I love this time of year when the darkness is brightened by Christmas lights and warm fires. I feel the call to hibernate. To go within and reflect on the year that is coming to a close and begin to set my intentions for the year to come.
All of this is happening a little late for me this year because of the recent passing of my dear niece, Songja Ono, who released her struggle with brain cancer on December 5, 2015. A very bright light in the world went out and a new star was born that day. I will miss her presence in my life.
So given the time of year and the state of my own heart, it feels very fitting to share the poem that came from my Black Madonna painting, She Hears Our Cries. I feel like I transcribed this poem more than I wrote it. I sat quietly with her at the end of the process and asked her if she wanted the pen. Her message is below. I made an audio version for you, too, in case you would like to sit quietly and allow her words to wash over your heart.
I send my love and best wishes for a holiday season full of joy and good times with friends and family. I hope you will remember to take time to breathe and remember that the light that so many celebrate at this time of year lives there inside you. It is who you are. May the beauty of your being be the flame that lights the darkness.
She Hears Our Cries
Listen.
I am crying
as the world is crying.
I am loving
That is my gift.
I hold you all
In my heart.
The more the world cries
The brighter I become,
shedding light on all the dark spaces.
I understand dark spaces
It is who I am
Who we are
And there is deep wisdom
In the dark places.
Look. There.
That shadow holds within it the space for the light.
That shadow shows the light.
Do you understand?
We need not fear the dark places.
We must embrace them,
just as we do the tears
shed by those who cry.
We do not deny the pain that brings the tears
And so we cannot, we must not
Deny the dark that illumines the light.
I was here before the world began.
I will be here always and forever.
Know me.
Know my wisdom and my depths.
And know the light I hold for the world
And for you.
Beauty in the darkness
Color in the night
I will hold your heartaches
I will bring the light.
Look and see me now,
There so deep within
Emerging from the darkness
Let us now begin.
–Tina Greene
Oh! How true these words are. We must not be afraid of the dark but instead; allow our inner light to shine, illuminate and radiate so that peace, beauty and wisdom be gifts to behold. Thank you Tina for your work! Your heart and your art.
Oh Tawni…what a joy it is to see your name pop up here. Your words warm my heart. I can feel your shining light from here! Hope to see you sometime person!!!