Harp at the Hospital

This last Thursday I played at the hospital again and it just gets more rewarding. In additiona to playing the usual wards and rounds that I play, I had an invitation from one of the recreational therapists on the locked mental health unit to play for one of their groups.
It was a most memorable occasion--the patients were open and responsive to the music, the recreational therapists supportive, and I felt that I was helping with therapy again.
I do not regret retiring from the unit, but I have missed working with the staff and I felt that I had come back home in a way.
Looking forward to more groups and seeing how we can have music be part of the healing process with this population who have so many struggles.

Happy Beltane and May Day

A wonderful poem for today that I found on the Stonewylde website, and it was written by Claire who runs the Where the Wild Roses Grow website (http://www.wherethewildrosesgrow.co.uk/). Her shop is a delight to visit, be sure to check out the Green Man Torc Bangle-- I WANT ONE!
I hesitated posting this poem until I received permission from Claire, but I feel it's right to post today and apologize later as need be.

We Gather The May …..

I sleep in the Whitewood in the dark of the year

With snow for a pillow and ice as my bier

And I dream of my Lord who sleeps with the dead

And waits for my touch when the darkness has fled

I sleep in the Whitewood with the dark and the dead

With frost as my blanket and snow for a bed 

And I dream of my Queen who will raise me each year

At the turn of the earth  from my wintery bier

I stir in the Greenwood at the turn of the earth

I unfurl from the dark as the light gives me birth

I reach to the sun and blossom the bough

Mosses and ferns are my coverings now

I stir in the Greenwood at the touch of her hand

Hear her whispers in breezes see her smile on the land

She showers her promise in soft petals of thorn

And here again once again, new, I am born

We dance in the Greenwood all crown-ed in Leaves

And we bind us anew with the garlands we weave

We spin through the forest by night and by day

And here in the Wildwood we gather the May

We dance in the Greenwood all garlanded green

And bind fast our bright hearts I and my Queen

And here in the Wildwood as we gather the May

Dark becomes Light as Night becomes Day

Then, as in mosses and ferns we lay us to rest

I gather him close to the warmth of my breast

And in showers of petals from the Oak Ash and Thorn

Once again here again the Light is re-born.

May the day bring you Joy and Delight...no matter what the weather!