Followers

Saturday 9 April 2016

STANDING THERE



Not a hint of nerves -
but you were being extra vigilant
for loose rocks as you positioned yourself
right on the uppermost edge of Cheddar Gorge.
Watching you focus your camera,
all I felt was acute anxiety and nausea.
Across the other side, the rampart cliff.
Far below, ant-like cars winding
their way along a miniature strip of tarmac.
"Suicide point" some have called this spot.

I could see why.
An optical illusion gave the distinct impression
that we were only twelve inches or so up.
"Step over," a voice
seemed to suggest in my head,
"You won't hurt yourself!"
And I was put in mind
of Mother Earth's vagina - the entrance
to the sanctity of her womb.
A powerful sense of belonging, of being part of something
sacred and infinite, overcame me.
Suddenly, I understood what it meant to be female -
the purpose of my existence.

Lost in the beauty
of Her most intimate moment - penetration
by the Sun God in brilliant golden light.
And we exchanged glances, no need
for words. We were awestruck, caught up
in the inexpressible joy of sharing
in Her afterglow.
You captured it all.
But, alas, no camera can accurately record such bliss:
all that was visible on playback
was a gorgeous multi-coloured shaft of light,
descending deep into the core of Her being.

Breathless, we perched ourselves on a rock
and gulped ice cold water from the flask
I'd filled that morning in the trailer.
It tasted better than vintage champagne.
We were intoxicated
with the sheer rock faces crammed in our heads,
the waterfalls, the gorse bushes, the caves,
the purchases from gift shops
jammed into our rucksacks.
We were blinded by the brilliance
of the Sun's reflections on the river,
and the midges that darted into our eyes
out of the trees and crevices and empty beer cans
discarded by yesterday's tourists.


Oh how we'd sweated as we climbed Jacob's Ladder!
Then we wanted our reward from the top of the tower:
aah, that view! Such a delightful visual translation
of the Creator's Plan - this canyon
and the Mendip Hills beyond
that gradually faded into the graded blue
of a summer horizon.

Standing there
on top of the world,
we could be Gods too,
of a kind.

Standing there,
Nature's voice
murmuring on the breeze:
the first revelation,
cutting through our vertigo
into awe-struck minds.
And every hair on my body
stood on end.

Standing there,
all previous memories erased.
The time, the place, the crowds below -
just being there, on that cliff edge,
such intimacy with Mother Earth:
you, me and Her...suspended
in that single moment in time, transported
to another realm.
No longer a before or after.
All things familiar gone.
Just standing there.



So glad I scribbled those notes in my journal.
They are the only proof that we were ever actually there
and it wasn't just a dream.
It was all so surreal.
Nothing else tangible is left,
only those words and pictures.

But at odd moments I re-live it all
as if I am there again - like a hand
snatching me from eternal sleep.
Living through all these ordinary years,
our years.
Then I come alive and feel again
that breeze in my hair.
And I reach for your hand...

standing there.



33 comments:

  1. Taking hold of the moment you're in, I believe is higher than anyone could climb.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. So true, Lon.
      These days, I seldom stop what I'm doing and just observe and listen.
      Must endeavour to do it much more often.

      Blessings :)

      Delete
  2. ... such an awesome poem, friend Y ... reminds me of sum of Amy Whinehouse' songs ... Love, cat.

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    Replies
    1. Oh wow...such a compliment!
      Thank you so much, Cat.:)

      A Big Hug.:))

      Delete
  3. OMG...how wonderfully you write, dearest Ygraine.
    I cannot believe all of the beauty of this spiritual place.
    Through your words and these gorgeous photos, you have magically transported me to this surreal place...I am still spinning and my palms are sweating. But I love it!

    Much Love and Great Big Hugs, Dear Friend
    xoxoxo

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    Replies
    1. Oh gosh...dearest Jan...you are so kind that it brings a tear to my eye. Truly.
      It means so much to know that you enjoyed reading this.
      Thank you so, so much!:)

      All my Love & Hugs xoxoxo

      Delete
  4. I am as mesmerized by your words here as the amazing images they created in my head. For the duration of this read I became the you, you shared this with… Thanks.

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    Replies
    1. Oh thank YOU, Anthony...you have left me speechless...with such a beautiful and haunting comment.
      Really made my day!
      Yes...thank you so, so much.:)

      Delete
  5. __"Y", You have said it all here; understanding what it means to be female... that purpose, the source and existence of all that breath.

    awestruck
    no need for words
    Her after glow

    Nature's voice
    murmuring on the breeze
    first revelation

    I come alive
    and feel again that breeze
    I reach for your hand

    __The above are your words and feelings, to me... so flawlessly placed in our thought. _m

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh thank you, Doug...so much!
      That ability you possess...to feel, and then breathe vibrant life into my simple words...is nothing short of genius.
      Yes, thank you so much! :))

      Delete
  6. I'm awestruck by this beautiful poem! So descriptive. It's strange that I walked up a similar set of steps not far from me over in a town called Blue Jay . I even took a photo looking up but ot sure where it is. Anyway - this was quite a visual treat for me in my imagination seeing it as the words expressed it.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh wow...thank you, Sandy...so much!
      I have always been intrigued by flights of steps. I just HAVE to climb to the top and see where they lead.*smiles*
      So happy you enjoyed.:))

      Delete
  7. Beautifully written. The image pulls at the reader, and one can fly.

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    Replies
    1. Many thanks, Geo...I truly appreciate that.

      Yes, it really does give the impression that it would be easy to just step off the cliff...and fly!:)

      Delete
  8. Wow!!! I know I always say this, but you are truly an amazing writer! Such a beautiful poem!!! Big Hugs!!!

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    Replies
    1. Oh Sweetie...you are SO kind...thank you...with all my heart!

      Much Love & Hugs xoxoxo

      Delete
  9. I felt like I was sharing this journey and adventure reading these lines.So powerful and evocative, well done dear Ygraine. Have a super week.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It is such a beautiful place, Geraldine. I would love to visit again someday and see if I feel the same as I stand on the cliff edge.
      Thank you so much for sharing the journey with me...and for your kind comment!:)

      Have a wonderful day! :))

      Delete
  10. and the time stands still until we realize we are no more kids, sadly

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, memories do bring a sort of sad nostalgia, don't they?
      But the magic still lingers...

      Many thanks, Deeps.:)

      Delete
  11. Boa tarde, seu poema é maravilhoso, consegue-me transportar para a bela viagem, beber agua fresca que sabe melhor que o champanhe vintage.
    AG

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you so much for sharing in the experience with me, AG...so happy you enjoyed!

      A Hug xoxoxo

      Delete
  12. You are so talented with words, dear Ygraine! Whenever I think of things of the past, either good or bad, I consider myself blessed that I have the capacity to remember. I think of people who are stricken with Dementia or Alzheimer's and it is a shame that some of them cannot even remember things that happened a few minutes ago. We are truly blessed to be able to remember. Much love and hugs to you.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Gosh, that is SO true, Linda.
      I think, perhaps, my present need to write almost non-stop may have something to do with the notion that someday I could lose the ability to remember...so I am trying to get everything out of my mind and written down before it is too late.
      I guess some people would consider me morbid...but I see it as just being practical.
      Yes, I agree...we are lucky at present, aren't we?

      Thank you so much, Linda...for your kind comment, and your friendship.:)

      Much Love & Hugs xoxoxo

      Delete
  13. One of your very best, my friend :) thanks for taking us on this journey

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    Replies
    1. Oh wow...thank you so much!
      It was great to have your company! :))

      Delete
  14. Boa tarde com votos de feliz fim de semana,
    AG

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    Replies
    1. Hi, AG...here's wishing you a great weekend too! :))

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  15. Wow Ygraine..beautiful! I love how in the poem you cherish those scribbled down notes( that scared proof it happened!), and it reawakens the whole experience and feels alive again..very powerful! I could feel myself there in all your poetic words and imageries..potent and gorgeous and emotional! I also love the moment you reference; you/me/ and mother earth..magical! Thanks for sharing another powerful poem! I am going tor e-read it again!!
    Hugs and Blessings , Hope all is sparkling in your world and Happy Spring!
    Victoria

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I meant to say " sacred proof"

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    2. Dearest Victoria...you have truly touched my heart!
      Thank you so, so much for your kind comment...and for your precious friendship.:)
      Yes, life is good here at present, thank you...do hope all is fabulous in your life too!

      Big Hugs & Spring Blessings xoxoxo

      Delete
  16. thats why some realities are better than dream..

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    Replies
    1. Aah...those rare realities...dare we hope there will be many more to come...?
      Many thanks, Deeps.
      Have a great day!:)

      Delete

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