Ritual

The following collaborative poem was created by the CPE group at MCF­Stillwater during an opening reflection. The particular form of the poem is called an Exquisite Corpse. Each member of the CPE group begins with a piece of paper, a pen, and their creativity. After receiving a prompt for inspiration, each member writes a poetic line and passes their paper to the right. Then each member reads the line written by the previous person, takes inspiration from that line, and writes their own corresponding line. Before passing the paper to the right again, each member must fold back the paper so that only their written line is showing. When the papers continue to be passed to the right around the circle, only the previous member's line is showing. Once each member receives their original paper back, everyone unfolds the paper, revealing a collaborative poem where every member has contributed a single line. Depending on the number of group members, there will be several beautifully crafted poems that each member reads aloud to the group. Not only does this creative process fashion community from art and art from community, but surprise and joy glint everyone's eyes as all members revel in the magic they have achieved together. 


Ritual

We are watched over by those who have gone before 
Stars in the black, lightthat rushes to you 
What is this force that reminds me of home? 
Where the beads of water and sunlight kiss the flowers glow 
They sparkle with glory and sing a song to my eyes 
Tears of mine sing a song 
A love song 
I sing it with abandon---others join along 

I sing it with tears, allowing joy to run down my face 

Where do I direct my gaze-toward life or death? 
Towards the past or the future? 
I am pulled between the two when all I want is the present 
Yet I find the middle, comfort and gathered 
Balancing in the tension 
Filled with love, peace, a longing, joy! 
Joy sparkles despite all odds against it 
Sparkling even with a million to one 
A beautiful gem 
Life 

Thankful for every day 
Gratitude can be my superpower 
Envy can be my kryptonite 
But what if the grass is greener over there? 
What if, under the thick canopy, all colors fire the field? 
I ache to be in the flame, merging with the beauty 
Yes, awake, no regrets, no shame, no promises 
A new sense-awake in an all new way 
The seventh sense moves 

Eye of the storm 
Praise in dark times 
Sing songs of hope 
Recite poems of anguish 
Let the words shout all that is within you 
Bright burst of language like a body of light 
Speaking words that shimmer beyond memory 

A shimmering fire upon the earth, but I shall not be consumed, for God's light is within I am because we are-the fire one and the same 
And because we are, I am fire 


Washed with colors and I've loved you for ten thousand years before you were born and after you lived Eternity is love eternal 
Everlasting hope 
The source, the energy, life 
A seed planted deep within the earth pushes itself towards light 
The yearning, the passion, the desire produces the fight 
Fervent fever that dances its soul music 
Melodic sickness that lifts my feet to the skies 
My descent will be a pleasant fall into God's loving arms 

My mother is gone, but forever alive, she knows all from the heavens 
And sends love, for love endures all and remains 
Like the universe sends love 
Look at the bright shining stars 
Gaze at the beauty, let it flood your heart's eye 
Inhale the fragrance, let it pull forward the memories 
Let them come to life in all their vibrance
Warm hues that web their silk among us 
Weaving us into belonging 

I wish the stars would always shimmer, never fade 
Flowers fade, memories fade, why can't some things remain 

But reborn, blooms that make a present gift Will I ever become what I am meant to be? In the dawn I shall be immersed in sunlight 
In the night I shall know the warmth of love that is ever-present if I have the mind to recognize it 
My eyes close and dream Home! My shelter, my safe place 


Look at how the wind brings the salted sea to you 
What a gift to taste life in my mouth 
And to hear the voice of God in my heart 
And to hear the voice of the divine in your words 
And the word was God! 
The word manifest 
The word enfleshed in us all 
Why don't we see that everyone belongs? 
Is it because we do not see everyone? 

My heart is burning for something 
That something is the love of God burning in my soul 
That recognizes the flicker, the light burning like a flame in you And a flame in me 
A burning desire to please 
Let it go, let go, trust 
Trust yourself, you are trustworthy, worthy of trust, 
You are who you become on your brightest day 

Flash of brilliant red against the gray 

This Exquisite Corpse, titled "Ritual," was created by poets Sue, Rod, Lisa, Wahid, Dave, Laura, Meng, Nathan, and Brian in March of 2022.