Reiki Room

In a room hushed by closed 

drapes and shoeless saints, 

waterfall sounds emanate from a small player.  

Women were in this space.  

Strong, healing women.

I lay still on the table with closed eyes,

sheltered under a fuzzy blanket

and the weight of job and age and change.

Women closed in around me.

Strong, healing women.

The master’s warm hand hovered

over my lined and tired face.

Another encased an arm.

Reiki energy coursing through

Strong, healing women.

And when the warm hands moved

to cradle by face and jaw and leg

they came to me - one by one.

Women gone from my life.

Strong, healing women.

First came Ma of course, strong.

Then came her mother, joy.

My father’s mother, an immigrant, brave.

My mother-in-law, intellect.

So many strong, healing women.

Others joined them.  Others whom I have known

Petite Ellen, sweetness.

Petey with her determination.

Mildred, faithfulness.

My beautiful niece, independence.

Racing from energy beyond

through these two women

into my body, mind, and soul, 

giving of themselves to make me

a strong, healed woman.