Love and Sorrow

(original poem by Alyssa)

Love's companion is named sorrow,

filled with uncertainty of tomorrow.

For the flame of love will fire and fade,

leaving only traces of the feelings made.

Even though, the only response to love is, "Yes,"

Without ever having a second guess.

No need to ask, "How come?" or "Why?"

When your heart is as open as the sky.

Because a taste of love, even just a drop,

Is sufficient to cause all bitterness to stop.

Should you receive the gift of love,

Forever thank the heavens above.

For Love has bejeweled your essence,

And married it to a sacred presence.

Now you wear the raiment of light--

Life is no longer a struggle or fight.

Live each day with a burning yearning,

Eager for the wisdom of life's learning.

Ready to respond again to Love, "YES!"

Without ever having a second guess.

Labyrinth Parable

Barefoot, walking the Rancho San Carlos seven-circuit labyrinth, a revelation resurrected from confusion. Stepping slowly, balancing on top of the rocks, step by step to a dead end; I was lost and didn't arrive at center. Restepping on another line of rocks, only to reach another dead end. Backtracking to the first rock path, believing I may have crossed up somehow, but the same dead end once more. The rocks were partially hidden by prickly weeds. The way seemed to be concealed. Feeling the pull of Spirit on my soul, and with prayerful patience, I remained lost until the obscure became obvious: walk between the rocks.

I was stepping on the rocks to avoid stepping barefoot on the thorns. If I was to find Center, I had to step on the thorns between the rock lines. Bravely, slowly, with determination, I took my first correct steps. Despite the soreness in my feet, I moved forward, propelled by the attraction of Truth, Beauty, and Grace. I had been holding an umbrella the whole time, because of storm clouds overhead. In my exhilaration at discovering how to walk the labyrinth, I flung the umbrella far outside of the stones. I did not need it, for rain and sun were all the same to me now.

A path begun with balance, love, and longing leads to other paths. All paths, prayerfully taken, lead to discovery. Discovery creates and magnifies energy, propelling one further. Now one has discovered direction. Discovery brings a deeper purpose, a Higher Will. One has begun to master movement. The path opens up. The way is demarked. Then, there is a shedding. The lighter you go, the more you flow. One must be light to flow. When one is light, there is flow. Now there is only flow. Flow leads to the Center. The Center gathers force, turning round and round and round. Gathering force to a point of poised equilibrium, and then about face, leading directly to returning. Returning in truth. Returning to shed light. Returning to give all one has. Returning to spend oneself. Returning with vast awareness. Returning to begin.

June 2004, Beulah, CO, School of Alchemy Pagan Passion retreat