Heartbeat

This poem was written to be spoken aloud to drumbeat rhythms. Listen here.


~*~


When I hum the pulse of my heartbeat -

Hm-hmm, hm-hmm,

hm-hmm, hm-hmm -

I transcend time to the jungle heat

of Haiti, where children danced and spun

on joyful feet, drums sung the part

of the ancient story of community,

and chimes of laughter entranced me.

Hm-hmm, hm-hmm,

hm-hmm, hm-hmm.

Mother Earth turns toward light from light;

Her dark is a soft bed of mirth,

for night is space to harken new days

when hands can play, head can rest

heart is steady as it grows in the chest

making a place...for another chance.

Hm-hmm, hm-hmm,

hm-hmm, hm-hmm.

The city's tone is cold, stark.

I'm busy, my eyes look down.

I'm told, profit is priority.

Each passerby, a mystery,

Don't look too close - it's scary.

What jewel is missing from my crown?

Your eyes look weary like mine.

Is the treasure we seek in each other?

If I knew you, what could I find?

Hm-hmm, hm-hmm,

hm-hmm, hm-hmm.

Round and round, the world, it goes,

leading us back to the source of hope

that comes as we twirl at the end of a rope

we must let go to reach out. We fear,

who will catch us? what is it for?

Pilgrim, listen.

Hear. You know.

Hm-hmm, hm-hmm,

hm-hmm, hm-hmm.

Our sisters gather to form a net

with arms of love, and hums of song

that remind us: we each belong

to each other. Our common course

is a humble path to greater truth,

grounding us deeper with every breath

to the trees, to the bees, to the seas, all these,

a blissful-biosphere-family.

Hm-hmm, hm-hmm,

Hm-hmm, hm-hmm.

Place your hand on your heart.

Feel your being's vibration.

Breathe, sister, breathe.

Know there is nothing apart.

Give thanks - you're alive!

You hold all possibility.

This world needs you and me.