Song of Angels

Brilliant radiance.

Delicate elegance.

Humbling quiet.

Cleansed.

Gentle. Peace.

(all photographs copyright Francyne Kunkel)

My radiant heart rests gently
on a pedestal of spring flowers
lifted up by the brilliance of their petals,
the stitching that once held it so tight
stretched til breaking point
surrendered with a sigh.
Gratitude for it's loyal protection
seamlessly weaves into a soft membrane
yielding, at last, to the free flow of energy.
This miracle of love is born on the freedom of the wind,
it's courage ignited by the sacred flame of healing,
cleansed and caressed by the salt of the sea,
and grounded by the fertile soil under my feet.
It rises from the undying light of patience,
revels in the sweet rapture of discovering gentleness
at the edge of effort and surrender,
embracing harmony within the enchanted dance
of inhalation and exhalation.
This is the song of angels
dancing through my flesh,
blessing my bones,
kissing my eyelids,
so I may feel once again,
the beauty of love
enveloping me.

10022012

Eastbound Bay Bridge
sweet October heat
hanging softly
in the night air,
yellow harvest moon
rising over the horizon
just shy of full
but still worth a howl,
heart freshly bathed
in wild, cool pacific
my skin sticky with salt,
car windows down
music up,
alive, awake & luminous.
Another joyous pinpoint
on my cognitive map
of home.

The Burren

I trace contours of loneliness into the wild landscape,
 my eyes following the path that raindrops carved through stone
 across smooth surfaces
 down into crevices
 gradient fluctuating between shadow and light
 before finally giving way to a vibrant green,
 resiliency of life revealed
 in delicate, bold petals of the smallest flower
 blooming in a most unexpected place.
Lying on my back supported by cool, sturdy stone
 I relax in knowing something greater than me
 stronger than the pull of my wayward heart,
 supports my existence here -
 provides a counter force to gravity’s constant weight.
And beneath it all, an underground river pulses,
 dragging with it centuries of sediment,
 churning layer upon layer of sorrow and hope
 gathering up mysteries ancient and new
 as she ceaselessly carves her way to the sea.
 The permeable limestone is no match for the power of the river,
 although unseen, she is felt -
 swaying the balance of all things unsettled
 begging answers to unwanted questions,
as the invisible waters dredge
along the jagged boundaries of my mind
they reflect just how raw, open
 and fragile I am,
 alone in this place of expansive power and beauty
 in a breathless and unending journey
 to explore the unfolding terrain of my soul.

Neptune Enters Pisces (Get Higher)

Ever surrendering
to the waking dream
sometimes I forget the boundaries
that keep us apart
and how desperately we cling to them-
my heart beats
regardless.
Angelic voices
echo off asphalt
soar through the thick nitesky,
spell out our collective myth
letter by letter,
songs of creation
of joy, songs of love
stretch towards the cosmos
rise through memories deep
delicate, treasure troves
penetrate the great mystery
beat after beat.
With a vibrancy
just out of grasp
and a feeling I can't ignore
with a smile, a laugh
and beautiful fractal eyes,
I decide
to put the pencil down
ditch the decoys
embrace the color orange
and set the world on fire
with the tender spark
of my heart.

Sleeping In

Floating somewhere between
structure
and desire,
the edge where
my heart
meets
two feet on the floor
Lured back to the dream
Time & time again
With heavy lids
I explore these
liminal zones
knowledge revealing itself in
cryptic code
In the waking world
seconds tick by
guided by the laws of physics
there is a
yes and
no
a should and
shouldn't.
In dream land
I'm a rogue outlaw
creating my own agreements
with
G
r
a
v
i
t
y
.

Future Memory

Not too long ago I had a powerful waking dream. It was a vivid future memory, a deep memory from a time that has not yet happened. I remembered when the people of the Earth were divided in chaos, when the dominant culture threatened to destroy any chance of harmony on this planet. It was a moment of great turmoil on Earth, where the well-being of all creatures was in danger. And in that place of the future, oh so clearly, the memories came flooding back. I remember the turning. I remember the moment when people began to wake up, when both technology and our collective consciousness bound the far corners of the world tightly together. I remember when women all over the globe stood up, when they screamed "NO MORE!", when they clasped hands and took to the streets demanding change, demanding justice. I remember when the men joined them, when they refused to fuel the cycle of violence that had carried society thus far, when they sat down in the plaza to meditate, when they followed their hope out onto the streets and didn't look back. And the children, who at such a young age already understood so much about the word, I remember their voices ringing out, loud and proud, as helicopters circled the sky above them.
When they first occupied the streets, the goal was not clear to any of them, there were no stated objectives. There were divisions within the group and doubts about the desired outcome. However, no matter how much the mainstream media, the corporations and governments of the world sought to exploit their differences, the People were bound by one strong commonality that could not be torn down - they were passionately committed to fighting for justice. That passion and commitment was enough to carry an entire movement. The strategy, tactics and execution would all fall into place with time, patience and compassion.
In my memory the taste of victory was so clear. We stood triumphantly together, having fought an enemy so great the battle had seemed impossible to win. And yet we had. This wasn't just a daydream. This was an actual memory. I don't know how far in the future this memory came from, but I have to believe that it is true. It gives me hope and brings inspiration into those dark times when it seems like we are up against too much. I hesitate to write this, I hesitate to share this because it seems so impossible to believe. The world seems so blatantly fucked up right now. There is so much evidence that says we are completely doomed, and scant evidence that claims we've got a chance. But please, I beg of you to consider the possibility that we could come out of this era victoriously. Consider the possibility of living in a more harmonious world, one where systemic imbalance and rouge capitalism don't rule over 99% of us. Dare to dream, dare to believe that another future is possible. I know in my heart its true. You don't need to have all the answers in order to begin the work, perhaps the answers will arise in the process. I'm willing to participate in the process. I'm willing to question my own beliefs and willing to make different choices day to day. I'm willing to step out of my comfort zone. To educate myself. To use my physical body to stand up for what I believe in. I'm willing to be vulnerable.
I'm NOT willing to sit here complacently as our rights are cooly stripped away and corrupt politicians recklessly gamble with our future. I won't sit idly by as our planet is raped in the name of corporate greed. I won't sit and watch as a nameless system swallows us whole.
I remember the moment when people began to wake up...

Love on the Wind

Wishes in the wind.

So, so free.

No limits.

I breathe you out

watch you float gracefully on the wind

only in the open air

with your wings spread wide

do I begin to realize

the great heights you'll soar to.

As the light rays of the sun

illuminate the beautiful intricacies of your shape

I see your true form

and in the contrast of your shadow

the depth of your passion is revealed.