Ripening Prayers

Amidst a season full of a steady rest, though time passing quickly, Raine shared this sweet poem with me. Every time I revisited these humble words, it resonated deeper. What does it mean to be brave? How can I slow my mind and wholly trust?

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ripening prayers

by cheyenne raine

i have sat at the edge of my bed
with my face in my hands
trying to decide whether or not
i was brave. 

a bowl of freshly washed raspberries
sat at my feet, begging me to taste.
what does it mean to taste? to want
this bowl of fruit to sit on my tongue.
what does it mean to be brave?
is it when something sour
erupts in my mouth
and i must learn
to speak sweetly, despite?
despite the bitter. sharp tartness.
(still, the sweetness that comes after
is the sky being coated with raindrops
and clouds made of sugar.)

today, i gathered my prayers into my chest
and heaved as i tossed them into the sky,
where i think God knows how to hold them
better than i. the fog crawls in
and takes my whispered words
from my lips— it does not pull them
from my teeth or my bones. it guides
these hushed prayers of mine
into a place where they could grow,
raspberries blossoming under a gemini sun.

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Cheyenne Raine resides in the San Antonio light, pulling warmth and bliss into her lower-case lettered poetry. she writes the beauty amongst every scene, lacing diction to create vivid pictures. she publishes her work consistently on her website and sends little letters through email.

Raine is the author of several books that can be viewed here.

Tiger Lilies and Love Letters

Cheyenne Raine is a contributing author to Introspective Collective. We often email each other alternatively, with this poem landing in my inbox. I received it on a particularly rough afternoon, one in which didn't conform to time's calculated temperament. I retreated to a separate room during my work day, and soaked in the words. I cried honest tears from the genuine love stitched into these letters. I pray they speak to you, as they've spoken to me. 

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Tiger Lilies and Love Letters

a bundle of tiger lilies fall asleep
when the moon rises.
i do believe you would like
to rise, early, with me,
and walk outside,
barefoot and sleepy–
to see how the sun's fingertips
slowly open up the orange petals.
they open so gently, light spilling
into their core.

i wish that i could gather
more than tiger lilies
and fresh sage, for you.
i wish that they could be tucked into brown paper bags
and kept fresh on a road trip to you. left at your doorstep
with the smallest of letters that whispers:
today you are a bundle of joy, to me.
so, here is a bundle of joy, for you.

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Cheyenne's books are available on the 'Books' page with a link to order on Amazon (charcoal thunderstorms pictured), and she's currently working on a special bilingual poetry collection! 

honey sunset

I'm so honored to have Cheyenne be the first writer to share their words on Introspective Collective. I met her through a web of mutual poetry contacts online and connected instantly. Cheyenne is always pulling warmth and bliss into her writing, reminding me that there is beauty amongst every scene. I'm drawn to her dreamy diction she weaves into her poetry, the all-lowercase letters, and her golden heart. She's currently collecting donations for a raffle for The Rape Crisis Center; I'd encourage you to visit her site and donate if you feel drawn to do so. 

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honey sunset

by cheyenne raine

summer sun, fingertips curling
around the soft underbelly of clouds
that taste of cotton candy
and honey glazed pillows.
sometimes, i lie down in the grass
and the sun drips over my skin,
warmth. warmth. warmth.

what is yellow and tart?
my love for the open road,
where highway winds tangle
my hair and my laughter.
where rolled down windows
take the music on the radio
and my voice away (perhaps,
they go to a castle in the clouds).

i like thinking of the constellations,
summer sun faded in the afterglow of the dusk—
wait here, i whisper, let me gather the sky into my palms,
watch it spread and settle against my heartbeat.

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Cheyenne Raine is a creative in all aspects of the word–from writing, to crafts, projects, design and much more. She loves to drink tea and read/watch anything with horror and thrills. She's passionate about healing, chasing all things lovely and blissful and resides in San Antonio, Texas.

Her work (including two poetry books!) can be found on her Instagram and website.