This week, my friends, I thought for a little change of pace, since summer is so busy, we might simply enjoy three poems that knocked my socks off in the past few weeks, written by Sumana ( Vision ), Annell (Some Things I Think About), and Rosemary, (The Passionate Crone). Each of these poets is moving through grief and loss, with such grace, faith and courage. Writing their journey, they inspire. Turn on the bubble sound track, and take a pause that refreshes, each poem a single drop of peace, falling into the stillest of ponds.
The first poem, Sumana's "Trust", really touched my heart with its message of unshakable faith, even after the recent devastating loss of her beloved daughter.
I trust my sun who will always rise I trust my stars who won't forget to light I trust my Ganga* who will ever purify and my Himalayas who will pull me to His height My soul has taken bath in fire yet not burnt My soul has withstood fear-storm undaunted Waves of doubt could never blow out Thy name The trust in Thou glows in my soul like a flame Be my storm, fire, deluge whatever Thou Will With faith, trust, love let my heart be filled *Ganga is the Ganges
Sherry: Faith doesn't come any stronger than that. Such an uplifting and inspiring poem! Thank you, Sumana. Your courage humbles me. Annell's "A Piece of Yarn", has such a gentle sorrowing beauty to it. Annell is moving through the one year anniversary of her beautiful son Jim's passing last June. Yet this poem offers a hopefulness at its closing, as the poet weaves the words, dries her tears and follows the bread crumb path home.
i opened the door startled a pair of fly catchers they flew in unison
a perfect circle... then another before they flew skyward
i ride my weary steed across rough ground we travel south
the sun already high in the sky... sunrise /sunset how quickly go the days...
these words follow me reminding me of their truth
is this the little boy at play i don't remember growing older when did you
it seems only yesterday you were small then... you went away
another summer/fall/winter/spring happiness & tears
one season following another i did not think i could bear
yet loneliness & sorrow stand they are my companions
i am learning to accept them...
sunrise/sunset swiftly fly the years
blue pavilions rise on the horizon... how to keep all that is past
is it like a piece of yarn wound on a spool to be unwound later
to read the words written there weave into the fabric that is my life
dry the tears of yesterday... follow the scattered bread crumbs home
Sherry: I am so moved by "loneliness and sorrow stand / they are my companions." Sigh. This is the way of life, as we move through our losses, incorporate them within, and keep on walking. Rosemary's wonderful poem, "At The Turning Point", picks up the journey at the two-year mark, and says something about the adjustment to her new reality, two years after her beloved husband Andrew's passing. Her poem really impressed me with how she is learning to keep moving forward, with love, a little farther along the highway of grief.
At the turning point I delivered a talk, hiding nerves. I had to speak loud, and project over an exuberant infant’s joyous whoops. ‘Such command!’ they praised. ‘Such a voice!’ I drove back home with new ease around the scary bends of the darkening road — handling the car with confidence at each turning point.
My angel sat beside me
only a little while.
‘You can do this now,’ he said.
I agreed, and acknowledged
the turning-point. In the Solstice fire I burned old fears, old guilts, old regrets — leaving a space for new light to begin and grow in me, here at the turning point.
Sherry: I can see him, your angel: "You can do this, now." Somehow we grow our way through these huge changes in our lives. Bravo, my friend. You are brave.
Between the soothing bubbles and these three beautiful offerings, I hope your visit here has been a peaceful and inspiring few moments in your busy summer day. Do come back and see who we talk to next. Who knows? It might be you!
the crows came sat on the fence i opened my heart to them
it has been splintered for many days i could feel the pain escaping
they said they knew felt it in their bones i offered them grain
they took it from my hand one crow is for death
two crows a wedding three means a baby is on the way
it is good they don't really like to be alone
a crack of thunder ended our chat i crawled home
collapsed in my bed pulled the quilts over my head
in my dreams i worked with clay... i dreamed of you July 4, 2015
Note: I am thinking we do not have to go far for an adventure. The crows do come and sit on the fence, if we could have a chat with them, oh how much we could learn. I have watched animals, and they teach us much.
