#totem
Totemic— the drowned **** rises from the blasted shore, linking the severed heads, the spinal cord and collections of scorn.
May 16, 2025
May 16, 2025 at 6:48 PM UTC
Love is the universal element.
Attention is the universal currency.
Together we embark on celestial
Missions of ordinary urgency.
Gathering up mountains,
Effervescently iridescent.
Cloaked to me like thunder
Clasped to a forlorn crescent.
Details of blue,
Flashes of indigo,
Orbit the thoughts
That think through their howls.
Reminding us the wrongs
That we’ve fought.
With patience and wisdom
Of spiders and owls.
Feb 25, 2021
Feb 25, 2021 at 9:10 PM UTC
he'll be seen with
others of his sort
for they travel in
a drove's escort
he's not an Angus
nor a Hereford
yet he's of the
bovine accord
over the centuries
he's roamed inside the Utah state
so he can find food
for his stomach's sate
the first nation people
will symbolize him on a totem pole
as this represents
his strength of role
if you can guess what
animal he is
you'll be the one
to solve the quiz
May 30, 2019
May 30, 2019 at 7:13 PM UTC
A totem am I,
Double helix memories,
Of DNA history!
Jan 6, 2019
Jan 6, 2019 at 2:50 AM UTC
Among the garbage and the flowers,
forgotten between stars,
abandoned by their creator,
who probably didn't even exist;
a poet is born.
They care not much for their life
for they've seen through it, they know.
Not different from their peers,
not new in their painful world,
sometimes garbage, sometimes a flower,
maybe forgotten, maybe a star,
certainly a creator.
They know and are known,
they love and are loved,
they hate and are hated.
Among the garbage and the flowers
a totem is erected, its life decided,
it's grow is determined, forever.
Among the garbage and the flowers,
between the poet and the totem
a poem falls and makes a soundless noise.
Dutiful in its love and hate,
it loves the totem and hates the poet.
It moves, unmoved and unmoving,
away from the poet to the totem,
it races towards an unseen goal line.
Among the garbage and the flowers
a photo is taken,
an image of a poet, a totem, a poem.
Something calls your attention
you look at it, and they are gone.
Jul 22, 2018
Jul 22, 2018 at 2:56 PM UTC
I took two totems
and held them to
myself
one in my right pocket
and one in my left
for clenching
tight in reminder
while walking about
of what's really
important
a brass bull
keychain strung
to the keys
that opened my home
and made it mine
for prosperity
and material health
and weighing down
to the ground
and a little hunk
of lapis lazuli
speckled through
with golden
glitters
for keeping
bright blue and
buoyant
my spirit
the bull broke off
its chain and
left a dangling void
a superfluous
jangle
wiggling on old
keys turned in
to an old landlord
the stone
slipped out of my
jacket pocket
in a cab to the
airport to a plane
to the other side
of the world
now of my totems
but a short refrain
and a
memory's glitter
remain
© 2017 Adelaide Heathfield
Feb 23, 2018
Feb 23, 2018 at 8:07 AM UTC
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****** fish polar automatic systa\
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In Hyper mode acorns Nirvana\
reefs repulsing adorned indulgence\
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for Vendetta breach Central Intelligence Agent econometric Lake Taekwondo\
belching kajukenbo Yelp confidence dojo defix six triple sister trix un matching\
style styx\ flex inflict flicK biC hatch imprisoned box batch dix dimension hix\
Jun 28, 2017
Jun 28, 2017 at 1:06 PM UTC
up in the mountains
in a place called Lincoln
15 degrees cooler where I sit
where sweet raindrops fall
an cascade on the leaves here
an monarch butterflies flit
this is a place
that is so otherworldly
everywhere something for me
when lo and behold
above on a lantern
what do you think that I see?
my loveliest Luna
the moth of my moon
sent to me,
this I am sure
my beautiful Luna
feminine lady
I am astounded at her
if you don't know her
you really should
she only lives here to love
Luna my Luna
thank you grandmother
sent to me from up above,
she is a totem of time from before
sacred of sacred is she
Luna my Luna thank you for coming
thank you for rescuing me,
I will remember your sacrifices
given unselfish for free
I will be looking for all other signs too
I will be looking to see
exactly how beautiful
this great big experience is here,
so that I can retell it
in all its true
glory an splendor
undebted to the past
to you again one day.
Ma Cherie © 2017
Jun 25, 2017
Jun 25, 2017 at 8:37 AM UTC
And when I lay dying on floorboards
Totems planked like Tetris
I, liver, gut, blood
Cried my psyche spare me
We all glow like embers
When we start to burn from the inside
And when I lay dying on floorboards
What did we talk about?
Lazarus, you black angel
Why do you linger so
Painful on the edge
Of death and the veil?
Talk to me
It’s just me, it’s just me
It’s just me, it’s just me
And all the awful things you say
It’s just me
It’s just me
It’s just me
It's just me
Feb 28, 2017
Feb 28, 2017 at 2:31 AM UTC
The first time
I heard them
I swear,
I was to listening
to the most beautiful choir
in four-part harmony,
swaying
or angles wings rubbing,
& perfectly, playing
a common file instrument
angled, such a unique sound
symphonic & splendorous
they are all around
this free concert
an offering of
Mother Nature
chiming at once
uncaged,
& calling on the ladies
in perfect unison
sounding like church
telling one another
of sunlit hours
say the flowers
fending off evil spirits
allowing me to travel
into the dark again
leaping over obstacles,
alerting me to danger,
still in their silence
I am protected
by this harbinger of luck
a most powerful portent,
of coming things
they sit silently in the quiet,
like a copper cricket weathervane,
as the poor man's thermometer
spinning tales effortlessly,
in the wind calmly
watching over us
a shivering in the night
save you, are mine
my Native American totem
or God's Cricket Chorus
foretelling of Sorrow
of coming rains tomorrow
ex-lovers and death
a shrill creaking
stridulating in song
Oh, I fear that day,
your music should go away
please dear uncaged cricket choir
I truly ....
hope you'll stay.
Cherie Nolan© 2016
Sep 27, 2016
Sep 27, 2016 at 1:32 PM UTC
Gitano yawned,
stretching out under
the shrine of Öli.
Here he plotted
and hid a mouthful
of secrets; and the Lord
watched over him
as he slept.
He plotted,
for coyote wisdom
is disguised by folly
and cunning
and guile.
All about, the vermilion
stain of Mars. The coyote
chuckled mischievously,
dreaming at the feet
of the Master and Judge.
Above,
a ziggurat raised
to the Goddess.
Two great black eagles
circled in a sky
of dry roses and lilacs.
La Santisima Muerte
stood at a distance,
yet bore Gitano
in Her *****
His mischiefs were scribed
upon a cartouche
to amuse gods
and teach men;
Yet men are not
so easily taught
as gods are amused;
For men have not yet
learned to believe
what makes them laugh.
And so Gitano sleeps,
and talks while he sleeps;
wherefore the Ways
of mischief and trickery
were laid bare.
The secret is to teach
at the expense
of innocence.
Certain illusions persist;
they must be shattered,
but their thrall
can only be broken
by design.
Whether bitterness
takes root in the wake
of the shattering
is not Gitano's concern.
Because sometimes
realization can only come
through being made a fool,
revealed to ourselves
as absurd.
Angry at our own foolishness,
we blame the one
who denudes it.
The coyote, too, is a Fool.
A Fool can learn,
shaping destiny
by taking responsibility.
Through death a Fool
becomes wise,
seeing the joke.
The burden of karma
is left to those
who cannot laugh.
Man grits his teeth,
his brow furrowed.
He despairs.
Gitano chuckles,
unperturbed.
Jul 14, 2015
Jul 14, 2015 at 3:57 PM UTC
When we met,
you made my heart wet.
Like morning dew of hope,
from Heaven, chemistry crept,
with hope and regret
of everything you may
and may not get.
Your faculties tasted me
in anticipation...
How my eyes' light
might look in your bed,
how my words ringing
swam in your head.
You perked me up like sweet grass,
onto my taste buds you bled.
Our souls danced
and sang in embrace.
When we parted they said,
Well if that's that,
mission accomplished.
Whether covert or conscious,
whether or not
she even calls him,
we have loved once again.
Less a natural reaction,
more an inexplicable combustion.
From that day on it was destined,
from admiration swapped and accepted,
We could never return
to who we'd been.
Jan 2, 2015
Jan 2, 2015 at 10:03 PM UTC
I lay atop the grass with Cecily,
taking in the sun anew.
He calls down,
Come see what I've done now,
come see this new tattoo!
Eh.
I'm rather proud!
Not now cuz, I'm busy.
Oh come now, it's profound!
A portrait of Edgar Allen Poe!
Speaking of poets,
I'm quite in the middle
of an epic something...
DO YOU MIND?!
It's realllllly good though!
Oh, fine.
I plod my *** up the stairs
in the heat and reach the balcony.
I'm blown out of the water.
He's right, it's a masterpiece!
Edgar's soul ringing out
through skin to me!
Oh, wow.
You know,
he owns my favorite poem.
Which is that?
A dream within a dream.
Ah yes,
the canvas muses,
reciting a verse,
just like music.
Well isn't this canvas kindred!
The length of his cigarette
the duration of time we quip.
Back and forth, our own prose.
He says not to kiss your ***
but you are quite moving my soul.
You are inspiring me,
the way you tie emotions to paper,
in utter splendor.
Smoke break over,
to return to mechanical buzzing.
His eyes sincere,
I'd like to share,
hear more your words.
And I yours! I descend stairs,
with Godson in towe.
Are you of this town?
Yes, for now.
As am I, you should take my digits.
OK!
I'm still descending.
Oh, right..
pulling out my phone.
I'm a stickler for full names,
what are you called?
Oh, I'm Italian too!
Well, I'm Sicilian, it's quite a difference.
Oh is it now?
******* elitist.
Handsome though.
We'll see where this goes...
Jan 2, 2015
Jan 2, 2015 at 12:59 AM UTC
Spark up my cancer stick
as the mist rolls in.
Enchanted, I sit on these steps
and catch water rivulets
while holding my breath,
the smoke entwining
with secrets I've shed,
all the while cherishing
the thought of shared bed.
My wicked streak
no longer welcome here
there's no room
in our nest
for this shame
in my chest
I find myself nourishing
what hasn't happened yet,
flourishing
the tender side of my soul
in the dead of night
I sit here alone not cold,
for beknownst to me,
my inner vision in sight,
orange cones
surround the scene,
that cannot obscure
moonlight,
oxygen growing in trees
and all the famed whispers
cavorting with me.
All congenial
with our convictions,
this depiction
of snow Winter sent
has me lifted.
Every fence i lean over
has only meant that
I see you.
Spring sprouts as a human,
your hope makes me feel new.
I've hit the ground running
to pick up your pace,
but not for a second
do I feel in a race.
We have hit
a harmonious stride,
and Dear, I do find
that your words
are the grace
in this ephemeral place.
I'm right beside you smiling
because home is your face.
Dec 27, 2014
Dec 27, 2014 at 12:50 AM UTC
Initiate our souls into the light
Flamingo yes your hue is burning bright
Your colors lighting up the night
We migrate out of darkness within you
Enlighten us to heal our weary hearts
To be with love and never to depart
Appreciating brand new starts
Your beauty resonates us deep within
We want nothing more than with you to be free
To fly away from stress along with thee
Our wings could only hope to grow
As beautiful as yours unfold
You are the breath of freshened air
Our spirits call to breathe repair
In my memory of you I see poise
Noticing your stance without a noise
Perfectly still you are seen
Tranquil in life's pond so serene
As we pass through to become in ourselves
Teach us how to become nothing else
Than the magnetic beautiful creatures
Spirit designed with every feature
We are a gift to the flowing
Always coming always going
There never seems to be enough
Time in the universe thereof
To take a moment to enjoy
And therefore we destroy
This is an ode to your sweet nature
A song of love and light not danger
A memory we are creating
A vibrant show of figure skating
In the circle of acceptance now
Our wings are rising up to bow
Take in the scenery with deepened breath
Never afraid of shaking hands with death
For we are peaceful and at rest
Knowing we always do our best
A true beginning has no end
Drinking from life as we befriend
The journey of our soul path
In a spiritual rose bath
Amen
© tHE tERRY tREE
Dec 9, 2014
Dec 9, 2014 at 1:10 AM UTC
In glorious flight owning daylight
You magistrate freedom across
An ocean with your own box
Of twilight that you share
In a land of fish
A moonlit wish
With wings that
Kiss the
Sky
Throughout your expeditions to ground
Your voice is a dynamic sound
None can ignore your presence
What would Pandora say
When you sing that way?
Higher you fly
Distances
Many
Won't
Instruct us to use our heart compass
Open our eyes to perspective
Show us potential to live
When self-doubt is about
Like a grain of sand
May our cares be
Found without
A need
For
The liberty of our latitude
Is the length of our attitude
The way the wind blows effects
The direction we go
Our choices to be
Curiously
Ebb and flow
Waving
Lo
Behold a new dawn of bright feather
Consider the stormy weather
Notice how cloud and sun
Witness the Mother
Nature at play
Survey to
Coastal
Bay
May we find our way as you have shown
Limitless unbounded and flown
So shallow is the worry
No longer a fury
A calming has come
Soaring above
With truth in
Our hearts
Won
Riding the currents of emotions
Soaring aloft mental oceans
Wings spanned in physical worlds
Discover us great pearls
Of wisdom and poise
Joyful in noise
Good solid
Gifts of
Sage
Cleansing our spirits of past trifles
Being careful not to stifle
New growth with every gust gained
A quill, a crest, a quest
A mountain peaked with
Knowledge like the
Pier we are
Destined
To
A gate to become the best versions
Of our outstanding self-landing
Into the stars we have been
The fringe dust of pinion
Divine with the wind
Beginning free
And renewed
With no
End
© tHE tERRY tREE
Dec 5, 2014
Dec 5, 2014 at 9:15 PM UTC
Summon us the rain yet
With the drums that we recall I
Am the corresponding return
Beautiful lunar and thunder to
A rhythm where all seasons of the
Different viewpoints even ugly in the winter
Are holding up the Universal land
An outer space pond having
Baptized resurrection of acceptance in a chosen
Life-cycle that changes all of the
Symbols through your travels which are heavy.
Changes also equal to soul art
Echo countless metaphors of the
Mindless croaking bond.
Teach in us the thanksgiving of
Heaven's harvest and every single thing
That brings a drunkenness and promise of
Choristers with hymns on stone
For a prolonged life is in and of
What solid reawakening has fortuned deep within upon this earth.
Renewed as well returned I
Carry lucky charms and find that I am
Known in other words bound
With the Spirit to
An ancient stand
That is encountering such places found under
Forces much much before the
Egg existed in a frozen
Past lone part of all creation much much before the thorn
Grew from the rose bush you were jumping by
Far down the brook of evolution where the
Message that you ribbit warm or cold
Is soon discovered befriending those of heart and hearth
As we all listen to your lessons and
The magic song revival that you sing
Nov 27, 2014
Nov 27, 2014 at 1:36 AM UTC
You stole the fire from the sun
Your winged manifest expressed
Brings purity to darkenedness
You bring with you a light loved one
To shine on earth in loveliness
You stole the fire from the sun
Your winged manifest expressed
Your feathers fork-like have become
You soar with ease and happiness
To free us from our loneliness
You stole the fire from the sun
Your winged manifest expressed
Brings purity to darkenedness
A swallow nesting on our home
Will teach us to be swiftly heard
By using wisdom with our words
In gracefulness you deeply roam
With eyes of every Angel bird
A swallow nesting on our home
Will teach us to be swiftly heard
To rise above is to be shown
That life can often be absurd
And if emotions should be stirred
A swallow nesting on our home
Will teach us to be swiftly heard
By using wisdom with our words
To be objective is the key
Perspective must not be mundane
The spirit cannot be constrained
Distance will help you see clearly
The answers that will soon explain
To be objective is the key
Perspective must not be mundane
Create a loving energy
That's easy for you to maintain
And you will reach a higher plane
To be objective is the key
Perspective must not be mundane
The spirit cannot be constrained
With knowledge of divinity
Guide us dear Swallow as we grow
Enlighten us to what we know
As days pass by forgetfully
We misplace insights we behold
With knowledge of divinity
Guide us dear Swallow as we grow
The song you sing of trinity
With holy magic you bestow
All Saints and Gurus overflow
With knowledge of divinity
Guide us dear Swallow as we grow
Enlighten us to what we know
© tHE tERRY tREE
Aug 25, 2014
Aug 25, 2014 at 4:47 PM UTC
Invisible leaf that resides among one billion
Reminding us at will to stand still
The constant battle that our lifetimes can create
Aren't always open to agree or negotiate
Much like your nymphs we are like children
Crying in obstinance "Deliver us from evil!" with your grace
Teach us to draw upon our powers
Guide us to step down from our towers
Open up our ignorance to unlimited dimensions
Of consciousness and gentle contemplation
As we align our will with God
Spirit Mantis instruct our inner faith
Enabling our prophecy of strength and ancient peace
Bringing forth the song that sings and dreams
Of loving life force in between us, every soul
Survival's toll is not just individual
Calm as can be to walk on water and to believe
That every son and every daughter has a place
Look into the eyes of praying mantis
Observe the way her clever stance is
Like a meditation pose and prayer-like dance
He is our guide to quietly reside inside
The home our heart protectively shares and confides
A safety zone, a loving tone, and glowing space
As I kneel, as we pose, as we pray for all of those
Who cannot hear or see the beauty you bestow
Spirit guide us, please un-divide us
Show us your tranquil meditative flow
And in this may we hear what we behold
Will allow comfort to become the world we know
© tHE tERRY tREE
Aug 22, 2014
Aug 22, 2014 at 6:42 PM UTC