Carol A. Hand
Let me take just a moment
to put aside the chaos of the world
seeping into my soul
Remembering
a recurring childhood dream
soaring above the earth
simply watching
with compassionate detachment
as people went about their busy lives
Remembering
my safe wooded place
sitting beneath a large maple
on a soft mossy knoll
by a little brook
sunlight and shadows shifting
joining my voice in song
with rustling leaves and birds
in harmony with the water
brushing over and around stones
in the small singing stream
wondering how many years
it would take for the rocks
to dissolve into rich soil
Breathing in
feeling the presence of peace and light
and sending out gratitude
for the beauty and wonder of life
then and now
even during days that seem darker
***
***
I love the last few lines – an important reminder these days.
LikeLiked by 3 people
Thank you so much for your thoughtful comments. ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
Such a life shaping dream! Yet so hard to stay in touch with that deep and abiding knowing…..
LikeLiked by 3 people
It’s always a gift to hear from you, Michael, as are the times when I’m able to remember and reflect about dreams and places that bring solace. Thank you for your thoughtful comments. ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Such wise thoughts. Happiness your way too 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you so much for your kind words and blessings, Alok. Sending blessings to you and your family. ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
Beautiful…follows the meditation from my morning yoga class. Thank you for this beautiful expansion of that experience. 🙏🏻❤️
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you so much for sharing your meditation insights, Carrie, and for your kind words. ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wonderful & profound, dear Carol! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you so much for your lovely comments, Maria, and for your great post about public education! ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
Any time, dear Carol! I’m glad you liked the post. Your opinion is very precious for me as you’re the teacher & know it far better than me. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I continue to learn what education means and requires from students, Maria. I am so grateful for the opportunity to merely experiment with ways to unlock and inspire critical thinking and creativity. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Great! Lucky your students are to have a teacher of the kind! It’s so difficult to find the talented teacher nowadays. And do you teach Queennie anything? 🙂 🙂 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I think he teaches me, Maria. I respond when he cocks his head to one side and then the other and gently moves his wings when I speak to him. How could one’s heart fail to respond?
LikeLiked by 1 person
:-):-):-) True! Nature is our best teacher. I’m impressed with their intelligence: so little creatures, so cunning & smart.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Greatly needed sentiments, beautiful last verse 💜
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you so much for your thoughtful, lovely comments, Chris. ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
Beautiful, Carol! 🙂 xo
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you so much for your kind words, Bette. ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
Really beautiful Carol 💚
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you so much for your kind and lovely comments, Karen ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
simply beautiful how your poem flows
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you so much for your thoughtful, lovely comments, John.
LikeLiked by 1 person
My pleasure, Mary. I happened upon your blog via twitter & Lara Trace Hentz. You have a wonderful place here.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you for kind words, J Matthew. I’m grateful to Lara for the connection and for leading me to your lovely poetry.
LikeLiked by 1 person
So well written. These are the days that call for detachment and compassion. I can’t imagine having one without the other.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you for your kind and thoughtful comments, Sha’Tara. ❤
LikeLike
Breathing as I hold my breath
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ah, such lovely comments, Bluetrues. Chi miigwetch.
LikeLike
Lovely, Carol. Reading your poem makes me almost feel this place. groetjes, Hanneke
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you so much for your kind and lovely comments, Hanneke. ❤
LikeLike
Incredibly beautiful, dear Carol. ❤ ❤ Cher xo
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you so much for your thoughtful, lovely comments, Cher. ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
I enjoyed your musings, Carol. May I wish you the convenience of breaking more frequently into such contemplation, and recollect it for the uplift of your many admirers. Be well…
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Raj, it’s always such a pleasure to hear from you and read your eloquent, thought-provoking posts. I send my gratitude for your thoughtful comments and blessings and send blessings to you as well. ❤
LikeLike
I like your blog 😊.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you for your kind words, Loshame.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Take a look on my last post and follow me if you like it 😀.
LikeLike
Beautiful, poignant, speaks to the inner me.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you for your lovely comments, Paul. You work speaks to me deeply, too. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Blessings 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Blessings to you, too, Paul. ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
“. . . even during days that seem darker.”
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you for your thoughtful comment, Allan. There are, indeed, days that seem darker, and yet beauty is nonetheless present then, too. 🙂
LikeLike
Carol, a beautiful poem that brings me to the wonderful serene calm memories of childhood when living in the moment everyday just was the way of life…I love the reminder about soaring high, learning about your safe wooded place beneath the maple trees, recalling my many exploits in the streams near home. Reading this I definitely managed ‘to put aside the chaos of the world’. Your final stanza is a touching call to us all. Warmest wishes, Carol. 😀❤️
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Annika, thank you so much for your thoughtful, lovely comments. I love hearing about your childhood memories and I’m deeply grateful that you were able to “put aside the chaos of the world.” Sending my best wishes to you. ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sometimes beauty comes from even the darkest of day. Well written and motivational:)
LikeLike
Thank you so much for your kind and lovely comments, Thrifty Campers. ❤
LikeLike
such a dear memory
to be kept alive
in our collective
consciousness, dear Carol 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear David, thank you for such kind and lovely comments and for always giving voice to the strengths and beauty you see in others. ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
I remember that safe wooded place.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Bob, it’s always a gift to hear from you. I’m not surprised to hear that you had a safe wooded place in your youth, too. ❤
LikeLike
A safe wooded place … breathing in the peace … I’m with you their Carol! Thanks, this is beautifully inspiring.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you for your kind and lovely comments, Denzil, and for echoing the peace of a safe wooded place. ❤
LikeLike
Such a wonderful reflective poem that connects us to our thoughts… really beautiful and well expressed, Carol. ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you so much for your lovely comments, Iris. ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
What a beautiful poem of praise and gratitude to Mother Nature.
Miriam
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you so much for your thoughtful, lovely comments, Miriam.
LikeLike
Carol, I see you followed one of my blogs, but I never write on that anymore. Try following this one….www.artistrywithwords.com….thank you!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you for letting me know about your newest blog, Billy. 🙂
LikeLike
Beautiful writing, my new friend. We all need that quiet, safe place where we can set free our worries and find moments of peace.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you so much for your kind and lovely comments, Bill, and for sharing your important insights about having a safe place. It’s something I sincerely wish all people had.
LikeLike