Red

In the face of the unknown, humans have always left their mark: handprints on cave walls, painted suns on rocks, flute solos to the stars. Sometimes words are inadequate for communication. Elements must be transformed. Mineral pigments into paint. Sound into song. Fire into smoke.
— Anita Endrezze, from Throwing Fire at the Sun, Water at the Moon

 

 Red sees us seeing
wavelengthening
the vibrating heart

blackening stone

fear wavering
sharpened tension 

ignites desire
congealing fire
staining shadow

 
a fine willing cry
wonder of blue sky

how many passed

this way before
now
after
blood spilled
spilling still

Photos:  Autumn 2023, a Cascades tributary to the Deschutes River flowing north to the Columbia River then to the Pacific, finding peace.
To honor in this one world the peoples bloodied, bound and displaced by the machines of war, then and now. May they also find peace.