Journey of the Heart

Meditation IV by Ann Metlay Breathe in. passage to my lungs, forked path that meanders toward the depths of my soul. Push through  my arms push  through  the narrowness of fingers  which grasp for tools of  my mundane life. Overpower  the blockage in my feet which choose to tread on paths grooved from ordinary cares. Breathe out. Tunnel through my bones, through marrow and blood which grant  me life. Remove debris which buries my soul; take from me the bitter taste of bondage held in daily drudgery; lift fatigue from my every cell. Breathe in. Inflate me,  Spirit, with your holy vision; fill me with your essence. Come in me, pass through me, so that I  might become one with your perfect order. Breathe out. Ann Metlay ,  a lifelong writer, grew up in the 50’s’ in Berkeley. Her family shared a love of folks songs and close experiences and observations of nature.  These opportunities continue to influence her poetry and her visual art today. After participating in the Berkeley scene in th

  From the Maze, I Stepped Out by  Shoushan Balian   From the maze, I stepped out From dim, terrifying chambers From constant, perplexing circles From narrow, stifling passages I stepped out   I stepped out The beast of my fears tamed The flood of my confusion drained The course of my path discerned   I had launched Into the battle of self-deliverance Stomped by the beat of war drums Stormed by the blast of war cries   My decisions were led By the vigor of my will And not By euphoric miscalculations As others perceived. My stamina prevailed By the strength of my faith As others looted my power To assert their false dichotomy. My individuality survived By my loyalty To the truest version of myself   I stepped out From the perils of a dark sea Of chaos And landed In the wonders of a meadow Of lilies (This poem first appeared in  Through the Soul into Life ) Shoushan Balian  is of Armenian origin, born and raised in Beirut, Lebanon, later living in Paris. She is a writer, poet, and visual

  The First Time I Felt the Energy Flow   Pulsing sensations come out of  nowhere, a bubbling  brook from feet to  heart, then  flowing like  rushing  spring water  down arms and  out hands. Impossible- to-conceive  waves  of energy travel  like earthquake  tremors  originating  in some small  southern country  making their way  through the earth's  crust  to another distant continent. A seismic  shift so profound,  with aftershocks  lasting for  days. She  knows her life  is about to change, will never, ever  be the same  again. Carolyn Chilton Casas  is a Reiki Master and teacher. Her favorite themes to write about are awareness, healing, and the life journey. Carolyn's articles and poems have appeared in  Energy ,  Odyssey,   Reiki News Magazine, The Art of Healing, Touch,  and in other publications. You can read more of Carolyn’s work on Instagram at  mindfulpoet_  or in her first collection of poems titled  Our Shared Breath . *For submission guidelines,  click here

  Within my Heart by Ann Metlay I live within the folds of my heart. Its curves of valves and flaps, its steady beat, my lifeblood.   Follow these bloodlines. they lead deep into the hearts of others, paths to connect us all to the love of the One.   Sometimes, my trail seems  studded with rocks. I stumble. Perhaps the trickle of tears, the sobs that contract my breath  are meant to scrub across these pebbles, display their luster, the jewels I share within love.   Even when the Beyond beckons, and loved ones’ paths must depart, I know these diamonds, these sapphires, remain, treasures for future mining. See this necklace   draped along the spirals of my path. These have become my jewels collected from personal  battlefield, my travails and my personal conquests. To whom will I bequeath my wealth?           Ann Metlay , a lifelong writer, grew up in the 50’s’ in Berkeley. Her family shared a love of folks songs and close experiences and observations of nature.  These opportunities co

  Speak the Truth, my Heart by  Francesca Aniballi   When the sun hides behind the blue mountains and the rays linger on the purple-edged clouds you know it’s time to speak the truth.   Truth is a wild hawk no one can break into servitude. It purveys the lay of the land -- your every beat and jump, your whys and how.   When confusion rolls over the world in all seasons, speak the truth, my heart.   Poised between heaven and earth, speak the truth, my heart.   In the wind-swept valleys,  speak the truth, my heart.   Speak the truth, my heart lest you die of hunger.   For as long as you do, your flame will burn bright and rise.   Francesca Aniballi   is a creative facilitator and writer who brings her love of story, narrative and poetry in her work with women. She believes that story holds magic and has the potential to bring about healing, empowerment and reconnection to one another and to our common home: the earth. You can contact her at   Creative Journeys for Women , where she write