Thank you, Rick 
Oh Norene - so sorry for your loss. Thank you for sharing your creativity & grieving. Love & hugs to you.
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Thank you, Jewel
I am so sorry Norene. I so loved seeing Sasha on the calls with her tail in front of the camera. I will miss seeing her and Iâm so sorry for your loss.
Jean
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I wrote a spontaneous poem - Iâm Canadian but deeply troubled by what is happening in the US. I hope this is okay to share here. If others want to create art or poetry or prayers or some other creative expression or empowerment - maybe this will spark something good & healing. Itâs not a really good poem. But itâs a start for a quiet one.
What in the fuck is happening?
I have no words
I see no solution
I fear it may be violence
Here in my peace-loving corner
I watch & wait
itâs harder to breathe
And Iâm one of the lucky ones
Is this really happening?
How in the world did we come to this?
For freedom seekers & lovers of kindness
This is a badly made horror show
I pray to see my power
To know that my voice matters
I will not sit & quietly watch
While the bastards burn democracy
While they leech compassion from the soul and celebrate atrocities
How can I make my stand?
How do I make my prayers heard?
Itâs hard to know if I matter.
But love matters
And we the people matter
And I cannot be always quiet - when my soul is yelling NO!
And my bones are railing for riots
And my heart is sick with fear and rage
And grief calls out for words, for poems, for songs, for something!
I am not sure yet
But I have a voice
If I believe that I matter
If I see my power
If we are together in fierce love & liberty
What might we do?
I am asking you.
But I am not a warrior
A poet, artist, philosopher.
A lover, woman, carrier of burdens, a playful spirit, a soulcare listener.
How do the gentler ones fight for freedom?
The friends from afar?
The quiet ones?
Can you share your heart with me?
Do you have any poems?
Some art or verse or actions or prayers?
Some way to be together in the wordless place?
My heart is with you.
Are you okay?
If you speak in breathless bits and pieces,
Or draw small lines of color on a large dark canvas
I would welcome some spirit light and I am listening. With slightly crumpled heart.
Share you art.
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I see now that Norene has already been expressing her âquiet riotâ in art. Iâm glad it made your heart lighter. Thanks for sharing.
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Thank you, Jean. Your kind words are much appreciated.
I keep wanting to delete the poem - worried it was just an âoverly emotional blurtâ and only adds to difficult feelings rather than bringing comfort. But I like Noreenâs idea of a âQuiet Riotâ so Iâll explore making some art along these lines and see what unfolds.
In the meantime I like these words by Ram Dass:
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THAT is a lovely thought, and yes, goes sweetly with your poem, too.
âWhether this is the first day of the Apocalypse or the first day of the Golden Age, the work remains the same⌠to love each other and ease as much suffering as possible.â ~ Ram Dass
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I appreciate your words/art/poem/creativity. Itâs comforting to know that we, in the United States are not alone in wondering âWhat the fuck is happening?â With regard to âoverly emotional blurtâ I believe some situations call for it, need it. For instance, Picassoâs Guernica deals with a difficult situation and that moment was not meant to bring comfort, it was meant to bring awareness to a horrific situation, I believe you will bring comfort in a different piece, using different words.
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Thanks Rick & Norene.
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P.S. I really like this piece of art - it feels like a very loud affirmation for LIFE and also has a kind of calm, grounding energy. Thanks. Much appreciated.
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Did some âquiet riotâ collage today while sitting in my sisterâs backyard. Such a nice day. This made me feel betterâŚ
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Well done, Jewel!! Beautiful colors and words! I hear you ROARING!!
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Thank you, Norene. 
