REACHING – POETRY

ANTON PAVLENKO LANDSCAPE OIL PAINTER POEM

REACHING

When I bent down to pick up the pieces of my life,

I shoved my hands into the black soot of death and

reached through the bitter haze of unspent emotions,

to find fragments of me, inert, motionless and suffocating.

*

When I bent down to pick up the pieces of my mind,

I found a tiny girl child, wrapped like a mummy

in wordless memories weightier than her

tiny shoulders could carry. Though carry she did.

*

When I bent down to pick up the pieces of my soul,

I found an embryo who bargained with the devil,

who gave up choice in order to live, an uneven exchange

that lasted nearly a lifetime. She kept her promise.

*

When I bent down to pick up the pieces of my will,

I found a stomping mad two-year old who knew

her own mind, and suffered the consequences

for the knowledge. She stomped anyway when she could.

*

When I bent down to pick up the pieces of my heart,

I found an innocent, carefree child with

a passionate love for all things seen and

a deep reverence for the unseen.

*

When I bent down to pick up the pieces of my body,

I found a source of energy and flow

that I never knew existed, for it had been

traded at birth…or before.

*

When I bent down to pick up the pieces of my spirit,

I found light and power, guidance and vision,

angels and guides  a thread through my life

never to be broken.

*

When I bent down to pick up the pieces of my life,

I put down the yoke of fear, set aside the sorrow,

and abandoned the dark rivulets of despair.

I cancelled the bargain with the devil.

*

Now, I no longer bend down. I reach up instead.

Outstretched arms, fingers pointing toward the sky.

I stand anchored, connected, grounded in the earth,

heart wide open, assembled.

All the important pieces collected.

© Dorothy Sander


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13 Replies to “REACHING – POETRY”

  1. Dorothy, I loved this poem. I’m not usually a fan of poetry, but this was lovely, and poignant. Thanks for sharing it with us.

  2. This poem is one I will always keep as it expresses my unexpressed so beautifully! I have often felt the being bent and the journey being that of reaching I struggle with words and always look forward to reading yours.
    I offended wondered what I would want read at my end time celebration…this is it.
    Thank you so much for all your sharing your heart!

    1. I am deeply touched by your words, Marcia. Sharing my heart helps me heal and when it helps another it is always an unexpected blessing for which I feel a very deep gratitude…a gratitude for the completed circle…and for being a part of something so much bigger than myself. Sending you love, Dorothy

  3. Dorothy – my first response after reading was a deep exhalation and sigh! What a lovely poem holding not only your truth but so many of ours. The key is the shift – the knowledge and acceptance that it is time to reach up instead of down – then marvelous things happen! Thank you for the reminder and for sharing your gift!

  4. Loved this poem! I thought I knew how to express myself in poetry until reading your poem:) And thanks for liking my blog post.

    Blessings,
    Clara

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