If you had asked me three years ago what this whole Bard thing was about, I would have told you that I'd be on the road, sharing my stories and my music with folks. I believed that it would be a wonderful way to make a living ... doing something that I loved. Well, that is certainly part of this path. But there is so much more. Turns out, this path is far less about me and my Muse and my stories and my singing, and far more about you and your stories and making every opportunity to LISTEN to you. And, oh, the stories that I hear. You tell me about your joy and your sorrow, you children and your parents, your families and your communities, your love and your fury, your dogs and your ferrets, your cats and your pet racoons, your gardens, your passions, your depression, your faith and your doubt. And I am learning to slow down and listen ... because your stories are the most important part of this path.
I don't know how others walk (or run with scissors) down a Bardic trail. I only know what is happening on my own. And this is not about me ... who knew? Right? I think I'm learning to listen and to craft stories and music that connect one heart to another, one family to another, one community to another. And that is only possible when I pay attention to everyone - not just my own inner voice. Perhaps three years from now, I'll have a different take on this. At the moment, I'm listening ... listening HARD.
And when I'm in a hurry (like I often am when setting up or tearing down gear or camp) and you walk up to me to share your story with me, you might see me shift from hurry-up-edness to impatience to a redirection of focus to full eye contact ... and it might take a moment or two or more. But I have this voice in my head now that often speaks, "Pay attention ... this moment ... this story is important enough for this person to share it with you. Give this person your full attention." Please be patient with this Bard ... I'm still learning. And I am LISTENING.
And on a side note ... if you share your story with me, I may write that song, but I will not betray your confidence. Unless you do something really crazy at a festival for everyone to see ... then I will probably write that song and put your name in the title!
Well, I'm just home from GreenSong Grove Beltane Festival in St. Petersburg, Florida, where I was most honored to sing for a lovely Beltane and Handfasting ritual. Last week, this sweet handfasting song came through, and the lovely couple and those presenting the ritual asked me to sing it. Here are the words (hope to video and post in the near future):
The Binding Wood
Written at Hawkfest GA, Dragonhills 4/2015
© G. LaMonte
Strike the corners - Call the quarters
Unfurl your banners - And peace-tie your blades
Lord and Lady - Ancient Grove
Silent Witness - To promises made
And into the binding wood we shall go
Blessings of sky and blessings of stone
Blessings of dew and the flame as it grows
And into the binding wood we shall go
Eye to eye - Sacred round
Outside time - Unbound by space
Hand to hand - We share this joy
With friend and forest - And Goddess’ grace
And into the binding wood we shall go
Blessings of sky and blessings of stone
Blessings of dew and the flame as it grows
And into the binding wood we shall go
Hand in hand - My heart to yours
Love will bind us - Forever and a day
Kiss and embrace - As Lady and Lord
I’ll be your chalice - You be my blade
And into the binding wood we shall go
Blessings of sky and blessings of stone
Blessings of dew and the flame as it grows
And into the binding wood we shall go
I'm already repacking my truck for my journey to Pinson, Tennessee! I'll be on the road for 11 weeks. So excited to get back on the road.
If you see me, please stop me, slow me down, tell me your story. I'm listening.
Have a beautiful week ahead, and go do something you love!
Gina
