(11/18/10)
I could say, just walk away.
I could say, just say the word, and I'll leave you be.
But, I won't.
Tell me you don't miss me,
and I'll tell you, you're a liar.
Sitting in your safety seat
with a hard hat on and a glass of wine.
You don't go, from seeing a future
to crying wolf, and calling it "fundamentals"
when it's your own shadow
that you're hiding behind.
I could say, I'm not angry..
because I don't want to be that
bitter lesbian, jaded and gun-shy
hopeful yet dreary, livid yet laughing
But I won't.
It's not every day that I open the door
certainly not to a wanderlust like you.
they say "not all who wander are lost"
but somehow, you missed the boat
and your lust is your lost cause.
Sunday, December 5, 2010
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
New-- Reader's Submission
I woke up this morning,
feeling like a dirty-dishrag.
Like my body had been used to wipe up someone else's mistakes.
Like I had frayed ends on display.
Like I had,
Holes.
And whereas these did not inhibit me
From rising and greeting that familiar window-sill sun,
They certainly contributed to
Some stiffness-
Some creases-
A damp chill.
You asked me, "How do you feel?"
This is how I feel.
As for,
The clean laminate conscience you carry so well-
The spilled milk you never cried over-
The egg-batter disease which never beat your brow,
never
rendered your body,
fragile and fever-pitch-
No, you'll never see my part in that.
I suppose that's just as well.
I suppose that's not something I shouldn't want anyway.
For what are dishrags?
But harbors-
Pungent after-thoughts.
No.
I say this to you silent as bleach in a bucket;
No.
We are thread.
-Anonymous
(Note to Readers: If you enjoy any submission as much as I enjoy them, and would like to comment, please feel free to send them to the email listed in my profile. I would be happy to pass them along to the author.)
***Keep the wonderful submissions coming!! :) -Phoenix***
feeling like a dirty-dishrag.
Like my body had been used to wipe up someone else's mistakes.
Like I had frayed ends on display.
Like I had,
Holes.
And whereas these did not inhibit me
From rising and greeting that familiar window-sill sun,
They certainly contributed to
Some stiffness-
Some creases-
A damp chill.
You asked me, "How do you feel?"
This is how I feel.
As for,
The clean laminate conscience you carry so well-
The spilled milk you never cried over-
The egg-batter disease which never beat your brow,
never
rendered your body,
fragile and fever-pitch-
No, you'll never see my part in that.
I suppose that's just as well.
I suppose that's not something I shouldn't want anyway.
For what are dishrags?
But harbors-
Pungent after-thoughts.
No.
I say this to you silent as bleach in a bucket;
No.
We are thread.
-Anonymous
(Note to Readers: If you enjoy any submission as much as I enjoy them, and would like to comment, please feel free to send them to the email listed in my profile. I would be happy to pass them along to the author.)
***Keep the wonderful submissions coming!! :) -Phoenix***
Thursday, November 4, 2010
Well of a World
finally letting this one go...
(6/1, 6/18)
It must be nice, to be able to get up and walk away...
to turn your back, avert your eyes, move your feet
and leave me behind.
It must be nice to have some peace,
to close your eyes, enjoy your dreams, grasp your freedom
and leave me behind.
It must be nice to be able to take a break...
to avoid conversation, retreat from your feelings, disconnect
and leave me behind.
It must be nice to breathe freely...
to reject the ache, move on with your life, cut all ties
and leave me behind.
When you look away, I still see your face.
I'm moving on, yet you still keep your place.
I try to believe, that time will heal all pain
but as you are carefree, my heart's still in chains.
You took our love for granted, you said you need to be free.
Now you have your freedom, but my heart won't grant my release.
Time hasn't treated me fairly, it hasn't sealed my cracks.
Distance hasn't made my heart grow fonder, just a little older.
Look at you babe, you make about as much sense as a nursery rhyme.
What happened to us, I won't ever understand.
But I'm taking back my heart because I deserve a chance.
A chance to learn, to open up....
and let someone love me... dare I let someone love me
as much as I loved you. I deserve a love that flows freely
a love that holds me, elates me and moves me.
I deserve a love that stays, a love that's firm,
a love that's tough yet a love that will soothe me.
I deserve a love that looks out for me.
A heart, that will open wide into a well of a world
only meant for me.
That was never in you.
(6/1, 6/18)
It must be nice, to be able to get up and walk away...
to turn your back, avert your eyes, move your feet
and leave me behind.
It must be nice to have some peace,
to close your eyes, enjoy your dreams, grasp your freedom
and leave me behind.
It must be nice to be able to take a break...
to avoid conversation, retreat from your feelings, disconnect
and leave me behind.
It must be nice to breathe freely...
to reject the ache, move on with your life, cut all ties
and leave me behind.
When you look away, I still see your face.
I'm moving on, yet you still keep your place.
I try to believe, that time will heal all pain
but as you are carefree, my heart's still in chains.
You took our love for granted, you said you need to be free.
Now you have your freedom, but my heart won't grant my release.
Time hasn't treated me fairly, it hasn't sealed my cracks.
Distance hasn't made my heart grow fonder, just a little older.
Look at you babe, you make about as much sense as a nursery rhyme.
What happened to us, I won't ever understand.
But I'm taking back my heart because I deserve a chance.
A chance to learn, to open up....
and let someone love me... dare I let someone love me
as much as I loved you. I deserve a love that flows freely
a love that holds me, elates me and moves me.
I deserve a love that stays, a love that's firm,
a love that's tough yet a love that will soothe me.
I deserve a love that looks out for me.
A heart, that will open wide into a well of a world
only meant for me.
That was never in you.
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
Rumination
It's been such a long time since I've written in here... I've been a bit swept up by life as of late... between grad school, searching for a new home... new job... all of which I've found now thankfully. I am packing up my life currently for the move this coming Sunday... simplifying my life is more like it... 6 trash bags worth of trash thrown away, 3 bags of clothes donated, pieces of furniture tossed.. sports equipment... it's very much like I'm picking up my life, shaking all the waste and residue off, and putting it back down again in a better place. I'll be sad to leave this place, where I've called home for the last two years. But I couldn't be more ready for this new chapter in my life. I feel like I've arrived... and that good things are coming.... :)
In the spirit of this life change... while cleaning I found some writing from when I was in college (undergrad) and producing work everyday... this was from one of my poetry workshops. Hope you enjoy! Be well....<3 5/2004 Rumination
I remember when you said,
"love is more than bugs flying around in a jar."
You said that I'd never find my reflection
staring into a carnival mirror on the wall.
But, all I can think about is the butterfly,
that can never be caught, but lands gracefully
on your finger jutting out in the air.
Pretending it's the wind that you're baiting,
without a purpose the butterfly is there.
And then I remember what you said about the mirror:
I could spend hours scouring
and still see nothing at all,
but the illusion of someone...
just a stranger in a bathroom stall.
A shifty, altered replica of a rigid character
trapped in a dream.
You say that love is more than good intentions,
and that our brave retentions need to be released.
If I open my jar and dreams of tarantulas crawl onto the floor,
I pray you'll recognize the person looking back at you.
You'll say it's all about our love.
I notice, in reflection,
that you are always there.
But with these infestations,
is it a promise, or a dare?
I would jump if I knew you would catch me,
but as I'm staring over the edge;
I can't tell if you'll be here for me.
When my jar has broken open,
the carnival mirror's picture cut and dry,
when the lively insects are all dead,
when the dreams have all bled,
will you say it's all about love?
In the spirit of this life change... while cleaning I found some writing from when I was in college (undergrad) and producing work everyday... this was from one of my poetry workshops. Hope you enjoy! Be well....<3 5/2004 Rumination
I remember when you said,
"love is more than bugs flying around in a jar."
You said that I'd never find my reflection
staring into a carnival mirror on the wall.
But, all I can think about is the butterfly,
that can never be caught, but lands gracefully
on your finger jutting out in the air.
Pretending it's the wind that you're baiting,
without a purpose the butterfly is there.
And then I remember what you said about the mirror:
I could spend hours scouring
and still see nothing at all,
but the illusion of someone...
just a stranger in a bathroom stall.
A shifty, altered replica of a rigid character
trapped in a dream.
You say that love is more than good intentions,
and that our brave retentions need to be released.
If I open my jar and dreams of tarantulas crawl onto the floor,
I pray you'll recognize the person looking back at you.
You'll say it's all about our love.
I notice, in reflection,
that you are always there.
But with these infestations,
is it a promise, or a dare?
I would jump if I knew you would catch me,
but as I'm staring over the edge;
I can't tell if you'll be here for me.
When my jar has broken open,
the carnival mirror's picture cut and dry,
when the lively insects are all dead,
when the dreams have all bled,
will you say it's all about love?
Thursday, August 5, 2010
Fifth Insight
7/10,8/2-5
is walking in my shoes
talking in my voice
and messing with my head.
Familiar is the lesson in patience
I've walked a thousand miles for loyalty
I've stepped in a thousand traps and mines
life is never easy but love is twice as hard
I've walked a thousand paces further now
through fits of betrayal, heartbreak and loss
I've stepped through fire and hoops again
only to find myself completely changed.
Each and every day I awoke, and every night I
lost sleep, tossed by the bitter storms of rage
in my dreams and still resisting the cover of
defeat by the screams in the darkness of endless nights.
But yet I exhale once more, just a little
opening my arms into the breeze
just to see how it would feel to
breathe some new life in.
Something happened in that moment
a new verve arrived, in ways I didn't know it could
and as I'm looking around, I realize that life has changed
just as I hoped it would.
Yet I could never hope or guess, or even try
to predict just how the pieces will fall
when the universe places them they always
seem to end up just where they should.
Thanks to you; my universe, and to
your creation of love and its gift of faith.
Today you've blessed me in the face of others
who reflect the love that I deserve, in me.
"If you call me up late at night, and you have found that I am still awake...There are days when I don't know who
don't be surprised if I am calling out your name... because I want you here to stay, I want you here with me. I want you here with me, because there is something I want you to see." D. Roberts
is walking in my shoes
talking in my voice
and messing with my head.
Familiar is the lesson in patience
I've walked a thousand miles for loyalty
I've stepped in a thousand traps and mines
life is never easy but love is twice as hard
I've walked a thousand paces further now
through fits of betrayal, heartbreak and loss
I've stepped through fire and hoops again
only to find myself completely changed.
Each and every day I awoke, and every night I
lost sleep, tossed by the bitter storms of rage
in my dreams and still resisting the cover of
defeat by the screams in the darkness of endless nights.
But yet I exhale once more, just a little
opening my arms into the breeze
just to see how it would feel to
breathe some new life in.
Something happened in that moment
a new verve arrived, in ways I didn't know it could
and as I'm looking around, I realize that life has changed
just as I hoped it would.
Yet I could never hope or guess, or even try
to predict just how the pieces will fall
when the universe places them they always
seem to end up just where they should.
Thanks to you; my universe, and to
your creation of love and its gift of faith.
Today you've blessed me in the face of others
who reflect the love that I deserve, in me.
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
For Ophelia
6/8&16, 7/16, 8/3
A world in your heart, and spirit in your hands.
Beauty at your fingertips, a beacon to transcend.
The beams from your heart, send warmth down all paths.
Let the love on this earth, deliver you strength to mend.
A fever in your world, a joy ripped from your arms.
A gift opened your eyes, pain sears your resolve.
I will hold you close in this morning, awake with love.
I will carry you when you are heavy, as you rise above.
Shine as only you can, even with a broken heart
Desperation has no chance, when your spirit takes a stand.
A world in your heart, and spirit in your hands.
Beauty at your fingertips, a beacon to transcend.
The beams from your heart, send warmth down all paths.
Let the love on this earth, deliver you strength to mend.
A fever in your world, a joy ripped from your arms.
A gift opened your eyes, pain sears your resolve.
I will hold you close in this morning, awake with love.
I will carry you when you are heavy, as you rise above.
Shine as only you can, even with a broken heart
Desperation has no chance, when your spirit takes a stand.
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
Upside Down
Someday, someone's going to walk in your life...
...and turn it upside down.
You always told me that I oughta think twice,
before letting anyone in to my world.
Sometimes I sit inside of myself, during dry times of writing. A professor I had in college for a poetry workshop always told me you have to be able to "kill your babies" in order to write anything worthwhile when it comes to Poetry. The same goes for all mediums of art, in my eyes. Yes, this is a very disturbing saying.. personifying the artistic process of letting go. But sometimes the truth is harsh, and so is letting go- most times. I've got a few pieces in the works, that I've been working on since the beginning of June. Countless times I've gone back, sometimes adding a word here or there, sometimes a line. But sometimes I've left it for weeks realizing that I'm just not ready to finish it yet. I'm just not at the point in my journey where I have the words to finish it. Sometimes down the road I realize it was finished all along, and it just needs to be sharpened. Othertimes, it takes on all new life- and blossoms into something entirely different than what I originally intended.
It's just really difficult during these blank times- to be patient for the inspiration, and the words to start flowing again. At times I hit blank/writer's block times when I'm going through something particularly difficult. Other times, when I feel uninvolved and or depressed with the way my life is going. Right now, I certainly have plenty that is stressing me out, both of a positive nature- and a more concerning or confusing nature. This normally would be a fruitful, and bountiful time for my writing-- being that I have so much to draw from. But lately it's just not happening for me. What is it that YOU do, to get your writing rolling again? Freewrites? Dabble in other mediums? I'd love to hear from you.
Thursday, June 3, 2010
New-- Reader's Submission
Under The Rock by rgv '07
Forever yours
I write this letter to you
With the knowledge I have learned in the desert sands
We have but one chance to relive this history
Forgotten memories of love and miseries
So just follow me
So just follow me through the empty breeze
The world then was
Swept away with tears
Throughout the years
And blood stood tall
Only to fall
Into the hollow
And forsaken
Blinded by the road
The brightest ever taken
So just follow me
Yeah just follow me
Follow me through the empty breeze
Comparing the sun to moon
Finding life in the brightest
Of all darkest rooms
Visions of despair
Sitting in the liars chair
Oh I will still be waiting right here
So just follow me
Yeah just follow me
Through the empty breeze
Straight between the trees
To the necromancer's cave
By the stone pillar through the lion's mane
Where the wizard stands
And the old man plans
To take a leap of faith
Into the great wide unknown
The old man stands tall
Only to fall
Into the hollow and forsaken
The brightest road ever taken
So just follow
Yeah just follow me
Follow the brightest path
To nothingness
That only the gods could ever witness
Forever yours
I write this letter to you
With the knowledge I have learned in the desert sands
We have but one chance to relive this history
Forgotten memories of love and miseries
So just follow me
So just follow me through the empty breeze
The world then was
Swept away with tears
Throughout the years
And blood stood tall
Only to fall
Into the hollow
And forsaken
Blinded by the road
The brightest ever taken
So just follow me
Yeah just follow me
Follow me through the empty breeze
Comparing the sun to moon
Finding life in the brightest
Of all darkest rooms
Visions of despair
Sitting in the liars chair
Oh I will still be waiting right here
So just follow me
Yeah just follow me
Through the empty breeze
Straight between the trees
To the necromancer's cave
By the stone pillar through the lion's mane
Where the wizard stands
And the old man plans
To take a leap of faith
Into the great wide unknown
The old man stands tall
Only to fall
Into the hollow and forsaken
The brightest road ever taken
So just follow
Yeah just follow me
Follow the brightest path
To nothingness
That only the gods could ever witness
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
New-- Reader's Submission
Game Over
Lets play a game daddy…
just you and me…
Let’s see who can carry this basket of our secrets longer
I dare you to beat me…Beat my record of 28yrs
Can you tell it’s been that long?
Look at me…
I am falling sideways,
slouching from years of silence,
torn by tolerance…
blood
dripping
from my swollen tongue -
this tongue…
my tongue has been bitten
so often…
too deeply.
Look at me… I am tired.
Inflated eyes
Strain
to
look for
reasons to love you…
While truth clouds my focus
and all I see
are reasons not to.
I am that little girl you neglected.
That little girl
molested
in your home… while you were
in
the
shower
And you knew…
but
never
said
a
word.
And I…
never
said
a
word…
instead
I swallowed that blood between my teeth
and wiped the residue between my legs.
Can you carry this basket?
I will no longer cry
for that little girl that
used to be me…
I’ll cry now for the world that
knows
men
like
you.
Silent men.
Weak men…
who say…
nothing,
who do
nothing.
When something needs to be done.
I need to be done.
I will unravel the web of excuses I’ve made for you
I will tell the truth at my engagement dinner
I will say that you couldn’t come because your wife
Comes first
and I don’t
come at all.
You have made that clear
I have been struggling for far too long… fighting the truth that I don’t matter.
And I am done
Know this daddy,
that I am the only one who will
ever call you by that name.
Know that you have proven to me now, like you did then,
that you are still in the shower.
And
I will never be a part of who you are
I am done fighting against you.
I am done trying to be loved by you.
And I am done carrying this basket of our secrets…
Written by Ninive Hernandez
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
When Death Comes by Mary Oliver
(I just wanted to share a poem from one of my favorite poets in the entire world, this is so special to me.)
When death comes
like the hungry bear in autumn;
when death comes and takes all the bright coins from his purse
to buy me, and snaps the purse shut;
when death comes
like the measle-pox:
when death comes
like an iceberg between the shoulder blades,
I want to step through the door full of curiosity, wondering
what is it going to be like, that cottage of darkness?
And therefore I look upon everything
as a brotherhood and a sisterhood,
and I look upon time as no more than an idea,
and I consider eternity as another possibility,
and I think of each life as a flower, as common
as a field daisy, and as singular,
and each name a comfortable music in the mouth,
tending, as all music does, toward silence,
and each body a lion of courage, and something
precious to the earth.
When it's over, I want to say: all my life
I was a bride married to amazement.
I was the bridegroom, taking the world into my arms.
When it's over, I don't want to wonder
if I have made of my life something particular, and real.
I don't want to find myself sighing and frightened,
or full of argument.
I don't want to end up simply having visited this world.
-- Mary Oliver
When death comes
like the hungry bear in autumn;
when death comes and takes all the bright coins from his purse
to buy me, and snaps the purse shut;
when death comes
like the measle-pox:
when death comes
like an iceberg between the shoulder blades,
I want to step through the door full of curiosity, wondering
what is it going to be like, that cottage of darkness?
And therefore I look upon everything
as a brotherhood and a sisterhood,
and I look upon time as no more than an idea,
and I consider eternity as another possibility,
and I think of each life as a flower, as common
as a field daisy, and as singular,
and each name a comfortable music in the mouth,
tending, as all music does, toward silence,
and each body a lion of courage, and something
precious to the earth.
When it's over, I want to say: all my life
I was a bride married to amazement.
I was the bridegroom, taking the world into my arms.
When it's over, I don't want to wonder
if I have made of my life something particular, and real.
I don't want to find myself sighing and frightened,
or full of argument.
I don't want to end up simply having visited this world.
-- Mary Oliver
Sunday, May 23, 2010
I haven't closed the book, but I'm turning the page.
This has been an interesting last several days. Something of a switch has gone on (or off, depending on perspective) inside of me- where everything has changed. Everything around me looks differently, I feel differently, and I even appear differently.. in my own awareness. I'm not the same person I was a couple of days ago. I feel so many things right now that haven't changed any of the difficult things I've been dealing/coping with lately...or my reality in any sense... but they've certainly changed me. For one of the first times in my life, I can truthfully, honestly, and securely say- the only source of this ... epiphany (if that is what this is).. Is me. Nobody else came along and flipped a switch for me, held open a door for me, dug a little deeper inside of my many, complicated layers and protective walls...or even strengthened me by believing in me....I flipped this switch on my own. I did this using my own power, under my own volition; using my own thoughts and my own energy, sufficient in and of itself.
For the greater portion of my life, I wondered why I couldn't be my own source of inspiration, light and strength. I wondered why I could only stay open for so long- without losing the will, enlightenment, motivation, or courage... and have to close the door for a long time and recover, and recuperate. I wondered, without outside influence-- why I couldn't evolve, thrive, change and grow. Outside influence being anything from environment, circumstance, traumatic event or person in my life- making or inspiring change for me, or inspiring change by being present with or around me. But I was wrong... the one thing- I've always thought I understood- were emotions, how I'm feeling, what I'm thinking- and what I need to do. I've always been opinionated, strong willed, and passionate about the things I say and do. But I was wrong, I was so, so very wrong. I am my light in every single way I wished I was, for so long. I am strong, in all of the ways I emulated in my role models and the great individuals I love and surround myself with. I have the motivation, to better myself, my life and all of the decisions I make, and the openness I allow for myself to feel joy, pain, desire and belief.. in myself. Most of all, I have the courage- to face absolutely anything- without losing sense of who I am, what I believe, and what I need to do to keep going and be happy. I can open the door to my own light, I can hold that door for as long as I need and/or want, and I can decide for myself when it's best to close it- and know that I'm doing what is best, and truly right for me. Without putting myself down for needing to rest, without criticizing and belittling myself as weak and emotionally unstable, and without selling myself short in terms of what I can do, and what I can cope with on my own. To believe in yourself is a powerful thing. "Speak softly and carry a big stick." Now I see an entirely different meaning in Roosevelt's words, and it wasn't anywhere close to what I thought it meant before. The stick, to me- is never, was never, and will never be an object or anything outside of my or any individual’s walls. The stick is me, and I am not just carrying myself, but I am.. myself and everything I need to be smart about what I need to do, how I'm going to do it, and believe in myself the entire way. Even if I don't feel that way right away, I will find the way.
Not to be mistaken, for self righteousness; I acknowledge, appreciate and am endlessly moved by the impact others have on how fruitful and fulfilling the nature of my life can be (and more often than not) is. My friends, my teachers, even those who have betrayed me have all played even larger parts than any one of them individually could have the capacity to understand. I am not alone in this world, and I am but one person, with a decidedly insignificant role in the universe as a whole. And it may be humorous to some (even myself in a strange way) for me to quote my own mother in a time like this, but as she always told me.. the only person I can control in this life is myself. That idea used to be the source of great frustration for me, being that others have the power to make my life very difficult. Not having control over your environment and the things that happen to you- can be a very daunting, intimidating and often painful thing. But the doors that open, from the freedom of that lack of control, are endless. The impact, you can have on others lives for greater or worse- is endless, when you stop trying to control everything that happens to you- or anyone else. Sometimes in this lifetime it seems I just have to take things as they come- but be decisive in what I want, how I act, and the beliefs I carry inside. When I do that, everything tends to fall into place- even if it doesn't always happen in a timely fashion, or in any sense of the order I wish it would.
There's someone in my life, who I had an incredible connection and relationship with that unfortunately ended and changed far sooner and more swiftly than I ever could have been prepared for. I am carrying a great deal of pain and grief presently, because of the loss of that friendship and connection. This person had such an extraordinary impact on my life, beyond what they could understand. Beyond what I have the capacity to fully appreciate yet, I'm very aware of this. And certainly far, far beyond anything that anyone else could pick up on simply by knowing me, this person, or the relationship we had. This person always amazed me, and would continue to do so should their presence be known in the more tangible sense. Even without them here, I still am amazed by what I find from all the things I have experienced thus far. What that person gave me were incredible and personal gifts that I have never known, and will never stop being moved by and grateful for.
There are gifts that I have discovered however, that surpass what this person had the ability to actually give me. I feel like they turned my attention towards one of the greatest gifts of all; on a path I had already started walking towards, myself. This person helped me find clarity in certain elements of my life that I never thought would ever be visible, and pieces of my life I never thought I'd be able to put together- just by being a part of my life. This person reminded me of things I had forgotten or didn't know how to listen to inside of myself, and reminded me not just that I could trust, but that I can continue to find (in myself) the light I need to survive all the darkness in myself AND in the world. I love myself now in a way I never thought possible. In that same way I care for and love others- in that way that I want to watch out for them, protect them, help them be happy and thrive. I want that for myself now. I care for myself in the way that I push myself when I need courage, and I comfort myself when I need to lay low for a while. I handle myself calmly, and soothingly in the face of chaos and trauma-- and I speak firmly in times of confusion and impulsive temptations. (as much as I can, I'm still improving) I hear myself when I have negative thinking, and I call myself on it. I know better now- I know who I am, I know what I need- I know what I can do- and I know what is wonderful about the person that I am. I don't let myself get away with the same abuse that I've shown myself all my life. I deserve better, and for the first time I can say that I actually believe it. We all need to accept and acknowledge that the way you treat yourself is synonymous with the way you will exist in any relationship, connection AND important event in your life. You can never find a truly fulfilling experience, girlfriend, boyfriend- or a deep, enlightening friendship-- without first being that- for yourself. Being open to being your own friend, appreciating what you do, how you feel, and what you think. Not just harboring your feelings and way of being in the world, but actually supporting it, believing it and nurturing your own abilities and awareness. Being open to the gifts that you can give yourself simply by truly appreciating everything around you. The joy; in every conversation you have with a close friend. The nuances; in the interpretation of a great book you can't put down. The colors; in a day filled with laughter and memories- the brightness of any day where you know you will always remember everyone in it, what everyone was doing, and everything that was said.
Pain is for and with everyone, we all experience it, we all struggle with it- and often can feel completely inept and held back by it. But, the important piece that is often missed altogether- is that the same thing goes for the other side of the spectrum.. joy. Joy is an experience that takes a good deal of trust, vulnerability, and willingness to take risks and make difficult decisions. JUST like dealing with and coping with pain. In order to be able to experience, let go of, learn from, and appreciate joy- we need to be able to experience, let go of, learn from and appreciate the pain too. Both, will return- and both will often cause the same confusion and feelings of not having the capacity to understand or even grasp for any extended period of time. But both, will continue to deliver the same amount of experience, passion and reward of being fully alive and unapologetically grateful for life itself and all that comes with it.
For the greater portion of my life, I wondered why I couldn't be my own source of inspiration, light and strength. I wondered why I could only stay open for so long- without losing the will, enlightenment, motivation, or courage... and have to close the door for a long time and recover, and recuperate. I wondered, without outside influence-- why I couldn't evolve, thrive, change and grow. Outside influence being anything from environment, circumstance, traumatic event or person in my life- making or inspiring change for me, or inspiring change by being present with or around me. But I was wrong... the one thing- I've always thought I understood- were emotions, how I'm feeling, what I'm thinking- and what I need to do. I've always been opinionated, strong willed, and passionate about the things I say and do. But I was wrong, I was so, so very wrong. I am my light in every single way I wished I was, for so long. I am strong, in all of the ways I emulated in my role models and the great individuals I love and surround myself with. I have the motivation, to better myself, my life and all of the decisions I make, and the openness I allow for myself to feel joy, pain, desire and belief.. in myself. Most of all, I have the courage- to face absolutely anything- without losing sense of who I am, what I believe, and what I need to do to keep going and be happy. I can open the door to my own light, I can hold that door for as long as I need and/or want, and I can decide for myself when it's best to close it- and know that I'm doing what is best, and truly right for me. Without putting myself down for needing to rest, without criticizing and belittling myself as weak and emotionally unstable, and without selling myself short in terms of what I can do, and what I can cope with on my own. To believe in yourself is a powerful thing. "Speak softly and carry a big stick." Now I see an entirely different meaning in Roosevelt's words, and it wasn't anywhere close to what I thought it meant before. The stick, to me- is never, was never, and will never be an object or anything outside of my or any individual’s walls. The stick is me, and I am not just carrying myself, but I am.. myself and everything I need to be smart about what I need to do, how I'm going to do it, and believe in myself the entire way. Even if I don't feel that way right away, I will find the way.
Not to be mistaken, for self righteousness; I acknowledge, appreciate and am endlessly moved by the impact others have on how fruitful and fulfilling the nature of my life can be (and more often than not) is. My friends, my teachers, even those who have betrayed me have all played even larger parts than any one of them individually could have the capacity to understand. I am not alone in this world, and I am but one person, with a decidedly insignificant role in the universe as a whole. And it may be humorous to some (even myself in a strange way) for me to quote my own mother in a time like this, but as she always told me.. the only person I can control in this life is myself. That idea used to be the source of great frustration for me, being that others have the power to make my life very difficult. Not having control over your environment and the things that happen to you- can be a very daunting, intimidating and often painful thing. But the doors that open, from the freedom of that lack of control, are endless. The impact, you can have on others lives for greater or worse- is endless, when you stop trying to control everything that happens to you- or anyone else. Sometimes in this lifetime it seems I just have to take things as they come- but be decisive in what I want, how I act, and the beliefs I carry inside. When I do that, everything tends to fall into place- even if it doesn't always happen in a timely fashion, or in any sense of the order I wish it would.
There's someone in my life, who I had an incredible connection and relationship with that unfortunately ended and changed far sooner and more swiftly than I ever could have been prepared for. I am carrying a great deal of pain and grief presently, because of the loss of that friendship and connection. This person had such an extraordinary impact on my life, beyond what they could understand. Beyond what I have the capacity to fully appreciate yet, I'm very aware of this. And certainly far, far beyond anything that anyone else could pick up on simply by knowing me, this person, or the relationship we had. This person always amazed me, and would continue to do so should their presence be known in the more tangible sense. Even without them here, I still am amazed by what I find from all the things I have experienced thus far. What that person gave me were incredible and personal gifts that I have never known, and will never stop being moved by and grateful for.
There are gifts that I have discovered however, that surpass what this person had the ability to actually give me. I feel like they turned my attention towards one of the greatest gifts of all; on a path I had already started walking towards, myself. This person helped me find clarity in certain elements of my life that I never thought would ever be visible, and pieces of my life I never thought I'd be able to put together- just by being a part of my life. This person reminded me of things I had forgotten or didn't know how to listen to inside of myself, and reminded me not just that I could trust, but that I can continue to find (in myself) the light I need to survive all the darkness in myself AND in the world. I love myself now in a way I never thought possible. In that same way I care for and love others- in that way that I want to watch out for them, protect them, help them be happy and thrive. I want that for myself now. I care for myself in the way that I push myself when I need courage, and I comfort myself when I need to lay low for a while. I handle myself calmly, and soothingly in the face of chaos and trauma-- and I speak firmly in times of confusion and impulsive temptations. (as much as I can, I'm still improving) I hear myself when I have negative thinking, and I call myself on it. I know better now- I know who I am, I know what I need- I know what I can do- and I know what is wonderful about the person that I am. I don't let myself get away with the same abuse that I've shown myself all my life. I deserve better, and for the first time I can say that I actually believe it. We all need to accept and acknowledge that the way you treat yourself is synonymous with the way you will exist in any relationship, connection AND important event in your life. You can never find a truly fulfilling experience, girlfriend, boyfriend- or a deep, enlightening friendship-- without first being that- for yourself. Being open to being your own friend, appreciating what you do, how you feel, and what you think. Not just harboring your feelings and way of being in the world, but actually supporting it, believing it and nurturing your own abilities and awareness. Being open to the gifts that you can give yourself simply by truly appreciating everything around you. The joy; in every conversation you have with a close friend. The nuances; in the interpretation of a great book you can't put down. The colors; in a day filled with laughter and memories- the brightness of any day where you know you will always remember everyone in it, what everyone was doing, and everything that was said.
Pain is for and with everyone, we all experience it, we all struggle with it- and often can feel completely inept and held back by it. But, the important piece that is often missed altogether- is that the same thing goes for the other side of the spectrum.. joy. Joy is an experience that takes a good deal of trust, vulnerability, and willingness to take risks and make difficult decisions. JUST like dealing with and coping with pain. In order to be able to experience, let go of, learn from, and appreciate joy- we need to be able to experience, let go of, learn from and appreciate the pain too. Both, will return- and both will often cause the same confusion and feelings of not having the capacity to understand or even grasp for any extended period of time. But both, will continue to deliver the same amount of experience, passion and reward of being fully alive and unapologetically grateful for life itself and all that comes with it.
Thursday, May 20, 2010
Breathing Phoenix
When you left,
everyone expected me to break.
Me and my big old heart,
what could be left, once she's gotten up?
No one ever uttered those words aloud
but I hear them in the quieted tones and the
muttered glances like amplified whispers.
Sure, I've learned a thing or two about pain
this time around with a broken heart..
I lost a lover and my friend, who remains
inside me, despite her departure.
I've encountered a darkness I had never seen when
I lost the life I shared with you.
But I've learned a thing or two about me as well,
about what is inside me, beyond what you can tell
beyond what others see, or can even hear
underneath my heartbeat, underneath my chest.
Outside of my bleeding heart, yet holding it close.
It pushes me to stand, when my heart wants to rest.
It gets me out of bed, when I want to shut the world out.
It gives me back my smile, when I struggle with my fears.
It encourages me to do my best, when I feel beaten down.
It gives me comfort when I need it the most,
and it understands when my anger roasts me.
It picks me up when I've lost my ground, and
and gives me faith far beyond what is "sound."
It's the fire that feeds me when my body runs cold,
and it's the mist that cools me when my passion burns.
It's the reason I stand, and permits me to stand down.
It fuels me when I lose my will, and shows me how to stop when I've had my fill.
It's the reason I'm alive; despite what I do, how much I get hurt
or how much I miss you.
It's stronger than my intuition and even my heart
the spirit inside me will never die.
everyone expected me to break.
Me and my big old heart,
what could be left, once she's gotten up?
No one ever uttered those words aloud
but I hear them in the quieted tones and the
muttered glances like amplified whispers.
Sure, I've learned a thing or two about pain
this time around with a broken heart..
I lost a lover and my friend, who remains
inside me, despite her departure.
I've encountered a darkness I had never seen when
I lost the life I shared with you.
But I've learned a thing or two about me as well,
about what is inside me, beyond what you can tell
beyond what others see, or can even hear
underneath my heartbeat, underneath my chest.
Outside of my bleeding heart, yet holding it close.
It pushes me to stand, when my heart wants to rest.
It gets me out of bed, when I want to shut the world out.
It gives me back my smile, when I struggle with my fears.
It encourages me to do my best, when I feel beaten down.
It gives me comfort when I need it the most,
and it understands when my anger roasts me.
It picks me up when I've lost my ground, and
and gives me faith far beyond what is "sound."
It's the fire that feeds me when my body runs cold,
and it's the mist that cools me when my passion burns.
It's the reason I stand, and permits me to stand down.
It fuels me when I lose my will, and shows me how to stop when I've had my fill.
It's the reason I'm alive; despite what I do, how much I get hurt
or how much I miss you.
It's stronger than my intuition and even my heart
the spirit inside me will never die.
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
Sometimes you just need a little affirmation....
There are weeks where I feel as if I'm getting taken on a bruise cruise with Mother Nature. One minute I'm basking in the sun, smiling and beaming with the warmth and enrichment of a beautiful day. The next moment I could be hit by a linebacker gust of wind and blown right off my feet. Next minute I get poured on, but I look up and pray that the water will wash all my stress, pain, and frustration away. The next, it's freezing and it's hard to go outside for my daily walk. The next, there's no wind at all- and it's a perfect balance between warmth and chill- where its warm enough that I won't need a jacket, but cool enough so I won't break a sweat. There are those days when the weather seems to take a day off... and I can just sit outside and have no interference at all, and just be able to find my own air current and disappear into my own imagination .. away from the daily rumblings of work, matters of the heart and mind... etc etc. Now, you might say that this is just because I live in New England... :) which is true..but when it is synonymous with my internal world and the constant change... is that really a factor of my environment on the outside?
If I hadn't dealt with the stress that I've been dealing with lately- I'd probably say yes. The environment and nature play a HUGE role in the changing of seasons inside ourselves. However, sometimes it seems my moods are a precursor, or just a parallel theme to the weather around me. I want to be outside, inside, up in my head, in the sun, in my bed... wherever I choose to be, and find that peaceful day again. That peace is within me I just have to direct my energy towards finding it. So much of my happiness depends on my connection with inner peace and balance. Sometimes I need to remind myself what to focus on. It's not all about perspective, but we all can use a little encouragement sometimes. I have what I need, all within myself... to survive, to be happy, and to live a good life. We all do, it can be a scary task, and it can feel very lonely. Life often is. Sometimes I forget how strong I am.
Just a little recommendation for reading, if you are looking for that balance within yourself, these have brought me so much peace. OK, two recommendations: Tao Te Ching, and the Celestine Prophecy.
NOTE: For those interested there is a hardcover version of Tao Te Ching, which is the version I own myself. It is ABSOLUTELY gorgeous and I recommend at least looking at it at a bookstore even if you choose to purchase the paperback instead. The illustrations are amazing and really give you a whole different view inside the peaceful verses and imagery. :) Enjoy! (see link below)
Tao Te Ching (HARDCOVER VERSION)
If I hadn't dealt with the stress that I've been dealing with lately- I'd probably say yes. The environment and nature play a HUGE role in the changing of seasons inside ourselves. However, sometimes it seems my moods are a precursor, or just a parallel theme to the weather around me. I want to be outside, inside, up in my head, in the sun, in my bed... wherever I choose to be, and find that peaceful day again. That peace is within me I just have to direct my energy towards finding it. So much of my happiness depends on my connection with inner peace and balance. Sometimes I need to remind myself what to focus on. It's not all about perspective, but we all can use a little encouragement sometimes. I have what I need, all within myself... to survive, to be happy, and to live a good life. We all do, it can be a scary task, and it can feel very lonely. Life often is. Sometimes I forget how strong I am.
Just a little recommendation for reading, if you are looking for that balance within yourself, these have brought me so much peace. OK, two recommendations: Tao Te Ching, and the Celestine Prophecy.
NOTE: For those interested there is a hardcover version of Tao Te Ching, which is the version I own myself. It is ABSOLUTELY gorgeous and I recommend at least looking at it at a bookstore even if you choose to purchase the paperback instead. The illustrations are amazing and really give you a whole different view inside the peaceful verses and imagery. :) Enjoy! (see link below)
Tao Te Ching (HARDCOVER VERSION)
Sunday, May 9, 2010
"Where you used to be, there is a hole in the world, which I find myself constantly walking around in the daytime, and falling in at night. I miss you like hell." ~Edna St Vincent Millay
Just bought a great album, if you are a fan of Dixie Chicks you'll definitely want to check the Court Yard Hounds out. Even if you aren't, I am a huge fan of singing harmonies and to hear these two, it's just gorgeous. I think it's great that they are sisters as well, it gives them a chemistry that you can't really replicate. The album deals with a lot of issues around loss and coping, and that is always something that catches my attention. I'm fascinated by the way people cope with challenges in their lives, as well as how they navigate through struggles towards being happy.
Certain music tends to come into my life at certain times. I'm not always a believer that everything happens for a reason, there are some things in life that reason just can't touch. But I do think that happens for a reason. Music inspires almost everything that I do, artistically speaking. 99% of my poetry is rhythmically based, inspired and/or infused... and a lot of what I listen to helps me interpret what's inside of my heart and mind that I can't seem to or don't want to vocalize. A lot of musicians will say that they make music to connect to others, and not only to express themselves. I feel I write the same way, first; to connect to myself, and second to connect to others who've lived through some of the same things. I've got a very, very big heart- and love with the best of them. I've got a never resting head, that's always thinking, processing, reasoning, imagining, and both of these parts of me can be exhausting at times. I'm an outgoing person, and very honest- sometimes to a fault. Most people who know me, know that I love to express myself and love a good long conversation. But what most don't understand is just how much I hold inside, and not always by choice. There are days where I just feel like I speak a different language, and that there isn't someone who truly understands me. This is where the writing comes from, and often times music helps me locate myself, and a new path inside the places in myself it is hard to visit. I encourage you all to do the same, find the things that bring out and encourage your expression.
"I am tired, Beloved,
of chafing my heart against
the want of you;
of squeezing it into little inkdrops,
And posting it."
~Amy Lowell, "The Letter"
Have any expressions or ideas to share? Please feel free to submit poems or other forms of art! My email address is on my profile.
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
You can't ever truly grieve unless you've ever truly loved.
This must be why they call heartbreak warfare.
When you come home wounded and spent, you have to
stand up and face your darkness, and still have enough left inside
to win.
I'm standing in the face of the dark
and I feel so alone, so lost, so unsure.
Has my heart failed me?
Have I failed my heart?
Someone asked me "how are you today?" and just the
question, made me cry. Thinking, "I'm struggling."
And then feeling even worse inside.
As the tears were streaming down my face
my head started steaming and the tears turned to rage
I pounded my fists, again and again
crying and yelling, until my hands ached.
Then I sat there wondering why I got so mad
Was it that I was still crying? Was it that
it hurts too much? I'm not sure why I'm angry.
But it's eating me inside.
My emotions are like the ocean shore, with
a heavy undertow. Sometimes if I stand too close,
they'll pull me right under the blanket of waves...
and wash over me everytime I come up for air.
If I look away for a second, or stay a bit too long
the water overwhelms me, and I'm finding it hard to swim.
I don't know what hurts worse.. to find true love then lose it,
or discover the one you love, doesn't love you the way you love them.
I'm not sure what is hurting me the most
I'm not sure what is keeping me up at night.
I'm not sure why, not an hour goes by without my thinking of her.
Yet I shouldn't be surprised, since the day I met her,
I've never stopped thinking of her. She's changed my life.
Now, in a split second... the source of all of this great change
within me and around me. The one I wanted to share a future with,
the one I shared my heart with, the one that I shared my life with...
is gone.. in the blink of an eye, my love, is gone. I love a pocket of emptiness where she used to reside, here by my side. She is no longer.
How quickly things do change....don't blink, because it's gone.
When you come home wounded and spent, you have to
stand up and face your darkness, and still have enough left inside
to win.
I'm standing in the face of the dark
and I feel so alone, so lost, so unsure.
Has my heart failed me?
Have I failed my heart?
Someone asked me "how are you today?" and just the
question, made me cry. Thinking, "I'm struggling."
And then feeling even worse inside.
As the tears were streaming down my face
my head started steaming and the tears turned to rage
I pounded my fists, again and again
crying and yelling, until my hands ached.
Then I sat there wondering why I got so mad
Was it that I was still crying? Was it that
it hurts too much? I'm not sure why I'm angry.
But it's eating me inside.
My emotions are like the ocean shore, with
a heavy undertow. Sometimes if I stand too close,
they'll pull me right under the blanket of waves...
and wash over me everytime I come up for air.
If I look away for a second, or stay a bit too long
the water overwhelms me, and I'm finding it hard to swim.
I don't know what hurts worse.. to find true love then lose it,
or discover the one you love, doesn't love you the way you love them.
I'm not sure what is hurting me the most
I'm not sure what is keeping me up at night.
I'm not sure why, not an hour goes by without my thinking of her.
Yet I shouldn't be surprised, since the day I met her,
I've never stopped thinking of her. She's changed my life.
Now, in a split second... the source of all of this great change
within me and around me. The one I wanted to share a future with,
the one I shared my heart with, the one that I shared my life with...
is gone.. in the blink of an eye, my love, is gone. I love a pocket of emptiness where she used to reside, here by my side. She is no longer.
How quickly things do change....don't blink, because it's gone.
I want you to be happy, even if it’s not with me.
I think the world of your heart, your soul and mind
I’ll never wish you harm, or ever regret how much I tried
But you should know, you’ll never find a stronger, truer love
Than what you felt from me.
I know that your world isn't coming together
in the fashion that you wish it would
but I have faith you'll find the pieces
and put them in their rightful place.
Don't lose sense of your heart, beneath your mind
con mi futuro a mis pies, todavía mi corazón está vacío sin ti
Saturday, February 20, 2010
Together We
Together We
evict our sorrows
together we
arrange for them to meet
together we
log all our burning questions
together we
create a little haven of peace.
Together We
confront our demons
together we
invite them to speak
together we
share our deepest secrets
together we
decide when to put them to sleep.
Together We
yield a key
together we
decide to let each other in
together we
honor what defines us
together we
celebrate from within.
Together We
embrace our differences
together we
propel upon our love
together we
inspire dreams flight
together we
give faith a place to land.
evict our sorrows
together we
arrange for them to meet
together we
log all our burning questions
together we
create a little haven of peace.
Together We
confront our demons
together we
invite them to speak
together we
share our deepest secrets
together we
decide when to put them to sleep.
Together We
yield a key
together we
decide to let each other in
together we
honor what defines us
together we
celebrate from within.
Together We
embrace our differences
together we
propel upon our love
together we
inspire dreams flight
together we
give faith a place to land.
Thursday, January 14, 2010
Faith
6/18,7/6/09,1/14/10
Sometimes when I close my eyes
I can hear a distant hum
and all my thoughts begin to slow down
and I long to find out where its coming from.
A familiar place, my relative sound
a reminder I can smell and taste.
All wrapped up in this shadowed hum
as my thoughts become people walking outside of me
as faint as their voices, I'm listening to me.
But yet this dissonance comes from far away
from nothing I've seen or experienced to date
the source of the rumbling is foreign to me
yet memories surround me, swept up in its wake.
(to be continued...)
(a meditation on the message and mystery of our memories and dreams... after reading Celestine Prophecy and the Tenth Insight)
Sometimes when I close my eyes
I can hear a distant hum
and all my thoughts begin to slow down
and I long to find out where its coming from.
A familiar place, my relative sound
a reminder I can smell and taste.
All wrapped up in this shadowed hum
as my thoughts become people walking outside of me
as faint as their voices, I'm listening to me.
But yet this dissonance comes from far away
from nothing I've seen or experienced to date
the source of the rumbling is foreign to me
yet memories surround me, swept up in its wake.
(to be continued...)
(a meditation on the message and mystery of our memories and dreams... after reading Celestine Prophecy and the Tenth Insight)
Friday, January 8, 2010
Just One Step Away
12/8/09, 1/5&7/10
Baby won't you sing my song
can you walk my way
and lay your body next to mine.
Life doesn't want me to rest
she tosses waves at my shore
blows indecision in my ears
and sends doubts through the rain.
But I can't rearrange the way
the blood runs through my veins
any more than the way the wind blows my hair
and the water rinses me clean.
just as quickly as the waves hit my chest
the sand and the stones wash out with the tide
I can stay and pick through the seashells and weeds
and look out to sea for the beckoning sails
at times I just stand and look at my toes
and watch as the ground is sifting in rows
earth is moving beneath me, nothing is still
i feel my heart beating inside me, forcing its will.
Baby, won't you walk my way
lay your body next to mine
let's erase the time.
when the night falls on the coast
the air reeks of memories, jasmine and brine
the energy is lifted, beneath every breath
leaves one of your thoughts gifted, to stay with the dunes.
Baby won't you sing my song
can you walk my way
and lay your body next to mine.
Life doesn't want me to rest
she tosses waves at my shore
blows indecision in my ears
and sends doubts through the rain.
But I can't rearrange the way
the blood runs through my veins
any more than the way the wind blows my hair
and the water rinses me clean.
just as quickly as the waves hit my chest
the sand and the stones wash out with the tide
I can stay and pick through the seashells and weeds
and look out to sea for the beckoning sails
at times I just stand and look at my toes
and watch as the ground is sifting in rows
earth is moving beneath me, nothing is still
i feel my heart beating inside me, forcing its will.
Baby, won't you walk my way
lay your body next to mine
let's erase the time.
when the night falls on the coast
the air reeks of memories, jasmine and brine
the energy is lifted, beneath every breath
leaves one of your thoughts gifted, to stay with the dunes.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)