My 2011 New Year's Poem written for you

The old is worn thin and taught,
Fraying at the seams.
The status quo unravels,
Creaking at the the beams
Under stress of all for naught.

Cardea's hinges oil
To relieve last year's toil.
Stand under limen's post for a vision to host.
Behold the threshold, aware of what is told.

Now Janus' doors swing freely,
In passes 2011 swiftly, easily.
Welcome the New Year, banishing all fear.

Peace and prosperity, Alyssa AnaMaria

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

The Raven told me: "DEAD: Drop Everything And Do it (or die)"

The Mother told me: "The rose bud cannot resist blooming, and begs to shed its perfume."

For now, I have no questions; I have intuited the answers: clarity is its own answer.

In Praise of Love
by Tobias Hume (1569-1654)
Festooned by Alyssa

Aah, fond Love, they harm thee very much
They that say thy sweet is bitter.

When thy tender, ripe fruit is such
As nothing could be sweeter.

Fairest treasure of joy and bliss,
Truest pleasure of a kiss,
I do adore thee.

I know what thou art
I serve thee with pure heart
And fall before thee, torn apart.

Late Winter New Moon Musings
Alyssa's insight

I stand in balance
Between worlds,
My heart a fulcrum.

The depth of the root
Has been nourished
And put to rest
In this time of darkness,
To manifest multifold

In a future season.

Engulfed
New Year musings by Alyssa

Soft morning breeze-
Fingers through my hair, gentle and caressing.

Golden ball of fire on the dawn horizon-
Warm embrace kindling my heart and blood.

Gentle waves at my feet-
Tender kisses soothing my body and soul.

As I sit on the shore
Secure in the Earth's lap.

Today will be a sensual delight of The Presence engulfing me.

Original by Alyssa