Now Empty She Is Free

source: Anon

source: Anon

She packed unresolved conflicts in her body. The tribal issues stuffed into her hips. Heartbreaks holding fast in the constrained beating of her heart. Unrecognized visions, blurring her ability to see things clearly in the moment. Hurt and insecurities hide out, claiming stake in her joints. Blessed relief comes from unconditional self-love granting freedom, releasing the harness of what was. Formerly stuck pieces dislodge, shake free, flow out with the exhale, leaving room for the expansive inhale. She heard her own whispers of encouragement, "Now empty, you are free.”

Tricia Schwaba, 2019

Subterranean Homesick Blues

Bob Dylan

Johnny's in the basement
Mixing up the medicine
I'm on the pavement
Thinking about the government
The man in the trench coat
Badge out, laid off
Says he's got a bad cough
Wants to get it paid off
Look out kid
It's somethin' you did
God knows when
But you're doing it again
You better duck down the alley way
Lookin' for a new friend
A man in the coonskin cap, in the pig pen
Wants eleven dollar bills, you only got ten

Maggie comes fleet foot
Face full of black soot
Talkin' that the heat put
Plants in the bed but
The phone's tapped anyway
Maggie says that many say
They must bust in early May
Orders from the D.A. Look out kid
Don't matter what you did
Walk on your tip toes
Don't tie no bows
Better stay away from those
That carry around a fire hose
Keep a clean nose
Watch the plain clothes
You don't need a weather man
To know which way the wind blows

Oh, get sick, get well
Hang around a ink well
Hang bail, hard to tell
If anything is goin' to sell
Try hard, get barred
Get back, write braille
Get jailed, jump bail
Join the army, if you fail
Look out kid
You're gonna get hit
But losers, cheaters
Six-time users
Hang around the theaters
Girl by the whirlpool
Lookin' for a new fool
Don't follow leaders, watch the parkin' meters

Oh, get born, keep warm
Short pants, romance
Learn to dance, get dressed, get blessed
Try to be a success
Please her, please him, buy gifts
Don't steal, don't lift
Twenty years of schoolin'
And they put you on the day shift
Look out kid
They keep it all hid
Better jump down a manhole
Light yourself a candle
Don't wear sandals
Try to avoid the scandals
Don't want to be a bum
You better chew gum
The pump don't work
'Cause the vandals took the handles

Source: LyricFind

Songwriters: Bob Dylan

Subterranean Homesick Blues lyrics © Bob Dylan Music Co.

Bring Out Your Voice

Artwork source unknown

Artwork source unknown

Bring out your voice

We have no choice

We can manifest change

Rid the world of the deranged

Don’t be the one to cower

Take cover when it starts to shower

Be the one soaked to the bone

Whose stamina stands alone. 

The wind howls, the branches creak

This world it seems, is not for the meek

In times like these might’s in demand

No choice but for you to take a stand.

And She Soars          

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See the beauty as you move ahead

This journey of life will keep you fed

The relationship with you, yourself 

The years gone by, the things you’ve felt.

Those unsteady steps from where you began 

Now grounded, balanced, firm where you stand

You uncover the grace that resides within

Understanding that we all, continually begin

Again and again you’ll soar and you’ll glide 

Enjoying this crazy mysterious ride.

Tricia Schwaba 2019




Mysteries, Yes by Mary Oliver, closing yoga reflection December 27

Judy White/GardenPhotos.com

Judy White/GardenPhotos.com

Today we live with mysteries too marvelous to be understood.
How grass can be nourishing in the mouths of lambs.

How rivers and stones are forever in allegiance with gravity
while we ourselves dream of rising.

How two hands touch and the bonds will never be broken.

How people come from delight or the scars of damage, to the comfort of a poem.

Let me keep my distance, always, from
those who think they have the answers.

Let me keep company always with those
who say “Look!” and laugh in astonishment, and bow their heads.

Ruby Bridges Quote

Ruby was the first child to de-segregate schools in 1960’s New Orleans.

“Ultimately we want to be a part of a movement that’s about measuring impact that the world will really change. My dream is we’ll have a world one day where we don’t just honor those who take money and make more money from it but we find those individuals who take our resources and convert it into changing the world in the positive ways and it’s only when we honor them and celebrate them and give them status that the world will really change.”

Ruby Bridges standing in front of a Norman Rockwell painting about the day she de-segregated New Orleans schools.

Ruby Bridges standing in front of a Norman Rockwell painting about the day she de-segregated New Orleans schools.