we gather in a circle
under an oak tree
surrounded by the magic that is
high valley

elizabeth begins the circle
we sing our names to one another
and sing each name back three times
the vibration is set…we chant a ‘ma’

we begin to find each other
as the chants begin
call and response, harmony emerges
other improvised nuances, behind the groove

elizabeth shares a new chant that she wrote
and we begin singing it together

my roots go down/down to the dark of the earth
my branches rise/rise to the light of the sky
here in my heart/all the mysteries meet
i am the lover and i am the beloved

as the chant builds, the drumming intensifies
each of us recognizing one another–and ourselves
as lover and beloved
that realization or affirmation becomes jubilant
we are dancing…holding hands….seeing each other

i am the lover…and i am the beloved