World AIDS Day 2011

Today, I remember my friend, Clel, who died of AIDS over 20 years ago.  I miss you, beautiful artist and gentle soul.   I find joy in my memories of you and sadness as I remember your life that was way too short.

In your honor, I whisper prayers of remembrance for the 30 million lives that have been claimed by this disease over the last 30 years; and sing prayers of healing for those still living with and affected by HIV and AIDS around the world.

In your honor, I donate to the United Methodist Global AIDS Fund which represents the commitment of United Methodists to end HIV/AIDS in our world through prevention, treatment, care and support. 

Thank you, dear friend, for inviting me so long ago to be a more compassionate person to all people.

In the River of My Life

sitting in the silence of the night

getting a sense of stirrings within

darkness calling

unknown spaces

deep places

sad little girl

who are you?

wondering ... wandering

so much pain in the world

so so much pain inside that little girl

crying ... crying ...crying

deep flowing waters

moving upward

bursting outward

womb of God

fount of birthing

shatters with a piercing cry

pushing forth the healing waters

salty tears ... deep red fears

mix together

flowing along

the river of my life

dear sweet tree

growing so strong

in the river of my life

let your roots drink deeply

of tears, fears and pain

draw them together

into the womb of God

into the center of my soul

into union so mysterious

let my life bloom

with nourishing leaves

of prayers and worship

along the labyrinth

of music and delight

let my life fill to overflowing

with loving relationships

and beauty divine

let me create my life with you

and color the world

with drawings and poetry

that speak of the soul

let my life be a retreat

into the silence of true rest

let my life be a journey

into the action of love so true

dear sweet tree of God

in the river of my life ...

may i always live

MY life and no other

© Image and Poetry by Cindy Serio Nov 2011

If I were ...

If I were an olive, I'd definitely be an acquired taste!  
There is a hardness that has been touched and moved around and pulled out from within me ... for the most part and on more days than not just now ... leaving a gaping hole right through the center of me for the Spirit of Love to pour God's Self into and to change and to move through.  I think maybe I'm seeking the "soft" red pimento of LOVE to fill my inner space ... perhaps that IS what moderates the taste ... 

Come moderate me, Sweet Mother God.  Amen.

And yet ... as I continue to contemplate this olive that is me so interesting, I am noticing that I originally chose a very commercially processed image for myself.  However, as I continue to sit with this image of the olive, I suddenly remember the ancient healing properties of the olive ... pressed into oil that pours upon the body and into the soul.   Gently I feel the intimacy of being so lovingly massaged and molded ... and I notice that I am no longer empty but filled to overflowing ... with love and light.  

"Command the people of Israel to bring you pure oil of pressed olives  for the light, to keep the lamps burning continually."  Exodus 27:20

Spirit of Hope, massage me and mold me into a vessel of Light and Healing.  Amen.

Take a moment to journal and create ... 
Let you imagination go and try it!  
Close your eyes, take a deep breath, "if I were ..."
Journal as long as it takes to go where you need to go.
Comment and share your ponderings.

peace be with you ...

Mahatma Gandhi said, "Be the change you want to see in the world."

I want to BE the PEACE I want to SEE in the World

With each breath I inhale, I want to breathe peace into my own heart

With each breath I exhale, I want to breath Peace into the World

Sept 21 is the International Day of PEACE.  How will you welcome peace in your world?

Shalom!

See Overcoming Violence.Org

International Day of Prayer for Peace: Each year on 21 September the World Council of Churches calls churches and parishes to observe the International Day of Prayer for Peace. 21 September is also the United Nations-sponsored International Day of Peace.

I'm gonna to start livin' like an Angel!

Image & Poetry © Cindy Serio 2011

I'm gonna start livin' like an Angel

Caring deeply ...

for all God's Creation

Gently appearing ...

as a Messenger of Peace

Humbly announcing ...

"Fear Not!  God is with you!

My Shadow, My Self

Collage and Poetry © Cindy Serio 2011

My Shadow, My Self

Touched Deep Within

Scattered Emotions

On the Edge

Touched Deep Within

Don't you want to Know me?

On the Edge

Tenderness Unexpected!

Don't you want to Know me?

Scattered Emotions

Tenderness Unexpected!

My Shadow, My Self

Haiku 4

Image and haiku © Cindy Serio 2011

summer mushrooms wild

exploding red-orange orb

beautiful reveal

Haiku 3

Image and haiku © Cindy Serio 2011

summer drought brings death

brown leaves crumbling decay dust

 earth welcomes gently

Haiku 2

Image and haiku © Cindy Serio 2011

Summer Rain Drops Fall

Deep Pink Flowers Fragrant Sweet

Drink Deeply Grace-Full

Haiku

Image and haiku © Cindy Serio 2011

the summer sun shines

unfolding petals covered

with specks of pollen

Haiku is a form of Japanese nature poetry.  A haiku written in English is written in 3 lines with 17 syllables with a pattern of 5-7-5.