
the nature of muck and beauty intrinsically grown
