the key
slow to learn
I searched in things
and those I knew
for this crux, this clue
until one day
I turned around
and found
the code inside
the key matched
a slot in my heart,
and when I slipped it in
like an arrow nocked
to its bow, it fit—
my task remained
allow trust
the turn
to open me
2023 ©Amrita Skye Blaine
I’m writing a poem a day. These are drafts—not final versions.
bell
I invite the bell
again and again—
toll me awake!
I envision a belltower
a resonant bell
a prayer of sorts,
although what
could I ever pray to?
I launch prayers
into the void
chock full of
knowing and love—
the bell resounds,
sonorous
the echo reminding
I’m already home
2023 ©Amrita Skye Blaine
I’m writing a poem a day. These are drafts—not final versions.
compass
it takes a deeper quiet
essential for my life
to find my inner compass
the one that won’t delude
but it’s not enough to spot it
I must decode its guidance
listen to its wisdom
then respond
there’s the rub
it’s ruthless in its pointing
I was not misled
to think it would be easy
that pledge was never made—
it stripped away defenses
allowed me my mistakes
but there’s a grace
I must concede—
like a border collie
nipping at my heels
it drove me always
toward what’s true
2023 ©Amrita Skye Blaine
I’m writing a poem a day. These are drafts—not final versions.
uncertainty
our days are filled
with uncertainty
that’s the edge
for all of us
we just don’t know
the sun seems
to rise every day
but, scientists say
one morning it won’t
big trouble
I doubt
we’ll be here by then
we’re successfully
killing ourselves off
but I don’t know
marvels happen
every day
the next baby born
might save our world
cool the fever
of rising degrees
but who will be left?
sun-loving creatures
the meerkats?
the hippos?
this is for sure
after we’re gone
knowing will shine
blazing awake
and aware
2023 ©Amrita Skye Blaine
I’m writing a poem a day. These are drafts—not final versions.
entanglement
ablaze with gaudy
aloe vera, their
bright sherbet flowers
asking hummingbirds
to sip—over the decade
one plant became ten
behind, an outburst
of iris, delicate and fancy
stand in dawn’s light
begging for bees
we’re all entangled
needing each other
a delicate balance
that calls for repair
none stands alone
independent of others
plants and animals know
without knowing—
it’s coded within
bury an acorn here
another there
squirrels sow forests
without thinking
thinking’s the problem
root cause of the trouble
if I presume myself
separate
then I am—the cosmos
reflects comprehension
instead
let’s celebrate the tangle
that weaves us together
honor the kinship
that binds
2023 ©Amrita Skye Blaine
I’m writing a poem a day. These are drafts—not final versions.
breath
some take for granted
this rosary called breath
each inbreath an invocation
every outbreath a prayer
prayer in
prayer out
quiet susurration
I sit in silence with
generous light returning
the robin’s early song
my easy breathing—
no entreaties
no words at all
2023 ©Amrita Skye Blaine
I’m writing a poem a day. These are drafts—not final versions.
without a name
I greet first light
without a name,
without naming
slip my arm
around your waist
hug you,
snug into warmth,
breath and balm—
one whole
a finger snap of time
distinguishing begins,
splits this from that
hawk from sky
deer from field
me from you,
grateful scent remains
This photo is from the Barnstorming Blog, which I’ve followed for fifteen years.
Thank you, Emily Gibson. https://barnstorming.blog/
2023 ©Amrita Skye Blaine
I’m writing a poem a day. These are drafts—not final versions.
the heart of the matter 