Poetry and Prose by #1 Amazon Bestselling Author of Nature Speaks of Love and Sorrow, Co-Author of #1 Amazon Bestseller, Wounds I Healed: The Poetry of Strong Women, and Jan/Feb 2022 Spillwords Press Author of the Month
What lives inside the expected, Is a river of gold so long for the road, People often mistake it for their own abode.
When we think we know, we wander into The scene with a predisposition toward Contriteness, and not so much politeness.
We get stuck inside our own heads, leaving Our heart in another’s hands. Walking away from Heart is sure to give you a start, and a prodding So don’t be beguiled, nay, keep trotting.
Movement is key, even when we are not In the scene. We set our course with intention Of course, and then let loose the heart we’ve been Waiting for, which is our Source.
Times at an end, my friend, unleash all that is inside You. Be not afraid of the things lurking in the dark, For they’re not going to persuade you from your mark.
Even if for a time they chance a succession of events That causes your mind to spin, be sure to let go And untether your grin.
And, be at peace with the unexpected. Around every Twist and turn know there’s a chance for more Connected pieces. We pick them up as we go, don’t wait Just recalibrate, and walk into the scene with a fresh Sense of humility.
For it’s inside of the unexpected, where we can find tranquility and our own sense of pliability and stability.
In response to the Saturday RDP Unexpected, by Punam.
As I close my eyes to the sky, and breathe in deep, it occurs to me that time as we understand it has stopped belaboring me, while the vastness before me unfolds and expands with a specialness that will withstand all contrivances that the mind has planned.
Disrupting the pattern created over millennia, I watch silently, as the breath moves in and out of my body, and my heart slows down, to match the hidden, and ever so mysterious criteria.
Listen and believe in the unseen, for even when in doubt you can be sure that there is clout and integrity in the system of stars and constellations that remains, at times, hidden, yet always smitten.
And at others, it’s all we can do to catch a glimpse of that magical consideration, and watch as the dance of the cosmos plays out, and all our dreams come about.
Believe, I say, in the unseen, and dream big right into that emptiness, knowing all the while that that vastness is where all of life’s greatest gifts are awaiting your focused attention, and future dissemination.
In response to the WDYS #75 prompt from Keep it Alive, by Sadje.
This past week, I’ve been reflecting upon my emotions, as you might have noticed and/or read about in some of my poems. As we continue to move forward with vaccinations, it occurs to me that there will be emotions about the pandemic that will arise for all of us. Some we will see coming, some we will not.
Before we discuss this topic more, let’s take a look at the writing that occured this week, and the writing slated for next week.
Writing
This past week, I found myself drawn more to poetry. In fact, in the past two weeks, I’ve written about 10 new poems. All of which, I will share in the coming weeks. I’ve been feeling moved this week by several concepts, which did make their way into the following pieces.
Image credit; Eric Muhr @ Unsplash
Keeps
The poem Keeps was initially inspired by the WDYS #74 prompt from Keep it Alive, by Sadje. The prompt this week reminded me of my hikes in the local area in which I live. Hikes where I am present to only my footing, the scenery, such as the earth, the foliage, the beautiful sky, and any wildlife that comes by. Beautiful.
As thoughts enter my mind, I let them pass through, and remain in that moment, just walking along the trail being one with the Nature that surrounds me.
It is quite meditative to walk, practice your breathing, and just listen and watch. There is healing in each foot step, each breath, and in each moment. If you’ve not tried meditative walking/hiking, I suggest giving it a try.
The poem Elixir was an acknowledgement to the present moment and the illusion of time. I’ve written several times about the social construction of time, and when you really understand that time, in fact, is illusory, you are freed from self-imposed limits bound in time.
We all live outside of time, yet also live in it, as we choose. A paradox, and not.
Next Week
As I mentioned previously, I’ve created a bunch of new poems, and am excited to get them scheduled. I feel more poetry coming, so will continue to write and reflect on new concepts and insights as they come.
I am also continuing to work on a post on silence. I had an insight this week about a post on communication, and will probably start that sometime in the next week or two.
Alas, I’ve not made much progress on the Leadership from Within series. Though I’ve not made much progress yet, I will continue to endeavor to write this series. I see it as a possible book in the future, and have a lot of thinking and feeling about the topic to share.
Vaccinations are opening up more here locally. In fact, I am pleased to report that I am on an official waitlist for my first dose. I was told I should get a call in the next week or two.
Though I am pleased about this progress, both as a State and a Country, I realize that there is much work to do across this country and the world to ensure that everyone that wants a vaccination has access.
I will not pretend to know the answers to this issue. I will say, however, that I look forward to a day when those in legislative positions and positions of power in this country and around the globe think more collectively and collaboratively about serving the common good, which includes all of humanity. Everyone, everywhere.
With anticipation and excitement also comes apprehension, fear, and indifference. It’s just how it works. Which means that whereas some people will feel the former, some will feel the latter, and many of us will feel both.
When I was told that I would be put on a waiting list for my first dose of the vaccine, I was excited and anxious. Excited about the movement, and anxious about the unknown.
It is important for me to stay grounded in the current reality, which, yes, includes the vaccination being distributed to more and more people across the State. The current reality also includes, however, the fact that some people will not want to get the vaccine and some will not have access to the vaccine due to systematic inequalities in this country and around the world.
The latter of which fills me with sadness.
It also occurs to me that the landscape of how the pandemic, and respective responses to it from a systems and organizational perspective, are still completely unknown. Which simply means taking things as they come, developing plans and iterating those plans as needed, to ensure we continue to serve as many people as possible with educational options that fit their needs. Important.
The invitation I will send out to the team this week will be to recognize the emotions as they come for what they are. Responses to stimuli in your environment, and in your mind. Meaning, emotions are something we get and feel, they are not who we are.
Emotions, like our thoughts, do not define us. We choose.
Alright, that’s all for this week.
Have a wonderful week and please stay healthy and well.
Wonder about the path underfoot, gravely in spots, wet and muddy like another, and semi-solid in some others.
Ponder the present, all that I see, yes, beneath me, and also out in front in that lea. Tall grass swaying in the wind, brushing each other, like kith and kin, a dance of the neighborly ties that bring us together in every kind of weather.
Fascinated by all that I hear, off in the distance, and more close with such persistence. Overwhelming at times, just like a nursery rhyme read aloud to the young. All grown up now, lost in the brilliance of each moment together under the sun.
Astonished by all that I feel, a gentle breeze, cold and prickly on the skin, rustling goose bumps from their slumber, as I along lumber.
Amazed at all that I smell, that flower off yonder, and the fresh fragrance of the tiled blue mosaic, encapsulating the essence of herbs and spices, as I continue to wander.
Senses are interesting to figure, as they continue to flitter. All of the above bring joy to my being, filling me with a knowing of all that’s bigger.
A moment and an eternity, all wrapped up in one precious instant, so when you’re next out and about, please don’t forget to consider.
The piano plays, just like a display, And, yes, sometimes, I do feel flayed, And swayed by my emotional state.
Coming in waves at times, overwhelmed And feeling lost in translation, or, rather, Maybe it’s best in preparation for the next Round, say, did you call?
Or, was that just a whisper of something I thought I caught on a second chance, No need for romance, it’s all as it should be In this dance. We’ve moved on from the choreography, And are now simply living in full blown practicality.
Just as it is. See. Simple. And, not. Oh, what A paradox, and yet, it’s not even that, my friend. It’s simply This, this moment here with you, typing what comes, and becoming What’s, from the start, always been the end plot.
I could be remiss, second-guessing all that I’ve missed, and guess what, that’s also been done and sealed with a kiss.
Of love forevermore, for the losses and also For the light that blossoms in my heart, as time Passes, and aging happens.
Be still when you have a moment, reflect And heal those wounds deep in your soul, For the love you feel will bloom even more.
The trail winds to the left, and, yes Sometimes I do feel bereft, yet not usually When I’m in this scene, which is just like a dream.
Something from the fiction books, beautiful and deeply Colored earth underfoot, stunning shrubbery and foliage Descending and ascending on either side, reminding me Of such kinder times. Trees as tall as the sky, looking up, feeling Dizzy, and completely in love with this misty morning.
A deep grin catches my eye, as I continue to fly Along the trail, listening to only my heart beat, and the sounds of the forest underneath.
Being present, I let the thoughts drop back, One foot in front of the other, breathe in deep, and remember we are all in this play for keeps.
In response to the WDYS #74 prompt from Keep it Alive, by Sadje.
Develop. Inspire. Transform. 