Image by Shrikesh Kumar
Dancing dancing the river is free we move
As one I move dancing embracing sun walking alone
Trusting the dance above and below what is seen
Sun’s appearance earth sleeping fearing the warmth
May be deceptive a visit cut short by more cold
River rustling nutria surfacing birds peering hesitating
Tendrils reaching green slowly reaching up
hiding true movement roots welcoming dark below
Hoping sun will stay dancing our hidden selves hoping
In time with earth and all life hearts beating
dancing above and below softly unexpectedly
Moving in time in time with earth’s rhythm
Ripples a river of ripples dancing up and down
Sun’s ripples of light radiating ever stronger
Flowing inward and outward flowing
As one yet ever alone I dance
Because Of The Past Winter By Noël Bella Merriam
Image by enriquelopezgarre
Struggling to stay awake some days
On others small jewels reveal themselves opaque
In the dark cave of existence
Glistening calling low I can’t stop myself
From reaching out for the dark
Glowing hematite burnished silver black jade
Slow shimmers like my breath a sparkle upon arising
Stretch into the future without faltering
Before minutes and memories sink the hours
Offer what I can to the goddess this moment
Wishing to exchange stillness and sorrow
Molding new meaning with the mud covering my hands
Noël Bella Merriam
Noël Bella Merriam is a Latinx artist and poet from San Antonio, Texas. Her poetry has appeared in Oye Drum, Pecan Grove Review, Cactus Alley, The Revue, The Children of Nigh, and the San Antonio Poetry Anthology. She was a finalist for the 2021 Saguaro Poetry Prize and her poems explore themes of family, identity, culture, loss, and transformation.