anima mundi

'soul of the world'

forsaken feelings, unearthen— 
molten. 
waked and woken—
out at the edges of us 

darkness speaks its own name
so we can feel our lives
in songs, it ripples—
in thrills we coalesce where we belong

beyond comfort, beyond limits, above hidden
we start to inhabit ourselves to come alive  
soothing in the balm of friendship 
falling upwards— up and into one other 

seen, encouraged, felt 
two conduits ablaze as rainbows arrest 
on a mixed day— encouraged, and now inspired 
the first one gives life to the second 

like the nice things we haze and say to one other 
gestures ignite as catalyst  
as waves, in service of unknown ends 
guided by the edge of the roof of the world

anima mundi— one soul
of you, 

     in me

Above was the lovely second rainbow of two I saw the other day. The first one, of which there is no photo, was a stunner— more dramatic, ablaze against a cloudy sky. I equate bows with truth and courage but I could be making that up.

Besides the rainbows in the poem, there was another shoreline scene that got me at the weekend.

I only noticed later that the first photo above looked like a black and white filter on the skyline but black, white and grey is how it actually was in reality, stark with haze. It was only a second photo showing the edging of the strand that introduced colour. The contrast and thresholds fascinated me.  

I was listening to a podcast by Eckhart Tolle recently and he mentioned this idea of Anima Mundi ('soul of the world') (you can find it here)  I’m not sure I’ve fully incorporated this concept in this piece but it's as easy to say it inspired it.  

I feel - in me and in others - that we don't fully inhabit ourselves. There’s lots of sane, self-protective reasons for this life-skimming of sorts. Feeling one’s feelings can bring on an inner war best left to itself. Things left unfelt, unsaid is a great Irish tradition, for all our connection and conversation, it’s true that this disconnect is part of our intergenerational legacy and culture. I’m sure other countries have this too. 

But change is in the air. A gentle - not so quiet anymore -  revolution is happening. Lots of encouragement these days in mindfulness, meditation, alternative healing and psychotherapy asking us to take on the hard stuff, the unexpressed, the understanding of the dark parts of ourselves. And others. 

I see authenticity and notice growth happens at the edges of things where perhaps we are pushed beyond safe, maybe beyond ourselves at times. 

I was also reminded this last week of the great balm of friendship, it's a central influence in my life, it encourages me to go the hard yards. I simply couldn't live without it.  

Thanks for reading, let me know what you think about the poem or any thoughts on the ‘edges of ourselves’ or the connection with others or even ‘Anima Mundi’. 

Some tracks below to go with the words... 

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I also wanted to share some pieces from fellows writers I've met via Substack … there’s way too many to include but I’ll start here:

A really lovely poem and set up beautifully by Fotini who hails from Greece. I’m not sure I can ever get over her writing so well in a language that isn't her native tongue. Amazing. I always love her interesting angles and the flow and purity in her writing.

We don’t get to choose our names

An amazing trip around Sandymount Strand in Dublin by a local Dublin poet/writer, David Donoghue. David was the first Irish writer I connected with on Substack all those months ago. This is a slightly longer post of his - it actually blows my mind - the descriptions are divine and there’s a great audio read included if you prefer to take it in like that.

On The Way Home

I so enjoy Duane’s work, he’s both a talented collage artist and really thought provoking writer. Cursed and blessed with both! Here’s a sample of his wonderful work.

the irreversibility

Here’s Tom’s 20 second poem which I enjoyed. I really like Tom’s bold flash fiction in his short pieces which I’ve only just discovered.

flint/love.

I’ve only recently discovered Jonathan’s work and simply love the way he writes. Here’s a sample piece, a flavour of the layers and levels he explores. His work is really impressive, so much to enjoy. Take a look.

Dragging Stones Toward The Sun

Almost there. I love Anagha’s smooth, silken writing. Here’s a sample;

poem from the road

And finally here’s some prose from ‘The Rewind’ who never fails to write raw and from the heart, achingly beautiful.

Sleepwalking Amongst The Grace.

Below are tunes for the words, some encouragement for the road.

That's all I got for now.