Each evening at Oracle 2022, our leaders gathering held in Potosi, Missouri, we gathered around “Grandfather Fire” to offer gifts of poetry, story, drumming, movement, and song. The following was offered by Illuman NorCal Convener Joe Gabaeff.

falling in front of us
by Joe Gabaeff

I came out into the rain
to get some peace.

The chaos is so soothing.
So much chaos to comprehend
we don’t try.
I watch it contently fall
as if there is no other place
it would rather be.

Reunited and singing
all the way down, with so many siblings
flooding in behind.
More movement than I can understand.
It would take a lifetime
to understand one second.

There is peace in letting go of trying
to understand it All-
falling in front of us freely.

I came outside to stop trying.
And be.