Worship.
as in all things holy, pure, and sacred
below the sun
among the trees
and rustling leaves.
Interconnected.

Worship.
as in the sound of waterfalls
and rivers
touching boulders and moss
of sunlight cascading.
Interconnected.

Worship.
as in bluebird skies
and vast spaces
red, yellow, orange, and green leaves
feeling the crisp breeze.
Interconnected.

Worship.
as in standing on a huge boulder
trusting gravity and my own two feet
looking out and down and around
feeling alive.
Interconnected.

Worship.
as in hugging
the trunk of a grandiose tree
as in the roots planted deep
teaching me important things.
Interconnected.

Worship.
as in there's no separation
between the 5 elements
and moon phases and Love
through all living Beings and Me.
Interconnected.

I don't want to wear
Resilience as a badge anymore
And honestly I wonder when
Resilience because such a compliment.

Like, why do I have to
Barely thrive to survive or feel praised?
And when did society start
To see hardship as a metric of accolade?

I don't need another thing
To solidify my strength
I just want to live in peace.
To be. To breathe.

I'm so tired of being tough
When is resilience resilient enough?
I don't want to wear this crown.
I just want to go lay down.

©KSS 6/2024

The Blue Heron waits
In the water's flow,
Against the wind's blow,
Still and unafraid;
At peace.

The Butterfly soars
Free in the breeze
Beside moss
Through the trees;
Strong wings.

The river runs deep
Next to small streams
Against the current
Blue Heron stands
Content, and waiting
                for the Butterfly to land.

©KSS 4/2024

They don't know what to do
When I say I'm a Witch.
Blank stares and fake laughter
As the words just roll
Like honey from my lips.

I'm not afraid to admit
Out loud my descent.
I take pride in being a line
Of Healers and Wise Women
Who knew secrets of the Earth
And took care of their tribe.

The ones burned at the stake
Because of fear and greed
Will live on inside of me.
Through my work
And my heart, and my hands.
For I, too, am a Witch you see.

A title that's blessed
For eternity-
An honor, royal, full of dignity.
There's no shame to claiming
My Heritage.
For it beats loudly in my chest.

Natural remedies come easily
A gift that I possess.
Potions made from oils
Healing herbs and crystals
Stored inside my mind,
While Mother Earth does all the rest.

So I dare you to look past your fear
And deep inside my eyes
Where secrets of ancient Wisdom lies.
Maybe then you'll start to feel the truth
When I tilt my chin to proudly proclaim:
Why yes, actually I am a Witch.
(Sister, so are you.)

©KSS 10/2018

They say "peace flows like a river"
But I find it
Among the trees
And babbling brooks
And somehow when
I'm standing next to you.

The mossy rocks
And moonlit skies
Sooth my Soul
And somehow
So does time
Spent with you.

Moments of serenity
Come to me
On playgrounds
And with bare feet
Underneath green canopies
And somehow amidst your energy.

Chipmunks and hammock swings
Bring joy to me
So does silence away
From city lights; and starlit skies
And somehow
The blue hues in your eyes.

©KSS 7/2023

They say "peace flows like a river"
But I find it
Among the trees
And babbling brooks
And somehow when
I'm standing next to you.

The mossy rocks
And moonlit skies
Sooth my Soul
And somehow
So does time
Spent with you.

Moments of serenity
Come to me
On playgrounds
And with bare feet
Underneath green canopies
And somehow amidst your energy.

Chipmunks and hammock swings
Bring joy to me
So does silence away
From city lights; and starlit skies
And somehow
The blue hues in your eyes.

©KSS 7/2023

complexities and fantasies
swept up
in my mind

the balance beam
of yin and yang
all intertwined

a poetic soul
my heart always
a little too open

a pining lover
my feelings always left
a little unspoken

i romanticize
with smiles and eyes
and i cast spells too

a charismatic
hopeful romantic
with rose tainted views

melodious and melancholy
the labyrinth
of my life

©KSS 10/2022