the joining.
we arrive in a trickle,
growing to a stream,
becoming a river.
that first day begins,
when we find our rhythm in working
and building together,
bringing our selves,
our own rhythms,
into this connection,

that we may find the rhythm of the village,
and from there, the rhythm of the rituals.

we are here in co-creation with each other.
wondering how our own dance will blend
and shimmer with everyone else,
we look at each other across the floor,
in wonder at the beauty and strangeness
of those who are also here.
brief flashes of questioning and insecurity
that get dissolved in the welling
of hugs and greetings.
welcome home.

there’s not a word yet,
for old friends who’ve just met.
in this space of meeting and recognition,
we approach each other reveling
in mutual respect for all beings
and our paths to the dance.
we are here.
breathing.
present.
open,
to ourselves and other selves,
that we may find ourselves
by what we give ourselves permission to be.
to do.
to feel.

i first came to the dance with trepidation
and some small fear.
the chorus of “what ifs” rang loud in my head.
will these people like me?
will i like them? what if i’m too ___ ?

i remind myself, fear is my friend.
with fear comes awareness.
with awareness comes knowledge.
with knowledge comes ease.
with ease comes connection.

i remind myself, i am whole
and complete unto myself.
i share love freely given and freely received.
i come to the dance in glee and celebration.

i walk in delight for the beauty of us all,
in the full range of self that we become
when we dance together.

there is grand conversation to be had
between minds, bodies, and spirits.
each of us comes to the dance with so much,
and over the years/days/moments
we spend together, thoughts are shared,
stories told, memories created.
and always, the dance.

i remind myself, this is a perfect moment.
and this is a perfect moment.
and this is a perfect moment.
endless into the sphere of time we dance

and touch mind, bodies, spirits,
learning with each step, each turn,
being and becoming more present
with every breath.

this is the dance for me.
to rest easily in my body,
and honor the divine in all beings.
to be aware of my self, my body, spirit
flowing through me in motion,
and sharing that motion with others
in their bodies, in their dances, their selves,
their spirits.

it is such work, this dance,
the stretching of body and self,
the opening of doors known and unknown,
here in this web we have chosen
to weave together. such work, and such bliss.
clearly, this is part of our revolution.

— by joi wolfwomyn