Growing Up in Mendocino:
I was raised deep in the mountains of Mendocino, far off the grid, east of the small town of Willits in Northern California. My memories of Pine Mountain are filled with moments of self-sufficiency—pumping our own water, fueling the generator for power—but most of all, I remember the profound quietness and peace, a deep connection with nature. One memory that always resonates deeply with me is one I shared with my late Nonna. We were very close, and our time together was filled with joy and meaningful experiences. This moment can never truly be captured with words, but I can only hope to pay it the homage it deserves. When I was about 11, one late night around 2 a.m., Nonna woke me up. My grandparents lived on our property, and as we quietly rose from our beds, a warm breeze greeted us. The crickets sang loudly in the darkness, and the Pine trees seemed to stretch into the sky.
Swords and Shields
Gifted by the Gods of eternity,
Forged in the fires of cosmic creation,
The fates wove two spirits to harmonize as one.
Maidens and heroes made as swords and shields,
Synchronized, entangled, polarized in rhythm.
They emulate the moon and the sun—
A subtle, whispered prayer.
In the pitch-black dark of despair,
Alone in hopelessness,
Distant in confinement,
My Goddess was with me, she gifted
Thy shield for my sword.
In the upcoming days,
Maiden Mallory, the name,
Her shine dulled with tarnish,
Misuse and neglect.
My blade’s edge blunted, ridged,
By self-sabotage and regret.
Together we worked, complementing our worth,
Deflecting, protecting, advancing in life.
With me honing, and her polishing,
A radiant beauty and smile,
Like the midnight moon Goddess
With her midnight moonshine.
