Lifting the Veil I stand in a forest, a dense gray cloud over my shoulder, a bridge before me, a light at the opposite end. The light transforms from steady yellow to red, blue, green flashing, morphs into a human form. I want to cross, yet each time I step onto it, the bridge buckles. At one point it collapses. I dangle. Over and over, my mind rebuilds the short wooden span perched over a roiling river that I am determined to cross. The indigo shape walks toward me, knowing I’m afraid the bridge will collapse again. We meet halfway. It lifts me. Like bride and groom we laughingly move toward the other side. Before stepping off together, our minds connect. I say, I have to finish this journey on my own. I did. The bridge held. My friend greeted me as I reached the other side. It has been a constant companion, a shining body. Sometimes I’m happy, sometimes not, but always the light is with me and always I am free. I Dream of Pyramids Tombs that open to reveal dusty riches, cobwebs of civilizations I can never know, diamonds mined just for me. When I look into clouds I see faces that frighten with their grand size and smooth placid demeanors. I am used to eagle talons and frizzled tresses. The birds have whispered legends to me. I know now I should have listened. I dream of treasures as I swim beneath blue oceans where I am the only fish buried then revived, the red clay still clumped to my locks but only those looking can tell I can breathe underwater. I am a resurrection, a reflection of past memories, an amnesiac chased across millennia, running from my own stories. When I stop catch my breath, still my palpitating heart, I hear an unrecognizable voice saying things I cannot, will not, dare not decipher or the ignorance which has kept me safe will explode revealing a universe filled with galaxies starred by truths that open my eyes, cure my deafness, bring my voice to life.
Ruth Farmer is a poet, essayist, and fiction writer. Ruth’s prose and poetry appear in various publications, including her blog, ruthfarmer.com. Her most recent book is a collection of poems, Snapshots of the Wind (Rolling Moon Press, 2022). Ruth lives in Bristol, Vermont.
Guest Editor Caryn Mirriam-Goldberg, the 2009-13 Kansas Poet Laureate is the author of 24 books, including How Time Moves: New & Selected Poems; Miriam’s Well, a novel; and The Sky Begins At Your Feet: A Memoir on Cancer, Community, and Coming Home to the Body. Founder of Transformative Language Arts, she is offers writing workshops, coaching, and collaborative projects YourRightLivelihood.com with Kathryn Lorenzen, Bravevoice.com with Kelley Hunt, and TheArtofFacilitation.net with Joy Roulier Sawyer. CarynMirriamGoldberg.com.
The Coop: A Poetry Cooperative 