The Power of Love

Aphrodite

Sun breaks the eastern horizon

and finds her there, slumbering on shore,

a newly formed woman dreaming

a world of love.

She hears the surf pounding

but she does not know what has called

her to this place. Where are the eel,

the dolphin, the seahorse?

The salty water washes from her

the membrane of new life and she feels

the pleasure of want for the first time.

What is love?

This hard ground presses against her;

as scales and fins fall away, sand blows

across her nascent face sculpting beauty,

faith that being woman will be enough.

Vestiges of Beltane

Vestiges of Beltane shone brightly over the southwest corner of Michigan—the fruit belt where my family and I live—last weekend. Nobody danced around a maypole, or, as far as I know, frolicked in fertile fields, but songs were sung, prayers sent heavenward for a bountiful harvest, and kings and queens of high school age joyfully exchanged branches loaded with apple blossoms.

We were celebrating the beginning of Blossomtime Festival with the Blessing of the Blossoms, following a tradition begun in 1906. The associate pastor offered prayers and brought a homily suggesting that it is important to bring joy and happiness to others. No Beltane fire was lit, but I was reminded that, like so many Christian-oriented ceremonies, this ritual has pagan roots.

I am happy that these lovely young women wearing crowns and pastel dresses, teetering in high heels over mole mounds in the grass, are carrying ribbon-bedecked sprigs of apple blossoms. That the kings in crowns, suits and ties are wearing smiles when, as part of the ritual, they exchange apple blossoms with their queens.

A soloist belts out “God Bless America,” and I am happy that music is floating on the fresh spring air.

This, for me, is an affirmation that Earth is vital to our well-being. The sweet scent of apple blossoms offers only a hint of the joys, Goddess willing, our taste buds will savor on Sabbats to come. I’m already anticipating Summer Solstice, Lammas and Fall Equinox which will bring luscious peaches, blueberries, apples and grapes.

Yet, I know our Earth is in jeopardy. Global warming curses us with extreme weather that will jeopardize agriculture worldwide in ways beyond imagining.

It’s why I choose Aphrodite to honor Beltane this year. What the world needs now is lots and lots of love. The eminent scientist Edward O. Wilson, author of Half-Earth: Our Planet’s Fight for Life,says if the human race isn’t suicidal, and if we act decisively, we can protect our world.

The question: Do we love ourselves enough to take care of Earth, our home?