Body Cry

She lays on the table face up

Covered only by a thick towel

Skin oiled limb by limb

Legs longer now, hips rotated

Ankles stretched, toes pulled

Breathing deeply through tension

Breathing quietly, peacefully, finally relaxed

Arms and fingers kneaded, wrung

Then the lung points held at the corners

The first and second ribs

Between the shoulder and collar bone

Gently just held there

And the tears come gently rolling

The breath catches

The choice point of opening to it

or closing it down presents itself

keep breathing

open the throat

loosen the jaw

noticing the crying sound

breathing with the crying breath

then the diaphragm compresses

the belly pulls hard then pushes

out old deep tears

the tears of years and years

of hurt beyond words

beyond knowing why or what

the belly pushes out the deep crying sound

the throat closes around it tuning it to keening

and each breath brings it like this for awhile

tears flowing, neck and hair wet behind the ears

points still gently held 

by hands listening to shifting

depths, pulses, receptivity,

refilling of the point

reregulation of qi

after a while keening quieter

breathing smoother, full

exhaling through mouth

then breathing very quietly

tears have stopped

then a palm rests gently

on sternum over heart

and a palm on forehead

dipping down through

into dreaming body time

as magic happens and all shifts

to peace, acceptance, self-empathy

then hands go to feet

then light brushing head to toe

energy clearing

“we’re done for now, take all

the time you need before getting up”

alone now

there is a big stretch

a hug to self

all the time you need

is not here in this room

or in this lifetime

but it’s a nice thought

and it means

no rushing out of this moment

no rushing

just respect and moving forward,

moving on

  

5/26/09