Poems from Bali

Nature of all things

As I stood beneath the tree
decorated with offerings
to gods, spirits and ancestors
I became one with everything
tiny birds swooped, almost touching
as they flew beside me
the ancient banyan tree
all encompassing
drawing me towards nature
the spirit of all things


Call of the ancestors

Wind travels across sea
carrying the sound of gamelan
I can feel the dance of the barong
and the call of ancient spirits

push and pull of water's edge
languid with the heat of the day
the heavy sway of palm trees
and cornucopia of frangipani

offerings and aromas
spices to appease the gods
the distant drum of volcanoes
and heady forest paths

moonlight, giant and fecund
hangs with evening heat
the glow of sunset over mountains
vast as mother temple

I wake to morning prayer
and the sweet smell of incense
surrounded by a sunrise
as big as the world beneath it

The wound

Everything turned deep that day

as I slowly peeled away at the edges

revealing the wound

that longed to be exposed

she went too deep, they said

she always goes too deep

and here I was

believing truth was everything

lips, another shade of crimson

full with yearning

still seeking approval