A Feather Floating

Strewn on the water,
rose petals from my garden
dried and saved all year,
make a shifting shape;
a poem of gratitude.

I invoke the Directions
and sing Dona Nobis Pacem
to Michi and La Vieja*,
then slip carefully
into her silent waters.

She holds me as if
I am a feather floating.
I give thanks on behalf of us all.
For all of us, I surrender myself.
For all the world, I pray.

As I lie safe on the waters,
the mountains seem so near.
Green presences, beneficent,
eminent, at hand;
speaking slow in my heart.

A shape like an elephant’s head
looks to be a green Ganesha
laughing at my obstacles.
Telling me to do the same.
Telling me that all is well.

My life so bountiful,
what can I do but sing.
This place so beautiful,
what can I do but pray
for every single being.

©Susa Silvermarie 2025
*The Lake Chapala Goddess is known as both the maiden, MichiCihualli, and the crone, La Vieja Machis.