What Lies Beyond, Part Thirty Three

This Is Not A Dream

Joan Ann Lansberry

January 2, 2000

In Whispered Dreams In whispered dreams I am reborn anew each night, down imagined paths. It was always here, in places you could not touch, that my dream soul knew its release. But now it has awakened. I am no longer a floating phantom, I have substance. You can touch me. I am real. This is not a dream. JAL, 1-2-00

 

February 12, 2000
Joyous Jewels

It's rock show time again in Tucson! I came home with quite a few treasures, some only in pictures to remember, and a few to hold in hand. The following red beauty attracted everyone's eye. Laura asked me after we left, "Did you get a photo of the big red rock?" It was possibly a foot and a half wide (45cm).

rhodochrosite with fluorite, quartz and tetrahedrite,
Graham's Pocket, Fluorite Raise Sweet Home Mine, Alma, Colorado

This one was just about the size of a scoop of lime and vanilla sherbet. It sure looked 'tasty'.

Dolomite after calcite with mottramite,
Tsumeb mine, Tsumeb, Nigeria

One display had such a cluster of people in front of it, I wondered what it could hold. "Ah ha-a-a!", once they'd finally left.

Quartz, and yes, about one foot (30cm) of rock-hardness!

The first three minerals I've shown were as they came from nature, with no human alterations. But many displays featured crystals adapted into such artistic creations as diamond tiaras, vases carved of clear quartz and camels encrusted with jewels:

not certain, this may be from the Smithsonian Institute

Another captivating display featured mosaics, pictures made of mineral, marble and glass:

By Greek artists Pelly Angelopoulou and Lydia Sarri,
via the Greek Association of Mineral and Fossil Collectors

Last year's rock show has also been pixelated, should you wish to see those beauties.

February 13, 2000
Transparent Tree

All those tangible jewels I've seen recently are beautiful, but there's far greater treasures I hold. I found this poem in Rumi's THE GLANCE: Song of Soul - Meeting. As the liner notes say '' 'The Glance,' this mystical experience that occurs in the meeting of the eyes between the lover and beloved, parent and child, friend and soul-mate, taps a major, yet little explored theme in Rumi's poetry.'' It is this meeting of the eyes, that gives me a window into the inner most being of the ones I love, this is my greatest treasure. It, too, is in THE TOUCH, as well as 'The Glance', this sense of connection that makes me not ''an island universe''. It is in any true meeting of minds and hearts.

I am so fortunate to have those with I've shared what is longer than a glance. I'm grateful for the laughter I've shared with friends. The laughter is good, and so are hugs. I cherish the hours spent with friends. And I well up with delight to see the brightness of Julia's eyes, when she's happy. Laura and I have gazed long in each other's eyes, swimming deep into each other's depths. There's an infinity there on such intersections.

Transparent Tree I've traded my soul for the universe. Don't speak. The jeweller who thought he was buying gold to work with now owns the mine! But commerce metaphors are wrong. What has happened in me is more profound, like a fish under- water beginning to say words! A transparent tree grows in the night-sky orchard where I have found a little corner to be in, as when two planets intersect. I have found Shams. Rumi,        translated by Coleman Barks

©JAL