Darlene Witte

Darlene Witte

Professor of Education, (retired) at Johnson State College in Vermont leads the Green Mountain Writers' Poetry & Performance workshop that meets on Zoom each month on the 1st and 3rd Tuesdays at 7 PM ET. Find out more at https://www.meetup.com/green-mountain-writers

In the Egyptian Room

The beautiful priestess lingers, her eyes open,hands closed. In the quiet I move toward her, probing the shimmerthat rests in the ancient air,that touches her comb,her amulet, her pot. These ordinary attachments,I know as she knew them,just for a breath.…

Demeter In Her Sorrow…

At the time of harvest, the time of feastingwhen the brightest stars shone and the air was clean, most clear Demeter turned to her beloved daughter, Persephone.“Come,” she said, “Let us sit down together, let us laugh and enjoy our…

Cradle Gifts

I rememberwhen you slept in your cradle. I sang to you.The sound of forever was in my throat, a sweet-silver flow. I remember how your rose petal hand patted my shoulder as I carried you.Many days, then, lay ahead for…

Beauty of Origin

watching me, eyes bring black, gleamingCrow read my inner shadows I begged her for help. . . Crow came, intent, fearless. Gentleinto that passagewhere I had first tasted of life, my mother’s milk,and with my first breathhad heard the old…

Basho Comes With Lilies on His Feet

With lilies on hisfeet Basho comes through the greenspringtime I see him walkI see how the lilies move with him his hands fill with dew the Cloud of Unknowingrises ’round, walks with him, within him he sees me, I follow…

An Invitation, Waiting

Friend and companion of my mindsuch laughter sprang up between usfrom the heart of happinesswas released a confluencea flood that arose so freshso sudden in that middle river we joined surprised us bothbut swept us away from each other: It…

Winter’s Hope Mist

I first made this on a cold day in March. It was a day when everyone seemed to be feeling the effects of just getting through from one day to the next. The spritz helped to lighten our low mood…

Spring Appears! Mist

At the very beginning of spring, this tincture was like a reward for endurance and it felt like time to begin planning for the next garden in a few more weeks. Combine:Rose tincture 2 cupsEssential Oils (8 drops each)LemonSweet OrangePeppermint…

Heart of Winter Mist

I make bottles of this for holiday gifts. They are gladly received because of their soothing effect. Spray a little into the air and wait a minute while it disperses. It seems to evoke feelings of hope and warmth. Combine:Rose…