Rumi’s intense directive to make change in one’s life continues. This poem feels like it carries an assurance, a confidence, that we have everything we need to make this change, within us. All we have to do is slow down, quiet our lives and allow the change to show itself.
Your old life was a frantic running
from silence.
The speechless full moon
comes out now. ~ Rumi
The landscape painter at the artist colony in the country noted for its messianic light, its sparse, hard-to-capture beauty, complains she's come all this way to paint al fresco but the mosquitoes have driven her inside, no matter the netting on her hat, her cuffed sleeves and pants, a heavy does of Deet. They bite through everything. And when she tries to snap a picture, a breathy handkerchief of mosquitoes flutters over the lens. What can I do? she moans, trapped in a dull and narrow room, thinking of booking a ticket back to her studio in Vancouver. Paint the mosquitoes, god replies. Lorna Crozier from God Of Shadows 2018 McClelland & Stewart (image credit: Trichy Insights)
As we continue to settle into accepting that we will be dealing with the corona virus for some time I came across this little piece of advice. Unfortunately I don’t have a name to give credit to. (The Batman image credit goes to Clipart Pin by Liran S)
Whatever you’re doing today, do it with all the confidence of a four-year-old in a Batman t-shirt.
Have a great day. Continue to be kind, to others and yourself.
(internet photo)
I step into silence.
There I find my voice.
Away from everyday
hurry, honks, clucks and clicks.
I enter a vast space
ready to hold my imagination.
Dot to dot stars swing aside
to allow my entrance.
Ready to listen.
Ready to speak.
I sit outside
on a weather worn park bench
beneath a fragrant cherry tree.
Deep pink blossoms
punch a bright statement
of their presence
to the surrounding burgeoning
trees and shrubs.
With legs outstretched
on fresh green spring grass,
arms crossed below my chest,
I tilt my head toward the sun
and close my eyes.
Silence.
A cool breeze blows my hair
across my face and drops
cherry blossom kisses upon me.
Stillness follows styling
my hair abruptly in a abstract
modern art form,
casually dishevelled.
Stillness and silence;
agents sent to calm my occupied
mind, a prisoner of my own
thoughts, captive of racing
ideas and procrastination –
no focus;
Peacekeepers sent to mediate
warring factions of my
right and left brain.
Yellow sticky-note lists
battle for priority against
stacks of paper clutter and
baskets of laundry.
Birdsong can be heard.
Laughter of children, squealing
as they chase and dodge each
other. The clink of a dog
collar as it passes near.
I drift on a cherry blossom
into words of an unknown future.
I drift on the breeze like a
prayer rising to heaven,
a petition piggy-backing the
promise of spring bursting
with color and fragrance from
a dormant winter.
I drift…
And when I return,
silence and stillness remain
continuing their mediation.
My world has not changed
but my heart feels lighter
as I shake cherry blossom
petals from my hair.
Music plays quietly
delicate notes of joy and love
uplifting
Heartwarming tears of gratitude
offered while on knees of the moment
Beauty and compassion
shared in a circle of safety
stories of hardship and pain
stories of hopes and desires
enveloped in a halo of acceptance
Dream catchers woven
in a time of listening
open hearts
exposed and vulnerable
gathered in hands of friendship
Ragged threads
braided as one
no longer frayed
strengthened by unity
now a beautiful tapestry
Lives unfold
as each thread is touched,
colored, named
Mystical artwork
mysteriously created
Music soars
a divine chorus
a privileged instant
My telephone rings
jangling nerves with its chime
an unexpected call
my world changes
I hear your voice
quiet, calm, self assured
distance obliterated in an instant
I hear your voice
could there be a lovelier sound
my heart sings
a prayer answered
release of held breath
hope and happiness arrive
delivering a restorative message
“we are still here
we haven’t gone far”
I dare to accept hope
to take a chance
to believe that all will be well
equilibrium gained
I dare to believe in happiness
for you
for me
I dare to believe that you will find healing
solace
a way to deal with your addictions
I dare to believe that I will find acceptance
letting go
the ability to watch you fall
so you may rise above the demons that have tormented you
to believe we will find renewal
peace
a way to move on
my telephone rings
calming nerves with its chime
my world changes
ScribbleDartsfromtheHeart 