Grandmother Makes the World

 

 

Magnolia

 

This is how my Grandmother makes the World-
    clouds in a sky so clean
    each seems to sing against the blue.
In the new-mown grass, you can smell the new Spring herbs,
    a richness of greenness and healing.
Lift your gaze, and you can see forever,
    jagged shapes and rounded ones.
This is how my Grandmother makes the World!
A veery releases Her spiraling song.
Brand-new the star magnolias,
    their vanilla color rich enough to eat,
    drooping beguilingly from the branches.
This is how my Grandmother makes the World-
    pristine, clean, bountiful,
    energy unending. 

Annelinde Metzner

Grandmother Mountain

May 28,2021

Song of the Humpback Whale

 

What is in your long song, your ancient song?

In the cold bays, North and South,

your pure tune revives in cavernous water-spaces.

Up here, walking, I hear your song always,

like a neighbor calling, or like children singing.

Your song says, "God is here!

The ocean is filled with light.

Man, the ocean home is well.

Sing for us in the air, Man,

as we do for you below."

Far below the crowd's buzz

is the infrasound, your song.

I need you there below, singing!

Your ancient tune courses with my heart's blood,

and makes more plain

my own dim voice, from an unfathomed ocean.

And I sing with you.

It is what I wanted to hear.

 

Annelinde Metzner 1983

 

In 1983, I wrote this poem and set it to music as part of my song cycle, "Legacy."  My intuition tells me that the whales are the history keepers of the world, and they are aware of all we're doing.  This event happened recently in Victoria, Canada, which reinforces that intuition. 

 

 

This is that quiet place

 

 

The woods call to me with Her silence.
That one stillest spot,
   all life waiting expectantly,
   brilliant April sunshine,
   wind holding Her breath.
I am drawn to that spot,
   stand rooted to the ground,
   head tilted to the sun.
This is that quiet place
   where sacredness opens up.
I breathe deeply, pulling energy up from the Earth,
   as, "eeh-oh-lay!," the first Wood Thrush
   welcomes me back with Her song. 

 

Annelinde Metzner

April 16, 2021

 

 

 

Wood Thrush