Ruth Carlin
Artist
In This LifeFollowing the sun's lead
leaning into shadows
learning the light
as it falls and grows
never the same
moment to moment
I can count on the inconsistency
yield to its field of foreverness
and not consult books
to prove out its pathit ushers me into illumination
a candle flame
wee illustration
of what must be
as long as I follow the flow
trust what I know
know what I know
and above all
dance in mind
traverse the sound waves
knowing there is no drowning
in the universal waves
quite the opposite
opposites here for human stability
but learn not to fight with opposites
rather weave them together
weft and warp
necessary for harmonious
whole
My DamageMy damage will save me
cradle me in its ragged arms
fit neatly into the jagged cuts
fill the open spaces
with an abundant flow of tearsI am rich with sorrow
it rocks me back and forth
soothes me as best it can
takes me by the hand
and says “follow”and so I have
followed the path
of evaporating tears
took the salt
licked it
found what nourishment
I could
and continue on
through the desert
unaware of the riches
pouring out behind me
leaving a trail
of what I would have
always wanted