It has become a standard practice for me now to make a slam poem from the words of opening or closing circles, as a way to reflect to a group something of it’s wholeness. \u00a0These poems are completely improvised, using the words of the participants as material. \u00a0There is a lot of reincorporation of people’s words in these poems which makes for a lovely reminder when I read it out and participants shift their awareness around the circle<\/p>\n
A poem I wrote at the end of the Open Space for Transition Nelson. \u00a0One of our participants brought her two chickens to the event to look after them while she was away from her house. \u00a0On day two the chickens escaped, which explains one of the lines in this piece.<\/p>\n
\nPracticality, courage<\/p>\n
Where's the agenda?<\/p>\n
Appreciative thanks<\/p>\n
amazed it didn't tank<\/p>\n
This scenario is a dream and it seems that<\/p>\n
whatever happened, happened.<\/p>\n
Woooo….<\/p>\n
Gratitude is the attitude of rebirth<\/p>\n
A reenergized connection, soft walk on the earth<\/p>\n
Want to pass a torch but also linger on the porch of this<\/p>\n
new house created by friendship<\/p>\n
and the magic in the talk…<\/p>\n
We gonna rock…<\/p>\n
I'm already looking younger, cultivating the hunger<\/p>\n
for transitioning, repositioning,<\/p>\n
gestating and relating, digesting and reflecting<\/p>\n
seeing what is born this morning<\/p>\n
feeling what is important to raise<\/p>\n
in these days of unity, community, in what is bigger than me.<\/p>\n
I'm new to this place<\/p>\n
but what a face you wear –<\/p>\n
a community of angels who care.<\/p>\n
It's open and I'm curious to see where it goes,<\/p>\n
two feet, ten toes<\/p>\n
I don't know, but somebody knows<\/p>\n
and I feel direction, infection<\/p>\n
a virus of creative work<\/p>\n
the explosion of potential that stars from a spark,<\/p>\n
light sparkling in the dark.<\/p>\n
Thanks to the angels and the bees<\/p>\n
and all that frees us to fly, respond to the calling<\/p>\n
pick up those that are falling<\/p>\n
and send them back in the air.<\/p>\n
I'm more connected than ever before<\/p>\n
walked through a door to a store full of knowledge \u00a0and inspiration<\/p>\n
full of awe at the creation of what's going on –<\/p>\n
knowing that together I can be strong enough<\/p>\n
to live off the grid, draw on my own power,<\/p>\n
this is the hour!<\/p>\n
Even the chickens have become free!<\/p>\n
It's hard to do this alone,<\/p>\n
to clear a field full of stones,<\/p>\n
to live a peace that is co-owned<\/p>\n
bring a bell to the young,<\/p>\n
three deep breaths,<\/p>\n
words that rest lightly on the tongue<\/p>\n
and hold the terror of action,<\/p>\n
the commitment to a fraction of change<\/p>\n
to a group that can rearrange the best of what we have –<\/p>\n
time, ideas, muffins –<\/p>\n
strange resources for a movement, but sustenance is a must for sustainability<\/p>\n
so that's good.<\/p>\n
So in the shadows of locally hewn wood<\/p>\n
in a place free of shoulds,<\/p>\n
I acknowledge the work we have done<\/p>\n
and the potential of what is to come<\/p>\n
life springing from ash,<\/p>\n
passion leading to action,<\/p>\n
a rekindled fire that burns off<\/p>\n
guilt and fear.<\/p>\n
Inspired –<\/p>\n
our future starts here.<\/p>\n