Peace (Mother & Son)

Glide down a river and chase the sunlight reflected in raindrops as the words and music bring you to a place of peace and joy. A collaboration, this poem, and music were crafted to inspire self-reflection and stillness in our busy lives through the images of nature, water, and the bond of a mother and child. May the simple yet complex nature of the ordinary bring you contentment, hope, and inner peace. Poem spoken and written by author Kristina Kelly; music, JohnWillard Utuk.

Transcript

Stillness sways.

Silence speaks.

Reflections from the slumberous hours.

He breathes in.

Traces of yesterday's joy.

Like perfume sprinkled on my shoulder.

Then exhales peace.

My peace.

As light catches droplets,

Filling them with the same warmth of breath,

Of full arms.

Flinging specks like confetti on the window.

Contemplate.

Cherish.

Up.

Up.

The day awakens in dazzling light.

Blades of grass stitch a blanket of beads.

Remnants of what came before.

What may once again arrive.

Through anything that comes,

We will step forward.

Our feet carry us through the damp landscape.

Could we be like the creatures?

Unhinged by worries.

Connected to the simple circle.

Awareness.

Understanding.

The scent tickles our noses.

Drops from the clouds paintbrush.

Sprinkle soil in the distance.

We smell life.

We smell earth.

Heralding gentle patter at our feet.

There it is.

Drip.

Drop.

Plink.

Each leaf turns up to catch the life gift,

Shushing each other in their rustling.

So that we may listen.

Breathe.

Feel.

Tip.

Tap.

Plop.

He runs along the riverbank,

Chasing ripples,

Tossing pebbles.

My umbrella a sanctuary as he darts under.

See this flower?

See this rock?

Out again in the gentle spray,

We don't observe our witness as our hearts overflow.

Like a waterfall filling its basin,

Already brimming with contentment.

Love.

Down the silver ribbon,

Our boat glides between the splashes.

I lean back,

Peering from beneath my umbrella.

Tranquil as the scale gliders,

Swishing underneath.

He dips his hand,

And I follow.

Each cutting paths in the flow.

He marvels at the sensation.

I smile at his exploration.

We are two.

One.

Mother and son.

Pausing in this moment,

Swaying to the rhythm.

Flip.

Plop.

Tink.

Human counterpoint to this natural stream,

Gliding to our destination.

Tempered.

Be calmed.

The marijuana speaks,

Silence sways,

Reflections into the slumbrous hours.

Drizzle cascades down the windowpane,

Gilding the memory of this day in the last warm glimmers.

Breathe in joy.

His joy.

Our joy.

Exhale,

Like I am the wind.

The sails of cloud drawn ships that spread a billowing curtain of raindrops.

So that all may see it,

Touch it,

Gather it to themselves,

Carry it to others.

Put out to the world what we want to get back.

Wonder.

Peace.