' there goes the sun' ~Tribute for Richie Havens~rest in peace~

there goes the sun~for Richie Havens..

there goes the sun, our bright friend
has dropped out of his solar body
to align with a more moon consciousness

we have danced with, and sung his songs-
amidst being reminded of how soul
is so delicately wrapped in liquid gold

within his hearty wheat voice;
commanding any one who listens--
saintly and humble--doing what he does best

will miss his presence in our life
yet know song soul has traveled
to places of deeper comfort and joy

rest easy dear richie- our hearts shall
be as one- will never part, from you-bright star,
whose vibrations mirror who we are

Kate Lamberg

daffodils for richie... photo by kate lamberg~

Turtle Totem- Live reading with Hank Beukema reading Kate Lamberg's poem, set to Moon light sonata-

Turtle totem mix.mp3 Poem~copyrighted, April '13 by Kate Lamberg, read by Hank Beukema 5334K   Play   Download

i asked

I asked from the almond tree to talk about God and the almond tree just bloomed.

~ Nikos Kazantzakis

when trouble back fires in our faces
we naturally leap back, without
thinking of what we are
doing- in the face
of god grinning

contemplative practices please
me more than ones needing
to memorize scripture and deities
the cumbersome nature of sculpted

beings shoulders too much
responsibility for one
solitary person-who's a mother
to two indoor cats-all love

to listen to bach at dusk
and know where the chocolate
is hiding- although she never
shares the sweets- as it can

cause cavities in the felines
who are first to bed down
and last to ask if it is ok
to wake you in the middle

of your most sumptuous dream;
but you love how they
never anger
and hop on your lap--loyal,

with as much inevitable velocity
as the western window's wind
taking days to travel to the now, is able
to presently pound without exhaustion

Kate Lamberg

british virgin island chocolate cherry alamada flowers~photo by Kate Lamberg

daffs like us

daffs, like us...wanting spring

for some reason, or for
no reason at all hold on
to winter's deep freeze

sleeping in is possible
in cold, quiet rooms
above the clatter of the world

we hesitate to bloom
as we transition in between worlds;
closing the heavy oak doors

allowing the soft forgiving pine
light doors of spring- swinging open
everything glistening in the thawing

no one but buddha knows
nothing is ever a waste of time
as it brings us to everything

our bellies floating down rivers
witnessing new blue birds
as we rebirth our spring selves

lotus core bursts song
amplified by floating for so long
river bank grabs us as we wake

it's the earth that wants us
to be reminded- we must sing
out of tune, welcomed beyond brave

Kate Lamberg

local daffs~photo by Kate Lamberg~

the rain came down-without her seeing

the rain came down- without her seeing
she felt the torrents hitting brick, plants, trees,
a softening spring earth-- bouncing
the droplets of nourishment
back to the sky, in a kind
of game of catch, mitt-less

mindfulness tends gardens
better than any tools bought
when alone we remember
the star never leaves- just jumps
out of vision's path to pursue
deeper rocks buried, stones on surface

glow in no moonlight, no stars remind
the facts buried underneath the feeling
found easily-no digging- apparently
pensiveness prowls around the worried heart
no seeking hiding places, as rain and starlessness
saw away any need to be seen, any particular

way- as it is written in the forehead of grandmothers
the sweeping of dust from corners, once illegible
basking in the sun, creeping to be seen
behind low hanging grey clouds, caressing
all the babies in the world
waiting to be born

Kate Lamberg

pond water rising~photo by Kate Lamberg

cold chill of april

cold chill of april
closes tulips on contact
colors exude--fade

now i know why ts eliot said
that april be the cruelest month-
the pain of waiting pierces chests

the same heart that steps outside
of itself--never does rest, closes
to the tightest bud when tested

can we not return to the garden
unguarded, and breathe the spring
air of our childhood's song

it may not be very long
before the melody alters
faith comes in on bird's wings

singing salty tears
removing cloaking fears
climbing trees, warm bark

Kate Lamberg

internet tulips~

red hot and cool blue

red corduroy roofs
baked in sunshine-against bright
blue turquoise waters

haiku and photo by Kate Lamberg

 st. thomas/photo by kate lamberg