Issues. Everybody’s Got Issues.
Identity crisis would be just fine
Had someone not just smashed mine.
“I found myself.” “I lost myself.”
Everywhere: self, self, self.
Hello and how do I do?
I’m very sorry, have I met you?
Yes, I met me the day I’s born;
Then I left me all forlorn.
Oh, you poor and silly me.
How could you possibly not know me?
All my life I’ve felt so dizzy.
Gosh, finding me has kept me busy!
(C) 22 October 1992, Daphne Yvonne Bradshaw.
Saturday, May 28, 2011
It Circles Round
It Circles Round
Vague coursing
Snaking inwardly
Back and over and under
Up and around
Then back down again—
Unknowingly knowingly unknown
Shifting, sifting, lifting
A restless, rootless
Wildness…
Refusing continuance
Bound and chained
To a life not my own.
(C) 11 October 1994, Daphne Yvonne Bradshaw.
Vague coursing
Snaking inwardly
Back and over and under
Up and around
Then back down again—
Unknowingly knowingly unknown
Shifting, sifting, lifting
A restless, rootless
Wildness…
Refusing continuance
Bound and chained
To a life not my own.
(C) 11 October 1994, Daphne Yvonne Bradshaw.
Wolf Woman
Wolf Woman
She howls as she goes out
To collect those bones…
Puts them in her burden basket
And takes them home…
Those dry, dry bones that once held life.
She sings,
Tears flowing down her cheeks—
Note by note, tear by tear
Seeping into
Those dry, dry bones that once held life.
Her vigil of prayerfulness,
Tenderly, caressingly,
She cleanses, mends, and
Sculpts…
Those less dry bones that will re-hold life.
She howls, creates, loves.
She knows, waits, cries.
She sees, laughs, sings.
Then she touches
Those flesh covered bones that now hold life.
(C) 6 December 1994, Daphne Yvonne Bradshaw.
She howls as she goes out
To collect those bones…
Puts them in her burden basket
And takes them home…
Those dry, dry bones that once held life.
She sings,
Tears flowing down her cheeks—
Note by note, tear by tear
Seeping into
Those dry, dry bones that once held life.
Her vigil of prayerfulness,
Tenderly, caressingly,
She cleanses, mends, and
Sculpts…
Those less dry bones that will re-hold life.
She howls, creates, loves.
She knows, waits, cries.
She sees, laughs, sings.
Then she touches
Those flesh covered bones that now hold life.
(C) 6 December 1994, Daphne Yvonne Bradshaw.
Descent to Hel
Descent to Hel
The oven of Hel’s kitchen,
Where the staff of life is baked
In her regeneratively consuming flame,
Beckons me to enter and to taste her twisted loaf.
Never overdone nor under—
This bread of perfecting is
So delectable that merely one bite
Emblazons the eyes,
Enraptures the countenance, and
Elucidates my Self!
Such bliss to be enfolded in Hel’s warm embrace,
To be engulfed in the Maternal abundance
And to drink from her breast
The spark of life
That will one day intensely burn
As the creative fire,
Born and reborn
Of Woman.
(C) 14 October 1994, Daphne Yvonne Bradshaw.
The oven of Hel’s kitchen,
Where the staff of life is baked
In her regeneratively consuming flame,
Beckons me to enter and to taste her twisted loaf.
Never overdone nor under—
This bread of perfecting is
So delectable that merely one bite
Emblazons the eyes,
Enraptures the countenance, and
Elucidates my Self!
Such bliss to be enfolded in Hel’s warm embrace,
To be engulfed in the Maternal abundance
And to drink from her breast
The spark of life
That will one day intensely burn
As the creative fire,
Born and reborn
Of Woman.
(C) 14 October 1994, Daphne Yvonne Bradshaw.
Touch upon Touch
Touch upon Touch
Opening joyfully to my lover
With tender compassion,
Sensuous depths explore
The most intense passion.
Soulish friendship, burning desire,
Understanding births inspiration;
Touch upon touch, a taste and a smell,
Life in bodily sensation…
A spiritual meeting, so earthy, so rare,
Cherishing gifted treasures,
With intellectual commingling…
Metaphysical pleasures.
(C) 2 May 1999, Daphne Yvonne Bradshaw
Opening joyfully to my lover
With tender compassion,
Sensuous depths explore
The most intense passion.
Soulish friendship, burning desire,
Understanding births inspiration;
Touch upon touch, a taste and a smell,
Life in bodily sensation…
A spiritual meeting, so earthy, so rare,
Cherishing gifted treasures,
With intellectual commingling…
Metaphysical pleasures.
(C) 2 May 1999, Daphne Yvonne Bradshaw
Comfort My Love
Comfort My Love
A cold northwind pierced my heart today
As the face of my love in anguish beckoned to my soul…
Snow and ice can never freeze out
The warmth and fire I send to my love
As grief stalks between worlds
Of living and beyond…
So, speedily, dear wind, take my gift
Of heart to my love
That he may be comforted now and always.
(C) 11 January 1999, Daphne Yvonne Bradshaw
A cold northwind pierced my heart today
As the face of my love in anguish beckoned to my soul…
Snow and ice can never freeze out
The warmth and fire I send to my love
As grief stalks between worlds
Of living and beyond…
So, speedily, dear wind, take my gift
Of heart to my love
That he may be comforted now and always.
(C) 11 January 1999, Daphne Yvonne Bradshaw
Saturday, May 21, 2011
Remember Life
Remember Life
When times get rough and skies get gray,
When the storm clouds begin to play,
When feeling rolled like the wind-swept sea,
And troubles rise too submergingly...
When family swears and friends are lost,
When the budget runs way over-cost,
When loved ones die in body or soul,
And your own body feels not quite whole...
When doubts assail you, leave you unsure,
When evil seems to have no cure,
When all seems wrong and gone astray,
And hopes begin to turn to dismay...
Remember Earth abides here yet,
And Life has possibilites yet unmet,
And winds will turn, as they always will,
And ever strength is inside you still...
Remember never to give up and you will win,
Never say what is is all that's been,
Never think twice about reaching far out,
Remember Life oft takes a lonely route.
Remember that Life is not really alone,
Many a friend and family you own,
There is no light if there is no dark,
It is in between that we must hark.
(C) 2003, Daphne Yvonne Bradshaw. All rights reserved.
When times get rough and skies get gray,
When the storm clouds begin to play,
When feeling rolled like the wind-swept sea,
And troubles rise too submergingly...
When family swears and friends are lost,
When the budget runs way over-cost,
When loved ones die in body or soul,
And your own body feels not quite whole...
When doubts assail you, leave you unsure,
When evil seems to have no cure,
When all seems wrong and gone astray,
And hopes begin to turn to dismay...
Remember Earth abides here yet,
And Life has possibilites yet unmet,
And winds will turn, as they always will,
And ever strength is inside you still...
Remember never to give up and you will win,
Never say what is is all that's been,
Never think twice about reaching far out,
Remember Life oft takes a lonely route.
Remember that Life is not really alone,
Many a friend and family you own,
There is no light if there is no dark,
It is in between that we must hark.
(C) 2003, Daphne Yvonne Bradshaw. All rights reserved.
Call Worlds Open Tonight
Call Worlds Open Tonight
The crows caw, the raven fly, the cat is on the prowl;
The wolves are dancing in the woods, just listen to them howl.
While the owl will fly his nightly round
On wings that have no sound.
There is magic in the making;
There is magic all around;
There is magic for the taking;
There is magic to be found.
The cornstalk’s dry; the pumpkin’s big; the crops are in for winter;
The haloed moon smiles down upon all those who would enter.
Into sacred rites for Samhain night;
And honorings for Samhain day;
Honor all for that is right;
Blessings on all who stay.
The sacred veil between the worlds opens for all who would enter.
The ancestors come to bestow their love from the circle’s very center.
There is magic in the making;
There is magic all around;
There is magic for the taking;
There is magic to be found.
(C) 9 November 1998, Daphne Yvonne Bradshaw.
The crows caw, the raven fly, the cat is on the prowl;
The wolves are dancing in the woods, just listen to them howl.
While the owl will fly his nightly round
On wings that have no sound.
There is magic in the making;
There is magic all around;
There is magic for the taking;
There is magic to be found.
The cornstalk’s dry; the pumpkin’s big; the crops are in for winter;
The haloed moon smiles down upon all those who would enter.
Into sacred rites for Samhain night;
And honorings for Samhain day;
Honor all for that is right;
Blessings on all who stay.
The sacred veil between the worlds opens for all who would enter.
The ancestors come to bestow their love from the circle’s very center.
There is magic in the making;
There is magic all around;
There is magic for the taking;
There is magic to be found.
(C) 9 November 1998, Daphne Yvonne Bradshaw.
Summer Solstice Blessings
Summer Solstice Blessings
The rays of sun, the light of power,
Nature’s fecund and fruitful hour,
Longest day, shortest night…
Come, let’s celebrate the light.
Expectant harvests yet to come,
Let us taste the fruits of some
Of earth’s bountiful and lustful play
Of planted seeds come to stay…
At the summit of sun’s strength
Begins the lessening of sun’s length…
As days grow shorter, nights grow long;
Together we sing the solstice song…
Shine on, our sun, shine strong and true,
Let us totally delight in you,
And let us humbly accept your beams
As now you turn to darker dreams.
Let love and life, day and night,
Find the joyous union right
As the balanced circle turns…
And as our star, our sun still burns.
(C) 21 June 1999, Daphne Yvonne Bradshaw.
The rays of sun, the light of power,
Nature’s fecund and fruitful hour,
Longest day, shortest night…
Come, let’s celebrate the light.
Expectant harvests yet to come,
Let us taste the fruits of some
Of earth’s bountiful and lustful play
Of planted seeds come to stay…
At the summit of sun’s strength
Begins the lessening of sun’s length…
As days grow shorter, nights grow long;
Together we sing the solstice song…
Shine on, our sun, shine strong and true,
Let us totally delight in you,
And let us humbly accept your beams
As now you turn to darker dreams.
Let love and life, day and night,
Find the joyous union right
As the balanced circle turns…
And as our star, our sun still burns.
(C) 21 June 1999, Daphne Yvonne Bradshaw.
With Grandmother's Love
With Grandmother's Love
Dancing in the water,
A feather in my hand,
Smiling, often laughing,
Blessing Grandmother's land.
With a glint of diamonded cheeks
Salty waters clear,
I see Mother Earth’s teardrops
Falling for upon all near and dear.
Know of this truth, yon pray-er,
Your heart of prayer was heard,
Spirit would not leave you
Without giving you this word---
With all your being, your heart, your mind,
With your soul, your spirit, below, above,
You offered forever in truth...
Where’er you walk, you have my love.
From the east, I offer you wisdom,
From the south, I offer you play,
From the west, I offer you protection,
From the north…Grandmother's Way.
(C) Daphne Yvonne Bradshaw, 14 August 2000. All rights reserved.
Dancing in the water,
A feather in my hand,
Smiling, often laughing,
Blessing Grandmother's land.
With a glint of diamonded cheeks
Salty waters clear,
I see Mother Earth’s teardrops
Falling for upon all near and dear.
Know of this truth, yon pray-er,
Your heart of prayer was heard,
Spirit would not leave you
Without giving you this word---
With all your being, your heart, your mind,
With your soul, your spirit, below, above,
You offered forever in truth...
Where’er you walk, you have my love.
From the east, I offer you wisdom,
From the south, I offer you play,
From the west, I offer you protection,
From the north…Grandmother's Way.
(C) Daphne Yvonne Bradshaw, 14 August 2000. All rights reserved.
Down the Cavern of Memory Turned
Down the Cavern of Memory Turned
Sorrow like flooding overflowing the banks
Of the river of heart swamped full;
Grief in the bones of despairing flanks
The mind's darkest desolation to pull.
Only half-remembered times of goodness went
To chase the agonies of all gone wrong;
Without the joys of the heart well spent,
Sadness drowned such happiness as song.
But deeper still than the darkest pain,
The loving heart may remain
Calm.
Even deeper again than all that's sane,
A knowing of peace 'came
Psalm.
(C) Copyright, Daphne Yvonne Bradshaw, 6 May 2010. All rights reserved.
Sorrow like flooding overflowing the banks
Of the river of heart swamped full;
Grief in the bones of despairing flanks
The mind's darkest desolation to pull.
Only half-remembered times of goodness went
To chase the agonies of all gone wrong;
Without the joys of the heart well spent,
Sadness drowned such happiness as song.
But deeper still than the darkest pain,
The loving heart may remain
Calm.
Even deeper again than all that's sane,
A knowing of peace 'came
Psalm.
(C) Copyright, Daphne Yvonne Bradshaw, 6 May 2010. All rights reserved.
Friday, May 13, 2011
Do You Know?
Do you know how much I want to shower you with all the love and passion that has been locked in me my whole life?
Do you know how much I want to soak you all through you with joyful sharing of all the fun things I can think of?
Do you know how much I want to see your eyes sparkle with the knowing that you are adored just because you are you?
Do you know how much I long to hear your most playful laugh, your deepest heart-felt cry, and your most urgent passion?
Do you know how much I yearn to touch your skin, to run my finger through your hair, to hold you within me forever?
Do you know?
(C) 13 May 2011, Daphne Yvonne Bradshaw
Do you know how much I want to soak you all through you with joyful sharing of all the fun things I can think of?
Do you know how much I want to see your eyes sparkle with the knowing that you are adored just because you are you?
Do you know how much I long to hear your most playful laugh, your deepest heart-felt cry, and your most urgent passion?
Do you know how much I yearn to touch your skin, to run my finger through your hair, to hold you within me forever?
Do you know?
(C) 13 May 2011, Daphne Yvonne Bradshaw
Friday, April 29, 2011
Universal Intercourse
Universal Intercourse
Sexual attraction/repulsion, the ebb/flow of tides…
The lunatic moon projects a moan
To pull and release our juices so
Each cell is not alone.
Each molecule, each atom copulates
In patterns of brilliant lust
Of conjugal bliss and explosiveness,
Of ejaculatory must.
In and out and back and forth,
Around and around we go,
The whole universe it seems,
Is in the biblical know.
Is he positive?or is she negative?
Is it dirty? No, it’s fun!!!
This bio-chemical-neuro-electrical magnet
Of energetic pun.
(C) 4 November 1998, Daphne Yvonne Bradshaw.
Sexual attraction/repulsion, the ebb/flow of tides…
The lunatic moon projects a moan
To pull and release our juices so
Each cell is not alone.
Each molecule, each atom copulates
In patterns of brilliant lust
Of conjugal bliss and explosiveness,
Of ejaculatory must.
In and out and back and forth,
Around and around we go,
The whole universe it seems,
Is in the biblical know.
Is he positive?or is she negative?
Is it dirty? No, it’s fun!!!
This bio-chemical-neuro-electrical magnet
Of energetic pun.
(C) 4 November 1998, Daphne Yvonne Bradshaw.
My Lover’s Face
My Lover’s Face
Your smile hides the mischief-making Puck
Promising Dionysian revelry,
Dancing beneath the canopy of sheltering trees…
Your eyes beckon Daphne’s nymphs
To sing and drum their ecstasy
Of Bacchanalian rites.
(C) 4 November 1998, Daphne Yvonne Bradshaw.
Your smile hides the mischief-making Puck
Promising Dionysian revelry,
Dancing beneath the canopy of sheltering trees…
Your eyes beckon Daphne’s nymphs
To sing and drum their ecstasy
Of Bacchanalian rites.
(C) 4 November 1998, Daphne Yvonne Bradshaw.
Grandfather Tree
Grandfather Tree
Grandfather tree, you stand proudly
On the railroad track hill
At the bottom of the yard…
So very tall and straight,
Bereft of most branches and leaves.
A few vines and a few ferns grow on you…
The squirrels and the birds race
By you on the way
To the more cover of your grandchildren…
Regally you watch,
Prayerfully blessing us
Who watch
Under your protective presence.
(C) 4 May 1999, Daphne Yvonne Bradshaw.
Grandfather tree, you stand proudly
On the railroad track hill
At the bottom of the yard…
So very tall and straight,
Bereft of most branches and leaves.
A few vines and a few ferns grow on you…
The squirrels and the birds race
By you on the way
To the more cover of your grandchildren…
Regally you watch,
Prayerfully blessing us
Who watch
Under your protective presence.
(C) 4 May 1999, Daphne Yvonne Bradshaw.
My Beltane Invocation
My Beltane Invocation
Under the full Beltane moon,
With the inner fire burning brightly
In the mid-spring night,
Will I take you beneath the stars to dance among the trees
And to sing with deep throaty moans and laughs
As heartbeat to heartbeat,
The ancient fertility rhythms compel us
To keep the sacred tryst that feeds Earth
And honors all our relations in the web of life,
Giving sexual energy as fertile life blood,
Commending awakening and growth,
Urging the ripening of love,
Expressed in the joyful embrace.
Come, follow me, my love,
To the hills, to the forests, to the newly plowed field, the river;
Come, my love, to the meadow, to the creek, the ocean,
And let us pay homage to the bringing together
And to the bringing apart,
For all ways are valid in the expression of love
On this night of lusty, frothy sacred weaving
Love as ribbons around your pole.
Come.
(C) 4 November 1998, Daphne Yvonne Bradshaw
Under the full Beltane moon,
With the inner fire burning brightly
In the mid-spring night,
Will I take you beneath the stars to dance among the trees
And to sing with deep throaty moans and laughs
As heartbeat to heartbeat,
The ancient fertility rhythms compel us
To keep the sacred tryst that feeds Earth
And honors all our relations in the web of life,
Giving sexual energy as fertile life blood,
Commending awakening and growth,
Urging the ripening of love,
Expressed in the joyful embrace.
Come, follow me, my love,
To the hills, to the forests, to the newly plowed field, the river;
Come, my love, to the meadow, to the creek, the ocean,
And let us pay homage to the bringing together
And to the bringing apart,
For all ways are valid in the expression of love
On this night of lusty, frothy sacred weaving
Love as ribbons around your pole.
Come.
(C) 4 November 1998, Daphne Yvonne Bradshaw
Thursday, April 28, 2011
Teach Me the Ways of Love’s Desires
Teach Me the Ways of Love’s Desires
I smile as I watch you,
Knowing the man you are
And the way you make me feel
As our eyes meet from afar.
I see in every move you make
The myriad pleasures you have
In your arms. The touch of your hand
Is to my heart a healing salve.
Your eyes dazzle me
With a cheeky kind of flirty play
And a look that beckons me to
Romp with you and do as we may.
Your smile warms my heart
And puts an electric spark
To the kindling center of me
Begging our love embark,
Oh, again, sweet lover!
Again let me feel your embrace.
Let me wrap you in my arms
And see the love in your face.
Gently and slowly show me
Your mastery of building my fire.
Take me in your arms
And teach me the ways of love’s desires.
(C) 22 January 1993, Daphne Yvonne Bradshaw.
I smile as I watch you,
Knowing the man you are
And the way you make me feel
As our eyes meet from afar.
I see in every move you make
The myriad pleasures you have
In your arms. The touch of your hand
Is to my heart a healing salve.
Your eyes dazzle me
With a cheeky kind of flirty play
And a look that beckons me to
Romp with you and do as we may.
Your smile warms my heart
And puts an electric spark
To the kindling center of me
Begging our love embark,
Oh, again, sweet lover!
Again let me feel your embrace.
Let me wrap you in my arms
And see the love in your face.
Gently and slowly show me
Your mastery of building my fire.
Take me in your arms
And teach me the ways of love’s desires.
(C) 22 January 1993, Daphne Yvonne Bradshaw.
Your Eyes Dance
Your Eyes Dance
Everytime I see you after we’ve been apart—
No matter how short the interval—
I feel that electric pulsing tingle and surge
Swell from my womanly core
As emotions ball in my throat,
Tears well my eyes.
Your eyes dance with sparkling light
As they search out mine
With that flirty, naughty,
Yet deep-springing joyous love
That we share.
And we know
We can take our time or passionately rush,
But our desire is still the same:
To celebrate our oneness
As thoroughly as we cherish each other.
But right now,
Let us continue to stoke the fire
That shines through our eyes,
Reflecting that knowing smile
Of our spirits, our souls, our bodies—
That knows you’re mine,
And I am yours.
(C)23 November 1993, Daphne Yvonne Bradshaw
Everytime I see you after we’ve been apart—
No matter how short the interval—
I feel that electric pulsing tingle and surge
Swell from my womanly core
As emotions ball in my throat,
Tears well my eyes.
Your eyes dance with sparkling light
As they search out mine
With that flirty, naughty,
Yet deep-springing joyous love
That we share.
And we know
We can take our time or passionately rush,
But our desire is still the same:
To celebrate our oneness
As thoroughly as we cherish each other.
But right now,
Let us continue to stoke the fire
That shines through our eyes,
Reflecting that knowing smile
Of our spirits, our souls, our bodies—
That knows you’re mine,
And I am yours.
(C)23 November 1993, Daphne Yvonne Bradshaw
Touch upon Touch
Touch upon Touch
Opening joyfully to my lover
With tender compassion,
Sensuous depths explore
The most intense passion.
Soulish friendship, burning desire,
Understanding births inspiration;
Touch upon touch, a taste and a smell,
Life in bodily sensation…
A spiritual meeting, so earthy, so rare,
Cherishing gifted treasures,
With intellectual commingling…
Metaphysical pleasures.
(C) 2 May 1999, Daphne Yvonne Bradshaw.
Opening joyfully to my lover
With tender compassion,
Sensuous depths explore
The most intense passion.
Soulish friendship, burning desire,
Understanding births inspiration;
Touch upon touch, a taste and a smell,
Life in bodily sensation…
A spiritual meeting, so earthy, so rare,
Cherishing gifted treasures,
With intellectual commingling…
Metaphysical pleasures.
(C) 2 May 1999, Daphne Yvonne Bradshaw.
If Only I Were Able
If only I were able ... I'd love to grab you & go dancing in the rain, splashing in the puddles, laughing & giggling... wiggling toes in the mud... just happy to be alive & untamed.
If only I were able... I'd love to grab you & do wading through a creek, watching the little tadpoles about to become frogs, following dragonflies with our eyes, and splashing you while giggling.
If only I were able... I'd love to take you to the top of a tall hill during a storm and watch the storm from a sheltered but still open place... feeling the wind and the rain spray us... as I hold you to watch.
If only I were able... I'd roll you on the ground in a field of sweet clover... in the daytime and in the nighttime... happy to see sun or moon... just happy to be together.
If only I were able... I'd love you so much you'd be able to swim forever in my love and never want to stop swimming again.
If only I were able.... so I made myself able in the only way I can... with my words, my heart, my soul, and my love.
(C) 28 April 2011, Daphne Yvonne Bradshaw.
If only I were able... I'd love to grab you & do wading through a creek, watching the little tadpoles about to become frogs, following dragonflies with our eyes, and splashing you while giggling.
If only I were able... I'd love to take you to the top of a tall hill during a storm and watch the storm from a sheltered but still open place... feeling the wind and the rain spray us... as I hold you to watch.
If only I were able... I'd roll you on the ground in a field of sweet clover... in the daytime and in the nighttime... happy to see sun or moon... just happy to be together.
If only I were able... I'd love you so much you'd be able to swim forever in my love and never want to stop swimming again.
If only I were able.... so I made myself able in the only way I can... with my words, my heart, my soul, and my love.
(C) 28 April 2011, Daphne Yvonne Bradshaw.
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