Day 12 of National/Global Poetry Writing Month (AKA NaPoWriMo). Tarot card prompts
While this deck (Witches Wisdom by Barbara MeikleJohn-Free, Flavia Kate Peters and Richard Crookes) doesn’t have the beautiful art of most Oracles cards, I like the image on the “Witches Cottage, Security” card. Trees, cozy cottage, sparkles of magic, a lounging kitty, basket of goodies at the front door looks so inviting and safe. Homes are our safe places, even more so after “safe at home” for the pandemic. In fact, it is the cottage in my photo where we spent our COVID19 weekends. The question I want to explore in this poem is whether I have gotten too “safe” in my home neglecting my social life. After-all, social relationships have a direct correlation to happiness. Explore this quandary with me.
Security
Witches comfort cottage
Tucked in a blanket of tree arms
Shaded from the harsh sun
Away in the quiet woods
No voices except the birds
No machines
just broom and rocking chair
Candles light the cloudy days
All weather welcome here
Safe within sturdy stone walls.
Is it withdrawn to relish cottage?
Is it neglecting social duty?
Is it hiding or self-care?
Where is the balance point?
Who shall we invite in
into our sanctuary
and feed them simple food,
talk around the fire,
put away phones,
and pull out card games?
Who do we invite to walk the woods,
pick acorns and weeds,
stroke witch-hazel leaves,
and watch the bubbling spring
flow into the pond
where deer come to drink?
Yes, the special ones can come
The ones who love us
The ones we love
Who relish the old, slow, quiet ways
Who don’t mind an outhouse,
muddy shoes,
bees on the wild bergamot,
or the long walk out to the road
lit only by moonlight.
There is security in cottage, in home
and happiness in our relationships.
Invite them in.
CreatetheDawn 