Steph lived in the commune in the foothills of Appalachia. The road to her home was a winding road. The spiritual pathway was of gravel. When other cars passed by, drivers would stop and let one another pass, as this was a very narrow road. In the Autumn-time, deer leapt about between the whistling witch's wind and the ghostly orbs. The foothills revealed rusty colors and intricate patterns along the countryside. During the cold, dark, and desolate Winter-time, ice covered the way and we huddled close in our winter coats and Gnome hats.
Lindy Love always wore striped stalkings underneath her layers of flowing dresses. She could do it all, flute, guitar, singing, poetry, and of course painting with color. Tony, or Singing Bear, was kind and spiritual just like Lindy. He played guitar, piano, and harmonica. Sometimes he played the hand drums. He loved to flow his lyrics about humanity, Earth Mother, and love. Johnny, my boyfriend, was the band Forealious's bass player.
We were all there huddled by the wood burning stove keeping warm. It was resonating natural heat and we felt so peaceful. Comet the drummer was there with his son, Moss. Some elders of the cummune were there, as well as some middled-aged people, young people, and children. We celebrated the harvest eating hummus, nuts, spicy apple cider, and other magical treats. The food was organic and everyone gave thanks in abundance. There were seasonal blessings in the air.
The party room was cozy with a hard wood floor. The bathroom was a compost toliet which dropped into a deep hole below the house. We poured sawdust over our own wastes. It felt like home. You could be who you are. Everyone loved you know matter what. And everyone danced silly, looking at one another and hugging. Some elders sat with the youngest kids in a sun room full of wicker chairs and couches.
Lindy, I saw and felt you that night as you sang "Serendipity," on guitar. You told us that you had a strong inspiration to learn and express guitar. Your voice was like an angelic fairy. I love you so much. You loved everyone. When Forealious played, we all danced and danced in spirit. Being with you before your great adventure to San Francisco was so blessed and sacred. Your spirit made a lasting impact on me for a lifetime. You gave me a picture to tattoo on my back, sistar goddess. She floats on my back now until I die.
Tis Stephanie that gave me many possessions when she was planning her move to California's commune. She bid farewell with grace leaving me a tye-dye single bed skirt, ty-dye sham pillow covers, a dragon, some art, and a bunch of clothes. She explained that she needs to get rid of old stuff to start fresh and to pack it all neatly in her car for her long trip home. When she gave me her old things, I thanked her greatly, and she returned the flute I had let her borrow. She had hoped to learn how to play flute like Lindy but could not make a sound, just a faint whistle.
As Steph and I walked down the sacred pathway to "the point," we anticipated seeing the foothills in a 360 degree portrait. That is when I saw my piano accompanist for music school, Ed. He was bent over, tan and sweating, picking wild herbs and weeds in nothing but an old pair of pants. We greeted one another in amusement, awe, and great surprise. Ed exclaimed, Alexis?" I responded, "Ed?" We embraced and he asked, "What are YOU doing here?!?" I responded in the same accord, "What are YOU doing here?" Ed lived there! And I knew Stephanie, wow!
So we grazed to his dwelling. He lived like an elder hobbit in a tiny cottage all by his lonesome. The cottage looked as though it was out of a Fairy Tale. To me, it seemed to be slanting a bit. We entered and he played his honky tonk tuned piano, and I played flute. He scolded me for rushing the music and corrected me playing, "see it sounds like this." We had a jury performance coming up. He wanted to restore his status in the prestigious music school. I reveled in the idea I had found him there, with my old flute, and with the original music I had gave him. I had been paying him for his assistance, but never knew of his residence. In his old cottage we played beautiful music together, and I glanced up at his lofted area. He told me that some of his children grew up here and he was one of the original starters of the commune. He gave me vegetables from his garden to take home. Everyone who lived there always gave everything to their community, and said we were a family. I loved Ed even more then. I enjoyed dropping off his checks and music at the Courthouse where he worked. When we walked to the music school, he was always professional with me, wearing his tattered sweaters and smelling of incense. Athens, Ohio was a very magical place full of lots of colorful people.
Steph danced and meditated outside, listening to the music. When we met again, we went to the swimming hole. It was a very green swimming hole. There was a naked woman there bathing with her baby and husband. They were all very comfortable with nudity. Steph took off her clothes and dived into that mossy pond. I remember sitting by the water's edge stroking my flute case. I felt inspired to play improv, but did not know how. So I took the flute out and sat it beside but did not play. I wanted to play like Lindy....
