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FACE THE TEMPEST by Victoria Lantz

As uncomfortable as suffering can be, I’ve discovered its ability to connect me to others...

 Whether it be physical, emotional, mental, or spiritual, pain is the universal experience, surpassing all things that have the tendency to separate us.

This poem was written during a dark night of the soul, a time of intense anguish when I felt isolated not only from others, but also from myself and from God. Yet at this intense low point, when I was enveloped in shadow, I stumbled upon a surprising truth. 

In the midst of my pain, I was overwhelmed with a feeling of being held not only by God, but by all of humanity’s suffering. I could rest inside this unity and be comforted.


Face of the Tempest
by Victoria Lantz

She dropped what she was doing and ran to the village as soon as she heard the moody rumble of thunder. She climbed into the hut, catching her breath in the space’s center before falling onto her back and arranging her body in a star. Staring wide eyed at the thatched roof above her, she summoned every turmoil within her and let her chest rise with each arrival. She could feel the storm responding, drawing closer as she brought more and more pain to the surface. When the squall was directly overhead, she closed her eyes and waited until she felt rain on her face. Upon opening her eyes and looking directly into the face of the tempest, she saw not only her pain, but also the world’s collective pain. The oneness of it all was somehow comforting.

(This poem originally appeared in Victoria's newly released book Longing, found here) 


Victoria Lantz is a creative with a desperate need to bring things to life. All of her work reflects this. Whether through storytelling, art, or gatherings, she has discovered one of her connections to the Divine is found within the creative process. She is the author of God Is: An Accidental Mystic Discovers the Nature of God, Longing: Poems from a Mystic Heart, and Union: Mystic Musings and Stories. She also hosts the God Is Podcast available on iTunes and the You Have Been Invited Meditation Series available on Insight Timer. Additionally, she helps others embrace their spiritual journeys through her Let’s Get Real! gatherings and in one-on-one listening sessions. Currently living on Sanibel Island off the coast of southwest Florida, Victoria can typically be found strolling the beach or playing the ukulele. Visit her website at VictoriaLantz.com.

~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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