Hieroglyphic Stairway
It’s 3:23 in the morning
and I’m awake
because my great great grandchildren
won’t let me sleep
my great great grandchildren
ask me in dreams
what did you do while the planet was plundered?
what did you do when the earth was unraveling?
surely you did something
when the seasons started failing?
as the mammals, reptiles, birds were all dying?
did you fill the streets with protest
when democracy was stolen?
what did you do
once
you
knew?…
poem by Drew Dellinger
___________________________
“I Am Losing my Mother Words“
This statement reached my ears and I was unable to process the meaning, my deep heart had no such trouble.
“I am Losing my Mother Words”
These words were in response to a call from an adult son. A call to his mother, an attempt to make sense of the myriad of events tearing humanity apart. He was looking perhaps for ‘mother words’ of long ago, the ones that somehow put pieces back in order, that securely strapped you in even if it turned into a bumpy ride.
His question was one of bewilderment, how so many failed to see beauty, failed to choose peace over war, acceptance over hate.
I too am losing my ‘mother words’, my initial reaction was deep sadness but I soon realized that the ‘mother words’ of the present were of no use to either myself or any intended recipients. They were slowly being unmade, new words were forming, sent from the Ancestors for Future Generations. Words of transition and transmutation.
The speaker then described the beauty of apple blossoms in her garden and then the horror of bombs falling in another part of the world. What ‘mother words’ were being spoken by mothers and fathers huddled together holding children close as bombs exploded around them? What words will comfort in that reality?
Her next thought haunted me…
“Perhaps it is not,
never has been,
Either/Or
it is
Both/And
Apple Blossoms and Bombs.”
Wildly and Dangerously Free 
Very troubling and disheartening but nonetheless true. Both are real and my head is buried deeply in the sand.
Thanks for your rich imagery, Janet. You never cease to amaze. 🙏
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Disheartening but hopeful also whatever this transition brings…..the new beings being born into it, the grandchildren, great great grandchildren their hope, our hope, the merging of Both/And
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With your permission, I’d like to include your poem, with credit, in my site of quotations, Timeless Wisdoms.
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I would be honoured….
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This blog sent chills through me. It made me take notice of everything I’ve ever said or done. I wondered if I did enough to promote taking care of our planet to my children and grandchildren, or to my students. I know I gave good lessons as a teacher, but was it enough? Did I do enough with my own family to encourage awareness and change? I hope so. But who knows? This inspired me to rethink things and continue checking to make sure my family continues to make this an important issue. Since my children are grown I don’t see them daily or perhaps have the same influence over them.
But, I am involved in community projects and vote for candidates who will help save the planet. However, it’s a haunting reality that the future depends on the past. What we do today sets things in motion.
A VERY powerful read! Thanks for sharing.
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Oh Lesley, it will not surprise you that as I was writing this you came to mind, I knew that you would understand those words, the one that inspired me to write and have been haunting me since I heard them…”mother words” father words where do we find the words to comfort in these days of transition?I am looking for them even as I feel my mother words being “unmade”
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I am honored that you thought of me. You always write so beautifully, and to me, you seem to get to the point by metaphorically reaching deep down into my soul. It’s extraordinary how you do that. Like you are capturing ancient civilizations and taking their wisdom and putting that knowledge into a poem or a thought. It is terrifying that the mother words are being unmade. I suppose that means we just have to work harder to keep that from happening. Just thinking about the consequences has me gasping for air…
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after my “deep sadness” it came to me…..the ‘unmaking’ may be part of the rebirth the birthing process is where the hard work gets done, the most perilous part of the journey…..safe travels to us all.
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Yes indeed. Safe travels. I have no doubt that the journey may be perilous. But, we MUST take that journey! I will see you on the road as we travel. Hopefully, we will succeed. All we can do is try our best and stay on course! Be safe my friend! ❤️✌️
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Such a powerful post. Others have already said what is on my mind and my heart after reading this post. Thank you.
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….felt like a tribute to those of us male and female trying to stay awake during these trying times. Thank you Jane
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Haunting indeed.
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Bojana… Both/And is reality, I remember your words very clearly ….thank you
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it’s amazing
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…thank you
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Lovely as always, Janet.The eagle sunrise is amazing, and makes mehomesick!”God is home; we are in the far country,” as MeisterEckhart said.I definitely feel in the far country, where words arenice little antiquities.
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I found your post profound…As I wither in light of all that is taking place in Fairy Creek, and other precious areas on Vancouver Island, where nature is juxtaposed awkwardly against money and jobs. Nature being the thing we cannot live without.
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Ceri it can seem so overwhelming and it feels like right now the island is being populated by an ever increasing number of humans that appear to have never asked themselves “how much is enough?”
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