Madness, as in the theme of my soon-to-be-published poetry book, is a relative experience. For instance, the three weeks leading up to Xmas day can be fraught with the chaos of gifts to buy, trees to adorn, lights to hang and parties to celebrate. All of this extra and even excessive energy creates a kind of madness at this time of year. A madness that many choose in anticipation of its rewards—the look of wonder and joy on a child’s face and a heart full of love and laughter from shared time with family and friends.
Just as we knowingly choose a bit of the madness accompanying Xmas because we know the rewards are so much greater, we also knowingly choose the chaotic madness that attends our personal transformation and spiritual upliftment. The rewards for doing the work of self-awareness and development are indeed greater than the inputted effort. In time and with practice, the chaos of uncertainty and fear morph into the wonder of adventure. Of course, it is we who are morphing. Chaos is chaos. We begin to view it as full of promise rather than full of danger. And eventually, we laugh at what once frightened us. Now that is something to celebrate!
So, my latest poetry book, Mad Women Laughing, is one of celebration and wonder. Below is one of its poems, which was inspired by women who enrich my life.
Mad Women Laughing
These are special moments of falling together
when hearts join, when experience is not premeditated,
when we laughingly, even hysterically, recognize
we are not in control.
Only then, as mad women laughing,
can we stop the inner war of resistance.
The smokeless flame of awareness calls
and our senses float to the surface,
alive to life’s ordinary radiance.
Originality no longer follows, and
a reversibility takes place.
Bound for new beginnings, Life’s gifts
are not always tinsel and chocolate
wrapped round with ribbons.
Awakening in this gift exchange,
love always comes to seed its glory.
Look for the book in early January 2020. Until then, my wish for each of you.
May we all see the wonder of creation
in the swirling chaos around us.
