PARADOXOLOGIES by Ruth Calder Murphy

Paradoxologies is a word I came up with when playing with ideas for the title of my blog…

I’m not a blogger. I’ve always liked the idea of being a blogger - since before blogs existed, in fact, and we called them “diaries”: A record of things happening and my thoughts about them. I would love to be the sort of focused person who manages to write regular blog posts!

I have various blogs, scattered about, all a bit ragged around the edges, but now, “Paradoxologies” is my writer’s page on Facebook and actually, yes; it is a blog. A poetry and art blog, where I post my work, news, events and so on …

But I digress.

The word “Paradoxologies” appealed to me massively, because the idea of Paradox - in life, death, faith, doubt, reason, instinct - in Me, myself - is one that fascinates me and one that in more recent years, I’ve begun to embrace fully as a valid, honest part of being human.

I hold tension - or balance, I suppose - in my heart and soul and mind. The same tension or balance that exists in the seasons, the circle of life and in all the connections there are between us.

I might not ever have managed to write a regular blog, but I’m focused enough to juggle contradictions and to order them into poetry… Go figure!

Paradoxologies in a series of anomalies… It is enough.

Artwork by Ruth Calder Murphy

Paradoxologies

by Ruth Calder Murphy

As a cork on an infinite ocean,

a leaf liberated by Autumn,

an arrow loosed from the tension of the bow...

As a drum beats from its belly

and as migrating birds know

how to fly, where to go…

As wicker is woven

and dead cells are sloughed for the new,

All of this is true of me

- and true of you?

All of this - adrift, awash,

found in Spirit’s heart-filled home

yet lost:

loved and yet alone...

Everything meaningful,

everything vain,

Like the echoes of ancestors,

the drumming of rain.

Paradoxologies in a series of anomalies

- a climbing to being and a falling to dust…

This is me, this story, this mystery...

and it is enough.

Artwork by Ruth Calder Murphy

Ruth Calder Murphy is a writer, artist, music teacher, wife and mother living in London, UK. Her life is wonderfully full of creativity and low-level chaos. She is the author of two published novels, The Scream and The Everlasting Monday, several books of poetry and one or two as-yet unpublished novels. More of Ruth' Spiritual poetry can be found in her book, Spirit Song and the soon-to-be-released sequel, "River Song". She is passionate about celebrating the uniqueness of people, questioning the unquestionable and discovering new perspectives on old wonders. She is learning to ride the waves that come along—peaks and troughs—and is waking up to just how wonderful life really is. You can visit Ruth and view more of her art on her website, or on her writer's page on Facebook. All her books are available on Amazon, 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!~

IMAGINE A WOMAN by Patricia Lynn Reilly

This poem invites you to look upon yourself with loving kindness… Gazing at your own true reflection, you will discover that everything you have longed for “out there” is already within you! I invite you to love your creativity fiercely. Faithfully plant seeds, allowing under-the-ground dormant seasons, nurturing your creative garden with love and gratitude. In the fullness of time, the green growing things thrust forth from the ground. It's a faithful, trustworthy process. AND it takes time and patience. Blessed is the fruit of your creative womb! I invite you to trust your vision of the world and express it. With wonder and delight, paint a picture, create a dance, write a book, and make up a song. To give expression to your creative impulses is as natural as your breathing. Create in your own language, imagery, and movement. Follow no script. Do not be limited by the customary way things have been expressed. Your creative intuition is original. Ga...

IN THE STILLNESS OF THE NIGHT by Ginny Brannan

Just take a moment to pause... When life becomes rote, and frustration grows from being immersed in the same routine—different day, sometimes we need to remind ourselves that peace is still there—within our grasp— if we just take a moment to pause and enjoy the stillness and beauty around us. In the Stillness of the Night by Ginny Brannan Late winter’s eve and all is still the lawn lies bathed in silver light— gray shadows race across the yard and climb atop the windowsill to draw my gaze upon the sight. I stare out to the moonlit night, across the deck and wooded path fresh–painted by new fallen snow. The scene infuses with delight; this gift inside storm’s aftermath. Half–buried now, the old birdbath lies shadowed deep in indigo— it waits on promise of the spring when arctic chill has finally passed and snow gives way to new green grass. With gratitude, I hedge to go; tranquility allays my soul… I turn ...

STILL I RISE by Maya Angelou

Six years ago, I had the privilege of listening to Maya Angelou speak live on the value of poetry at the University of Florida. I share these reflections with you again today, in honor of her birthday. I was relieved to get one of the last seats available for this rare event, having arrived at five for Maya Angelou ’s free speech at eight. The historically long line began with people settled into beach chairs in winter coats busying themselves on tablets, or eating sandwiches for dinner. As helicopters hovered above and newscasters below, I felt the excitement of realizing that thousands of people were gathering together to hear an eighty four year old black woman recite her poetry! Maya Angelou speaking at University of Florida on Feb. 27, 2013 When the curtain rose -after an overflow of hundreds were sent away- we lucky ones on the inside greeted Maya with a standing ovation, as she smiled sweetly, beginning her talk using metaphors from nature. Maya asked...

Journey of the Heart

Search This Blog