The creek line along the outer wall of King’s Canyon.
Elegy For Mother
I stopped on the rise
where the trail opens to a valley,
and sat for a while admiring your view.
I took off my shoes and savoured your sand,
ran my hands down your powdery skin,
stretched my arms out in praise,
breathing you in,
taking you in memory,
sacred memory.
Purified in your creeks,
fuelled by your self-offering,
I reflect this on your paper,
in my electronica chic,
mineral products so smooth.
All that you are is
all that I am,
and all that I have.
Yet, though I valliantly try,
I have left you
exhausted,
depleted,
like a football I once kicked,
burst and rent.
Kyoto a faded vow,
my lust has consumed you
your energy spent
feeding mine.
And more than admiration,
or the faithlessness of plattitudes,
Mother,
Sacred Mother,
you need a hand.
©Paul Cannon
Paul,
pvcann.com
parallax 
The photo – great color and shade. Great write.
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Many thanks James, appreciate that.
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Beautiful !! Both photo and the post.
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Thank you so very much Nalini
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Beautiful.
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Thank you Megha, feeling encouraged – a lot 🙂
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Yes that’s intention exactly.I featured your poem on the GoDogGo cafe do read the others post too.
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Yes, I like that site, some great reading there, thank you for doing that.
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My pleasure Paul.
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Reblogged this on Megha's World and commented:
Come read this beautiful elegy for our dear mother earth from my beloved friend and poet Paul Cannon
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Well that is such a lovely thing to do, thank you so much Megha.
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My pleasure Paul.
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Thank you for sharing this place. I am touched by both words and image.
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Thank you so much Sandy. Glad it could touch you in that way.
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Reblogged this on Cage Dunn: Writer, Author, Teller-of-tall-tales and commented:
…
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Words we need to share – I have reblogged this, Paul – thank you.
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That is very kind Cage, thank you.
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It is beautiful, caring, and insightful.
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Wow, well, what to say. That is wonderful, and for me encouraging.
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wow wow and wow!
Your best photo ever by far … the light and shade, the texture and dramatic colours!
Your poem so seductive, direct, necessary .. so powerful and meaningful … love it all!
Ten gold stars 🙂
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Well that’s a wonderful comment to open up, thank you Kate. I was fortunate that day to get the right moment.
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oh please talent is talent … two reblogs! When Megha reblogs me I will know I have developed my talent … meanwhile bask in the glory 😉
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Well then, okay 🙂
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Beautiful poem and picture!
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Thank you 🙂
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This is wonderful. I haven’t been to King’s Canyon (yet anyway) but your photo made me feel like I was walking those sands. Immediately on reading your poem and looking at the photo I felt the urge to get up and go there. The desert of Australia has such a strong pull on the psyche of those of us who dwell on the coast.
I agree totally – Mother Earth is calling to us – now her cries are louder than ever.
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Yes, I find that pull too, although for a few years I lived on its edge, I’m mostly coastal, thank you Suzanne
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Phew
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Yeah, not so easy, grief is deep.
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Ok, I understand. Thanks, Paul.
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Thank you
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This is so heartfelt and three reblogs say what I perhaps may not be able to say. Bravo!
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I really am grateful for the lovely comment, many thanks.
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What a beautiful photo and important poem combo!
I try to give Mother Earth a hand every day.
I’m glad Kate sent us over here to read.
HUGS,
Carolyn 🙂
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Thank you for your kind words Carolyn, very much appreciated 🙂 Hugs, Paul
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A beautiful part of Australia.
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It sure is, and a must.
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Wow I love this poem
Very evocative and powerful
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Yes, from the heart, embodied
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Reblogged this on Go Dog Go Café and commented:
Megha’s Pay It Forward Pick of the Week
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Very kind, many thanks for doing that.
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Super post Paul! It is such a shame that we savage Mother Earth! Bravo!!!
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Yes, we have savaged her, and still we carry on, well some do.
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Thank you
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You are kindly welcome.
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Reblogged this on The Reluctant Poet and commented:
Don’t Miss this poem about the one we need to love the most – ELEGY
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Many thanks for that
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You are so welcome, Paul! Always love followers to read great writing like yours! This was such a Great post! And thank you, My Friend for all your visits/views and supporting my blog!!! So appreciated!
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That is a wonderful encouragement.
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Love it 💕👏
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Many thanks Ray 🙂
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Beautiful photo that goes with the lovely elegy for mother earth.
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Appreciate your comment very much.
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My pleasure
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Great stuff, Paul. I thought of this Poetry of the Sacred Prize (re Thomas Merton) when I read it. I think it’s too late this year but you might browse and save the link. Gary https://centerforinterfaithrelations.org/poetry/
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Gary, many thanks for reading and for teh encouragement, I’ll certainly act on that, helpful to know.
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Very gentle, yet moving statement of an urgent and overwhelming problem. You make the problem seem manageable again. Of course, that is necessary to doing anything about it.
Thanks for sharing that.
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Yes, for me negativity will not suffice, we need to encourage change somehow, no matter the frustrations inherent.
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And, thanks for taking time to read and reflect on this, much appreciated.
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Not at all! You make things so thought provoking that it is simply a pleasure to reflect on them.
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Thank you
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This is a powerful photo. It is almost something magical to it. Thank you for sharing!
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Thank you for such a lovely compliment.
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