The Human Condition with Susan Marie

look how it twists and turns

"look how it twists and turns" look at how it twists and turns the bend, the ridge, in nature - like your words, sharp, razorlike, sharks’ teeth in my skin that you once held lovingly tenderly that you once held you did hold me in your heart and kept me there safe as I did you in purity and bliss like nature how she holds dear each season each delicate leaf as it falls from her womb to an early death beauteous wondrous full of color devoid of life like you struggling to maintain some semblances of control over your own ego like waves crashing we met a breath of fresh air you said earnestly empathically our souls met and danced like lovers past lives volcanic we were are exactly that and you cannot remember nor care to it seems rather focus on yourself needs wants desires and cast out those who you see as beneath who are truly above and like each delicate rush of seasons the ones who refuse to leave when new ones enter your insecurity roars like a lion my energy is erratic due to your lack of integrity honesty authenticity maturity and trauma Oh, your poor, sad unhealed inner child . . . and on that bend with the twists and turns where we met again in this life now you have chosen to follow the curves and winding roads of confusion darkness toxicity where you feel most comfortable scared to move change grow be something other than those that accept this mask you wear claiming to be someone I know I recognized that was our purpose that is the message that is the bond eternal, unfortunately and you chose to break that by judging me this innocent this beautiful creature set before you that you did not deserve in this lifetime and in most likely the last and I thank you my lessons I have long learned struggled pained fought and bled for you criticized like a microscope holding your own imperfect lens to my majestic growth you failed to open your eyes although I witnessed them working just fine you are your own eternal damnation your worst curse and I believe somewhere deep within the mask you so proudly wear there is a mirror reflecting all the souls of those before you ones you hurt lied to shamed judged criticized discriminated against and threw right under the bus and one day soon hopefully right now you feel my wrath out of love always out of love although you deserve none of mine not anymore and are blinded profusely by that mirror and fall onto your knees in humble grace before the setting sun before the rising dawn in the sand and snow grains, dirt, and earth with feet muddied, bleeding and bare until the crevices of mountains you so adore begin to bite you back as you have so bitten others and when mountains crumble and quake beneath your feet unsettled may you feel within your chest a thousand thrushes waiting to be set free and in this moment may you hear my voice see my face feel the softness of my skin hear my laughter and the brightness in my eyes that you so dimmed after creating and when you place your feet upon that foothold of life may you hope by then I have wished upon you peace. © Susan Marie

#37 The Human Condition with Susan Marie (What Is Consciousness?)

The Human Condition is an audio series featuring me, you and a conversation about everyday experiences, made simple. The human condition is defined as "the characteristics, key events, and situations which compose the essentials of human existence, such as birth, growth, emotionality, aspiration, conflict, and mortality". Episode #37 talks about three states of consciousness, resiliency, self-efficacy, meta-cognition, and variances between man and animal and the mind/body connection. References: Adams, W. (2010-2018). Creativity and Consciousness. Retrieved from: http://www.rosejourn.com/index.php/rose/article/view/187 Bandura, A. (1994). Self-efficacy. Retrieved from: https://www.uky.edu/~eushe2/Bandura/BanEncy.html Campbell, J., Moyers, B. (1991). The Power of Myth. (pp. 285, 286). Print. Chick, N. (2018). Metacognition. Retrieved from: https://cft.vanderbilt.edu/guides-sub-pages/metacognition/ Coombs, Chelsey, (2015). Do animals have consciousness? Retrieved from: http://scienceline.org/2015/03/do-animals-have-consciousness/ Dalai Lama. (2006). Living Wisdom. Introduction. Print. Jung, C. (1971). The Portable Jung. (pp. 87). Print. Koch, C. (2018) What Is Consciousness? Retrieved from: https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/what-is-consciousness/ Mehta, N., Ph.D. (2011). Mind-body Dualism: A Critique from a Health Perspective. Retrieved from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3115289 Schumacher, M. (2018). What is Consciousness? Retrieved from: https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/what-is-consciousness/ Soul, Body, Yoga. (2011). The Meaning of “AUM”. Retrieved from: http://www.soulbodyyoga.com/sby-blog-mobile/item/the-meaning-of-aum Weinberg, J. (2018). Mind-Body Connection: Understanding the Psycho-Emotional Roots of Disease. Retrieved from: https://chopra.com/articles/mind-body-connection-understanding-the-psycho-emotional-roots-of-disease Whitman, Walt. (1983). Song of Myself. Leaves of Grass. Print.

#36 The Human Condition with Susan Marie (Self-Care, Breath Manipulation, Stress, Trauma)

The Human Condition is an audio series featuring me, you and a conversation about everyday experiences, made simple. The human condition is defined as "the characteristics, key events, and situations which compose the essentials of human existence, such as birth, growth, emotionality, aspiration, conflict, and mortality". Episode #36 talks about the stress response, trauma, the nervous system, self-care, building resilience, calming strategies, mindfulness, emotional intelligence, and how to realistically manage self-care habits. References: Resilience and Self Care Basics by Dr. Sam Himelstein: https://courses.centerforadolescentstudies.com/course/resilience-and-self-care-basics-for-helping-professionals/ Tupac Shakur: The Rose That Grew From Concrete: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/151809.The_Rose_That_Grew_from_Concrete Dave Pelzer: A Child Called “It”: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/60748.A_Child_Called_It Deep Breathing Relaxation Videos: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FV4n555lQ3o https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vca6DyFqt4c https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wemm-i6XHr8 On iTunes, Soundcloud, Amazon Music and Audible. Peace, Sue

ravensong

a threshold, she stood, feet, bare, body clad, in white cotton raiment swirling about her ankles, as the wind sang like a lute, upon the still night sky. a woman's song carried upon the breeze, playing with the edges of light and dark, night and day, the precious time, between dusk and nightfall. her ravensong burst forth from mouth, wide open in awe, chin upturned, jawbone outlined, tears precious gifted in humble grace, against the light of the coming of fresh eve. the lyrics danced around her shoulders, tickling them just so - tussling hair, three feet long - burnt sienna skied tresses. a dreamcatcher she was, weaving lives within lives, connecting the dots, with her fingertip raised pointed at stars, moving them across Father Sky - to meld into one another - just like lovers. this is her solace - the ancient firmament where Gods and Goddesses exist, eternal, where celestial wars rage, she pulls both arms outward with heart, full - like some majestic holy crucifixion and met the maelstrom head on - for this is all she knows. - forward - and she jumps happily, into this rebirth, this knowing and unknowing, learning and unlearning, growing and dying, smiling while screaming inside - to lead not only herself but others - into the great abyss, the infinite chasm, the unknown universe, the holy grail, the swan songs of birds, the most precious calling to the wild souls of nature, beyond all that is. a threshold, she stood feet, bare, body clad, in white cotton raiment swirling about her ankles as the wind sang like a lute upon the still night sky. Words & Audio © Susan Marie Artwork © Cate Parr https://www.pinterest.com/cateparr/

On the Backs of Beasts

Poetry and Spoken Word by me. I have missed writing, taking a break from my podcast to be creative.