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Thank You by Leslie Caplan

Often when I write, it is a stream that comes out of me without knowing exactly why or for whom I am speaking of, or to…

This one came out like that. My intention was to write an entirely different piece from a prompt that had nothing to do with what I wrote here.  The first line came out. A gratitude for nothing specific that became very specific.  It rolled out of me as a deep appreciation for everyone and everything that has crossed or merged with my path. This is what I love about writing. It writes me on the page and each time, I am more revealed to myself. 

Thank You
by Leslie Caplan

Thank you for that
For the song you played out on my page
landing in my vein
The one that writes itself sane
I thank you

for taking the road all rugged and mud-slid

clearing it out

straightening the line

so I can walk along side

with my eyes closed

My eyes

Closed

Seeping into smoky blue like
a misted forest stream
breathing like it's got a pair of lungs
the size of mountains
I stand naked 
cloaked in skin
Bones softening to earth and turning
into roots that dig in
Dig right in

Thank you for that
for the way you respond
Your wet lips shining with
what I evoked in you
How my lyric struck a lyric in you
and you carved out words
into the sand
and let the ocean write your poem
that moved like the water itself
breathed me like
the air itself swirled
into a landing inside my chest
Thank you for that

For grabbing my hand when I was turning left
Even though the map said to go right
Thank you
My head was in the clouds
and I thought my freedom meant
that I had to take flight
until you showed me
it's right here on the ground

I thank you for that

For the way you lit my incense
and prayed a breath so deep into me
my belly filled with waters
growing seeds thrown by
so many

Thank you
You handed me a mound of fertilizer
and soft strong hands to pat it down
into the earth surrounding me
I grew whole and twisted like vines that reach
and reach
and reach as
they root in spirals on the ground

Thanks for that
I only need a little rain
to keep me growing
No downpour, flood or tidal wave
Just a little rain
coming off the west wind
bringing waves and ripples of
my billowy sky
and wet, jagged hills
smoothed out by my own sorrow healed


Leslie Caplan is a passionate writer and has been published internationally. She is a professional Writing Coach and editor who encourages and evokes the strongest, deepest expression of the writer's voice and heart.  She also facilitates writing workshops where writing is used as a tool for revealing and healing.  She lives in the small town of Ashland, Oregon and you can connect with her on her website 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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