every time you smile

every time you smile, listen to,
purely just be there for another:
in her struggle--or simply, just to bathe within her joy--

you are gently gifting her
in ways which travel deeply:
the earth resounds with grace!



Kate Lamberg
8/26/11

rock bottom

a boat close to shore
has hit rock bottom
the hull cannot see

the tall grasses
on either side
nodding in the wind

it is OK---
spirit will wait
another million years

till we know
we are safe
to step out

and be one, once again
with the tall grasses
held still within the music--

harmonics found in heaven:
natural peace of unhurried hushes
fragrant freedom, song of rushes

Kate Lamberg
8/30/11

i bask in the northeast winds

i bask in the northeast winds
by window-sill
facing north;

as the strong persistent
wind makes herself
right at home-

as she-wind,
an airy angel
of dancing delight

known not in books,
but in breathing gazes:
a pure elemental,

who guards my garden
assuring roots will stay,
even when the heads of black eyed sues

get whacked by her force, send those heads
flying wildly in the whooshing, seemingly random;
mama nature has had enough

she is pleading with all of humanity,
"drop your guns, i'll turn around,
as you may have to drop your jeans-

in the process of sheer absolving"
push through differences-
as hands with gentle force

dig in sandy earth
making peace among
all the layers of sediment



Kate Lamberg
8/29/11

what is the sound of grace

the sound of grace is
one leaf bouncing off the roof
as wind picks up speed

quickly falling to the ground

our breath, our heart beat
the wind coursing through-
now, the northeasterlies,

singing an uncompromising hymn

people awaken to the joy
found deep within
amidst nature's fortitude

she embraces us in her green fortress

the sound of grace
so subtle
no butcher knife can cut it

blessed storm quells
the rage inside our soul
as priorities loom bright





Kate Lamberg
8/28/11

written the day of hurricane irene.

I am half-sick of shadows

"I am half-sick of shadows, " said the Lady of Shalot

~Alfred Lord Tennyson



i am half sick of shadows
the half of me that shines light
is the half that will save me
from this torrential rain

floodgates over spilling
wonders of the world
relaying the excess
that we were born upon

now reinventing the wheel
moving on in geodesic domes
earthen seating replacing thrones

left to live out our lives without
need to choose a neat ending
we wash up on shore, ancient bottles
without messages, smiles...true cure:

in any language to try
when all other methods do fail
to hold on to the trust
this crashes down
we must

do what is sensed
floppy woven hats
replacing gilded crowns
relaxed, centered on the phoenix
we sit down


Kate Lamberg
8/25/11

healing bones

healing bones, similar to healing ourselves, and ultimately the world~




sometimes we need to re-set the bone
before we cast it for awhile, as a small boat
out to the infinite sea--
trusting with, not against, the unlimited possibilities

with ourselves, we are not so obedient
while healing is happening, if we accepted
the process... how it takes it's own time,
and how it works best
without being tampered with---
then the healing will happen

trust in the power of the universe
to unfold all the green healing
we could possibly absorb;
trust in the process,

raising our deserving levels
to sky high--
bless all the stars in the sky
and get on with the work

loving every person, animal, tree...
and get on with the business
of sheer joy, blessed levity


Kate Lamberg
8/25/11

love, beyond desire

Love has no other desire but to fulfill itself.
To melt and be like a running brook that sings its melody to the night.
To wake at dawn with a winged heart and give thanks for another day of loving.
~ Kahlil Gibran ~



love, beyond desire

centers herself into each petal which falls
like a cascade of water droplets, pink in innocence
delicate in her liquid

wild in her growing among fields of ferns
and cedar trees we smell from a distance
a breeze left on our forearms

clutched in prayer, essence releasing
in each moment of garden's gratitude
worn stones hurled out to sea-

sand particles, tiny flecks of gold
tracing the path to her own little girl
who has fallen into the wishing hold

a renovated beauty,
ready to roll,to freely rise up-transmigrating
all tributaries, a shining chalice cup



Kate Lamberg
8/20/11

Release

release the hand of the almighty,
and the almighty reaches out
to hold your brilliant emptiness


Kate Lamberg
8.24.11

angels dwell

"It is not known precisely where angels dwell - whether in the air, the void, or the planets. It has not been God's pleasure that we should be informed of their abode." ~Voltaire



angels dwell everywhere
there is no place they do not dwell
without a map or guide we know

where angels stay, smiles sing
words, unnecessary---as stars shimmer
moon glows grace within our temples

there is no doubt angels venture
close to those whose sweetness
leaves auric traces, surrounding all

with awakened peace-- peonies
left to luxuriate a little longer
on the terrace, over looking the accepting sea


Kate Lamberg
8/24/11

kimnara

kimnara


when i call your name
i enter into the dance
ram-bird moves to fly

kimnara, your own
music floods your blood, enchants-
shining your mystic charm

at one point we do
become one in the spinning
feet, hands disappear

music plays throughout
the night time, bleeding into
deep blue sky morning


Kate Lamberg
Copyright, August 24, 2011



kimnara is a part of the hindu pantheon: part human, and part bird-- bestowing capacities for creating music, and inspiring others both musically and mystically.

salix nigra-black willow or swamp willow

salix nigra~black willow or swamp willow


black willow, ensconce me in your healing
i know your magical charms too well
we grew you up from tender sapling
on the west side of the stream

you said it was OK to hang
a tire swing from your lower bough
when you were only twelve years old

you insisted that we have our fire ceremony
seven of us, in a circle, around a raging fire
very near your toes, a place where tiny offshoots

with feathered green fronds would sometimes
catch on to all the fiery wonder, igniting
little green fronds, as audition for more fires

to come around you lovely black willow
you dance when noone is looking;
you mind the stream--
sometimes become part of a woven basket,
your roots a tonic for weak tummies

oh black willow, how i love your graceful dance
how you teach us without doing anything
oh black willow, i salute thee with this song

take it into the center of your trunk
and know, no trees are by chance, cheering;
there has to be a simple correspondence
prior to a true meeting

then in a split wood second, along with tall grasses,
butterflies, dragonflies, squirrels, deer, frog,
and minnows racing downstream-

we are all apart of the jagged circle;
made smooth by an agreed dance
of acceptance,

traveling
encircling
the globe--
made tinier
from closeness settling-

as green fronds float
downstream, parallel
to the minnows racing




Kate Lamberg
7/13/11

Listening In

‘Listening In’ – by Kathryn Lamberg

Walking in green grass
as afternoon blends
it’s garish colors of
hot oranges
loud yellows
blood pulsing reds–
to a more meditational
hue, of soft purples,
even green, and blues.
thinking of how i felt
when i first met you:
my impressions
hardly based on anything-
just breathing in your aura:
a swirl of sweet clementines,
soaked in mayberry wine-
with one white lotus flower
within hollowed out oak.
room for rain to fall,
space for stars to dance-
a place for souls to talk,
to saturnize- not theorize
as words from hearts do
spin soft yarns, to touch
textures, simple weaves,
staying true. to ancestral voices
being drawn in, painted in shimmering
cimmaron, cranberry bogs, hydrangea
silver blue, shining in darkest night.
heat making blossoms heavy,
closer to kissing ground cover
looking up at sky’s canopy,
harmony happens–
when we side-step-
get outta the way,
just stay,
listening in
to stars dancing.

© Kathryn Lamberg
2011~

Sound Healing~*~

It was a lovely afternoon. Gary and I shared lunch with his parents. I asked if it would be OK to play the gorgeous piano. The head cook said "yes". My smile became large and I felt joy rising. Away on vacation, it is not always easy finding a piano, let alone an "in tune" one.

I was feeling particularly happy playing for the lovely people at this home for "older folks". Elderly people who may be experiencing all kinds of aches and pains, limitations in movement, and mental focus, appreciate so much an opportunity to experience live music.

Music indeed is a healing vehicle for all age groups. With the elderly, however, I sense more than any other population, a true and deep appreciation. Many of them have found themselves alone after many years of marriage. A connection established for so many years becomes severed. Music can be an opening and a connection. A delightful organic treat, palpable to one's nerves, heart, respiration. Thus,aiding in helping people cope with loss of a loved one, or loss of one's faculties.

I played for twenty minutes, original pieces, I wrote for healing. I entitle my pieces, "Sound Healing". I could feel the room become quiet, as I played. When I looked up, I witnessed the wonder and the joy from those in the dining room, who stopped interacting, in order to simply listen to the music. Their focus and apparent joy then swept back to my heart, filling me with a depth of joy difficult to describe in words. Grounded, yet uplifted. This was a feeling I don't believe I have ever experienced before. This feeling, coupled with gratitude left me in an impassioned peace, which stayed with me for quite awhile, after I left the piano.

I bless spirit, for my abilities to play the piano, and to have had the experience, of truly communing with my audience in such a deep and meaningful fashion.


~Kate Lamberg
8/17/11