Poetry from Claire Sylvan’s book Turnings

Stillness and Dance

Along the ridge there are places bare of soil,
Bedrock, bones of mother earth.
When I lay there, her heart stirs mine and we are one.

I am rock, deep to my molten centre.
Wind caresses me, sun warms me,
I am ancient and still.
I have always been here, I will forever remain.

Below, the river moves sandy banks,
Dances around rocks.
I enter her smoothness, bend and mould with her.
As we weave, changer and ever changing,
Shaped by rock and earth,
I am river, playful, drifting, raging, free.

I am both rock and river, and air that moves between,
And fiery sun that fuels this spinning dance. I am home.

About Claire Sylvan

Born within earshot of the Atlantic, on the rugged westernmost coast of Cornwall, England, Claire has a deep affinity for rocks, water, and sacred places on earth.

Claire has lived, worked, and raised a family in Haliburton County amidst good kind friends for 35 years and 8 years in friendly Almonte. She and her partner, Bev, are known as “the Grannies” to an ever increasing population of wondrous children.