The Tree is Gone

A tree stood as guardian at the river's edge, a landmark on the less-traveled path, waiting for the pilgrims needing her protective shade.

Today, that tree is gone. Its roots are the stars, its leaves the meteors and comets of the bright summer-night sky.

The river continues to flow. The pilgrims safe under this new evening light.

Bettina Madini, River of Life

So Many Temples

So many astral temples you've built! They pulse, crowed with angelic song.

Each design holds your imprint, waiting for manifestation.

This time we are ready. The children have been painting those walls, preparing them for the crowds to come.

Mirage-like, they dip into this world as we spin in devotion.


Bettina Madini, Portal to the Temple of Light

This Poem and Art is available as a Friendship Card.

The Vagabond

Invite the one who holds the soul-fire to sit at your side.


Your blessing brings the vagabond to his true nature.


Holding the torn fabric as it is made whole by your deep listening.



Bettina Madini, Angel of Abundance

Dharma Walker

Today I read they activated the Haldron Collider. Sending protons racing to become elemental fireballs. Hoping to illuminate the "dark matter" -- the gravitas of physical being.

You, dear friend, tap another fireball. Your path, step after considered step, illuminates a different darkness.

Calling us to the true fire at the edge of each breath.

Bettina Madini, Key to Heaven

Fall Into Your Thirst

You thirst and burn, sitting at the well, watching others drink.

But it is not the water that others seek, it is the heat of your heart that is attracting them.

Fall into your own thirst until it become all: the well, the people, the Earth itself in your every breath: in as water, out as fire.



Bettina Madini, Purple Waters

This Poem and Art is available as a Friendship Card.

The Seed Knows

Pushing. The seed knows before it can articulate.

First the pod itself is torn, root tendrils seeking to the core. Then the hungry shoot spiraling to the Light.

So many futures embodied in this restless stirring. Nourish yourself, your vision will nourish so many others.





Helen Klebesadel, "Native Roots"

Gifts Fall from Your Pockets

Look dear friend! The flowers brighten as you walk by.

And the stars smile even behind the winter clouds.


Hide your gifts no longer. They fall from your pockets at every turn.



Bettina Madini, Summer's Promise

This Poem and Art is available as a Friendship Card.

Pieces Fall Away

Hands shaping the wet clay.
Pressing palms, searching fingers.
Rushed to the kiln before its time, so many pieces fall away, finding their place in the discard tray.

Dear friend, we trust your knowing.
Guide us to the jagged pieces,
That assembled, will form the Sema floor.





Helen Klebesadel, "Morels II"

Sweet Fruits

So many sweet fruits you’ve carried to the village press. Never taking one for your self.

Know that your sweetness precipitates from every bone and sinew. It recreates itself in every breath – overflowing all containment – a gift from the Source who patiently waits.








Helen Klebesadel, "Where Are the Bees-I"

The fledgling

The Sema floor squeaks of powder, and the white robes of human sweat. Like the fledgling whose gray feathers can’t quite lift its fuzzy cargo, the spin wobbles.

But that heart, broken, embraces it all. Seeing the Divine in this old practice studio. The turning becomes centered. The bird, so colorful, embraces the sun.




Helen Klebesadel, "Cedar Dance I"

Wedding Blessing #4

Friends: Throw away the feathers and the pipe, the sacred drums and the walking stick; the costumes gathered over the eons.

In your partner lies the true Axis Mundi.

Wedding Blessing #3

So many lie asleep.

As you together gently walk this crowded path,
let the scent of your love awaken those dreaming
of what they were called here to become.




"Ants Love Peonies" by Helen Klebesadel
Original Watercolor Painting
22" x 30
Link to artist's website, click here

Wedding Blessing #2

Cast off the armor, drop that rusty sword.

Deep within lies the true core,
nourished at its roots by your remembered vows.




Bettina Madini, Sacred Flower of Love

Wddding Blessing #1

Brick upon brick, you’ve built the foundation:
Each stone a forgiving, a release, a disciplined choice.

No more heavy lifting! This house is set down from above.
The angels laughing together as the “container is sealed."

for Cleo

Silent guardian of the sacred spring.
Bearer of tea and slippers in the hamam.
Wise mother at our daughters' first mikvah.

Emerging today from your own dry desert baptism,
Your gift shines forth once again.

Gathering under your protecting gaze and open heart, We are ready to fill our cups with the gifts of the Beloved.


Bettina Madini, "Dreaming Willow" (1997)
pastel on paper, 19½"H x 11½"W

Shell Fragments, Santa Fe Birthday

Shell fragments, stones of every hue.
The great sea pushes new jewels over our wet feet.

We stop and admire such abundance.
Remembering to thank that ocean heart whose tidal beat drives this myriad of riches.

You, dear friend have such a heart.

And we, turning to honor you today, are the like those sandy jewels. Our walk: the discovery of your loving intention.

Bettina Madini
SUNSET NO. 2, 2004
Watercolor on paper
18"H x 12"W
Click here for link to artist's website

Sacred Songs

Selling amulets in the crowded marketplace, few find their way to your gracious table.
Your sweet call drowned by the harsh sounds of commerce and disbelief.

Welcome, dear healer.
In this circle let us be the jewels you fashion into sacred song!

Our voices will be your offering to the Beloved.
As beautiful as those overlooked so long ago.

The Astrologer

The astrologer dances under the night sky.
You listen with esoteric eyes to the rhythms of starlight.

Hungry to capture this divine chorus, you spent years building ever-stronger telescopes.

Now, putting away the lenses and polishing cloths, you teach us the cosmic turns.
Awakening in our hearts the star songs you heard on that distant cloudless night.

Tashbi beads

Sweet creator of divine circles.
Our eyes are drawn to your radiant necklace.
Each bead holding a fragment of the one great prayer.

Connecting them all is the hidden cord of your forgiveness.
Transforming at each knot the tight place of remembered violation.

Passing through our fingers, this tashbi stitches the mothers' tattered shawls into the Beloved's wedding chuppa once again.

for Suria

Small flame resting on the altar.
Your light a pool of presence around the holy of holies.

The portal flies open. What a roar! Books scatter at your feet.

The flame, not candle-bound, spills from your eyes.
Rising and falling at each breath.
Guiding us back to the stillness again.

Small stones

Small stones. Gathered on this journey.

Carefully, you place them on the altar.

Knowing that each reaches back to one you have loved.

Through your act, the Beloved welcomes them all.

Rhea

Tonight the rain sings your name. The pool overflows with appreciations.
The inward spiral has unlocked the ancient treasure chest.

Rituals Interrupted

Old rituals interrupted. You burn, hungry to return to the healing waters.

But this is a different time. Your work is to wait in fullness.

The Goddess will come to you.

The Caravan Waits

You fell. Face down in the dust.
But rise, dear friend!
The caravan did not leave you behind.
Invisible, it waits in silence and respect, for you to lead us once again.

Bettina

Heavy stones, lifted by astral geometries under your wise gaze.
Unfinished foundations in the desert sand.

Another octave this time. Floods of angel dreams pass on to the canvas.
Reminding us of the Beloved's "Hu." The container growing stronger as each image is shared.