For Mama Donna Henes, Urban Shaman
By Karen Ethelsdattir

Where has all the darkness gone?

What Maestro Dylan Thomas called “the close & holy dark?”

The midnight hour & the hours before & after?

Where can we go to see a starry sky,

the pearls of the Milky Way,

the glittering constellations

set off by darkest night?

Our whole civilization conspires

to show us everything in the glaring light—

the street lights, the store signs,

the porch lights, the driveways, the highways,

the headlights.

Where has the mystery of night gone?

I adopted a black mother cat once,

& named her Mystery a.k.a. Ms. Tree.

Wisely, she fled from civilization.

If I knew how, I would too,

I would too. 

 

Thank you, Queen Ethel, for the dedication. I am honored. 

* ***
Donna Henes is the author of The Queen of My Self: Stepping into Sovereignty in Midlife. She offers counseling and upbeat, practical and ceremonial guidance for individual women and groups who want to enjoy the fruits of an enriching, influential, purposeful, passionate, and powerful maturity. Consult the MIDLIFE MIDWIFE™

The Queen welcomes questions concerning all issues of interest to women in their mature years. Send your inquiries to thequeenofmyself@aol.com.