Understanding the Flautist (Meditation on a Peace Painting)

The woman with the flute

is barefoot. She is black

but her features are white

and the colors on her skirt

clash like a patchwork quilt.

She dances on grass.

The notes from her flute

must be the raindrops beyond

my kitchen. My teachers

said rain brings life,

but that is symbol talk,

for the rain drops outside

gather tangibly into grass

blades to soak my shoes,

and the flautist,

though she is flat

and bordered by

symbols of peace,

need represent no more

than the beauty of dance.

Author: The Bardo Group Beguines

The focus of "The BeZine," a publication of The Bardo Group Beguines, is on sacred space (common ground) as it is expressed through the arts. Our work covers a range of topics: spirituality, life, death, personal experience, culture, current events, history, art, and photography and film. We share work here that is representative of universal human values however differently they might be expressed in our varied religions and cultures. We feel that our art and our Internet-facilitated social connection offer a means to see one another in our simple humanity, as brothers and sisters, and not as “other.” This is a space where we hope you’ll delight in learning how much you have in common with “other” peoples. We hope that your visits here will help you to love (respect) not fear. For more see our Info/Mission Statement Page. View All Posts