Poet makes Call of the Mystic

Doreen Holmes stresses her new production is a spiritual journey, but not necessarily a religious one.

The local author and artist says Call of the Mystic is about the spiritual journey people experience, including life, death and rebirth.

“We’re not talking about clinical death, no,” says Holmes, struggling sometimes to put things into words that are normally expressed through sounds, feelings and inner senses.

“It’s about letting go of who you are, and that can be frightening...but then you bloom. You bloom like a flower in colour and beauty... of course, flowers do fade.”

Call of the Mystic is an experience of Holmes’ poetry set to music and interpretive dance. A strong metaphor throughout the production is that of veils, she says.

“When you really think about it, veils are everywhere in our lives...they have an aura of the mysterious, the forbidden, the sensual about them.”

Set in three stages, each separated by a veil, it’s the spiritual journey of Holmes’ life told through a number of her poems in her recent book Call of the Mystic: Poems of Ecstasy and Longing.

The production is performed by local actresses Sheri Austin and Lianne Marsh.

During Call of the Mystic, the audience members will be asked to interact, whether it be singing or reciting.

“It will challenge some people...call it a preview of the retreat I’m doing two weeks later,” said Holmes.

The production will take place at St. Ignatius Church Hall in Fort Rouge on Nov. 4 at 7:30 p.m., although Holmes said demand has been greater than she expected and she may produce another performance next spring.

Cost is $10 at the door or by calling 474-2351. For more information visit www.avoicefromheaven.ca