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BRIDGE MAKER by Krista Katrovas

I wrote this poem with inspiration from Kuan Yin in mind...

Goddess Kuan Yin's compassionate heart moved her to stay behind, here on Earth, rather than accepting Buddha-hood. She will remain here, she said, until the end of suffering of all beings arrives, and until we all reach enlightenment. 

Bridge Maker
For Kuan Yin

Once upon a time
there was a woman who loved
with all her heart.
She even loved her mud filled fingernails,
the soreness of them
that she bore.
Life sometimes got dirty,
but she built bridges anyway.

Sometimes when hammering the nails
while aligning the planks of wood
she’d strike her fingers by accident,
shout out,
jump into a, “I hurt myself,” dance,
then laugh and return to building.

Sometimes we hurt ourselves,
especially when trying to help others.
Tis the role we women sometimes play.

But she learned to step aside
away from pounding her fingers,
and continued to build.

She looked back,
saw all that she had created
while witnessing men and women
walking hand in hand
strolling between that which separates us,
and that which heals.

She saw how some
had reached the other side,
were filled with love,
how forgiveness had freed them.

She also saw those stuck in the middle,
needing more time to cross,
and that's when 
she vowed never to leave the earth
until all have safely made the journey
leading to healing, love,
and enlightenment.

She whispers each day and night,
while hammering, realigning wood, 
building
while watching over her bridges,
"Don't be afraid,,
you're never alone."  

Krista Katrovas (E-RYT) has dedicated herself to the practice, study and teaching of yoga since discovering it in 1999 after dancing rigorously as a dance major in college. Krista has had scores of articles on Yoga, Wellness, and Spirituality published in nationally regulated magazines. She has a regular column at Elephant Journal here. She has taught Yoga in Prague every July since 2009 and has been sought to teach in Kuwait, Canada, Virginia, California, Kentucky, and Florida. She calls Kalamazoo, Michigan home, where she teaches Yoga, Meditation, offers Spiritual guidance, and practices Shamanism. She has cats, though also loves dogs, all animals. Her power animal is the Snowy Owl. Visit her yoga 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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