HEART MATTERS by Carolyn Riker

When I write sometimes the words flow easily. Lately it’s been more of a staccato…

My rhythm lingers in the rests as I reflect in the silence. I’ve been reflecting intensely for a month now and I think I understand why.

This poem is about various relationships. Like many of our interactions it can get confusing when it appears one way and then seemingly changes into another. It is about boundaries. Where do we begin and end?

"Ultimately, of course, there is no other,

And you are always meeting yourself."

~ Eckhart Tolle~

When I settle my mind, and I let down the fences placed to protect my heart, I can see the lichen that clings. Messages can be sent and learned by everyone we meet.

"Be grateful for whoever comes,

because each has been sent as a guide from beyond."

~Rumi~

What we do with those moments of insight can be equally heart wrenching, expansive, liberating, joyful and a bit terrifying. Yet, letting go of what holds us back is as necessary as pruning roses. New growth will come in the eclipses of our heart. Blocking the growth only delays the progress and adds another cage around the heart. This poem reflects an inner journey of exploring boundaries, old and new.

Heart Matters
by Carolyn Riker

Sorting through the rubble

I met a rock

Stable and real

My own world dark and crumbled

Obstacles plenty but replaced by stepping stones

And I grew

Inner resilience was ignited

Heart mattered

Gratitude

Mind learned to dance with the Moon

As a connection grew the boundaries became diffused.

Spiritual fate

The storm became rough

Waves crashed

Patterns repeat

Imploding and exploding

An ebb and flow of old mixed with new

Fear and betrayal

Eroded the core

Exposed the Ego

An avalanche of mistrust

Set off echoes of the past

The tides uncovered the source

An abandoned child emerged shaken and hurt

Where boundaries of consistency were few.

The rock was a mirror of me.

It has now returned to the sea.

A weathered worn pebble remains on the beach

I carry it in the pocket of my heart.

I reconnected a lost part of me reflected in you.

Carolyn Riker, MA is a private tutor, writer and a poet. She is also a Certified Instructor for Journal Writing and provides workshops. Carolyn finds comfort and balance in her kids, nature, music and her sweet cat Copper. She can be seen sipping soy lattes and nibbling on dark chocolate. She’s a regular columnist for Rebelle Society and Elephant Journal. She also has a personal blog here. You can also visit Carolyn’s facebook page here.

~If you are interested in seeing your poetry appear in this blog, or submitting a poem by a woman that has inspired you, please click here for submission guidelines. I greatly look forward to hearing from you!~

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