The People's Mic

The people’s mic

moves in waves

and all who touch the words

are touched:

As they repeat

the voice comes from within

and so becomes their own

It shines with their own truth

Gains strength

like rolling surf

that crests and crests

They find that they are one

The people

and they know

that this is real

No further lies

will ever steal this moment

when the wave of oneness

crashes inside and resounds

bounding and echoing from Wall Street to here

waking us up.

©Wendy Mulhern

October 14, 2011

Invitation

To all of you

yearning toward the core

longing for the centripetal clasp

that will let you spin

in ecstasy of connection

Feel our pull

Gravitate

Join the force that overrides

isolation’s stagnant stasis

No need to tell yourself

you haven’t been invited

Your own gravity

qualifies you

You, too, can bring your life force

into the circle

You, too

can swirl into the dance.

©Wendy Mulhern

October 12, 2011

Your spirit wins

When there is no way to win

and your spirit throws itself down

one or more of many thwarted paths

the failure says, you’re wrong

your choice is bad

your blighted life

is all your fault

though you may flail

and cry out, crazed, for justice,

the censure drowns your voice.

When there is no way to win

in this world

your spirit still forges itself

a rare and brilliant thing

unseen by all the dust its rays illumine

unnoticed in the thrust of days' relentless gloom

till love’s ablutions wash it clean

and there it shines

a light that overcomes the world.

©Wendy Mulhern

October 11, 2011

Emissary

I sat with you on the couch

your legs across my lap

me hugging them

willing my touch to span

the space between

my hope and your dread

to flock like emissary birds

to flutter by your head

and brush you with their wings 

and softly coo

awaken all your inner angels

so they stand in force and tell you

you are not alone

you are not fallen

you are as strong as a brass horn

that chortles in the morning air

and summons great guffaws of joyous confidence

from wells in you

deeper than you ever knew were there.

©Wendy Mulhern

October 10, 2011

This, My Mission

Mission is a strong elixir

Gulped with joy, its heady mixture

sends me flying, full of hope

excited by its mighty scope

Deep as my desire, this mission

now ingested, licks within

impelling flames to move me, quicken

my intent to realize its vision

So I burn, and so I ask for water

something calming, nurturing and cool

provision for the now, but also after -

to let the mission hum and purr

but not consume -

Within the chambers of the fire

I seek a quiet room

Take off your shoes

it tells me

Feel the ground

It’s nothing that you have to do alone

You have the chorus of the wind within

which, holy, holds you cool

and keeps you sound.

©Wendy Mulhern

October 9, 2011

Hearts' Doors

For Susie, Carol, and Love

Each of these openings

Leads to infinity

Each of these gifts

Is enough

To knit together the world

Each of these women

Has a heart

That includes the sun

So will we shine

So, simply, tone the world whole

And as for us?

Well, of course

We’ll be included

Each of us

In the hug for us alone

We each so need.

©Wendy Mulhern

October 8, 2011

Returning

Thank you for your peace

Today I’m back for more

Thirsty

Vaguely lost

Disoriented

by relentless tides

pushing from within against my skull

And so I turn

Lay down the package I’ve been toting

All the bricks and rocks I seemed to think I needed —

stories explicating who I am and why —

Spirit, I am yours, and that’s enough

No need for more

No need for knowing what

bright path tomorrow will provide

Only that you guide me from inside.

©Wendy Mulhern

October 6, 2011