WAITING TIME by Ruth Calder Murphy

I don't like waiting…

I don't like having to sit still when I have a list of things I feel I should be up and doing. I don't like being laid up, or held up or slowed down..

In truth, I suppose, I’m not naturally a very patient person, although motherhood, experience and age has taught me—along with many other things—how to become more patient and more at ease with having to be patient.

I’m not a natural “wait-er”, but I'm trying to learn the lesson that these slow times: periods of enforced stillness and slowness, whether days or weeks or hours or minutes, are not wasted time or empty time, but are an opportunity for me to learn different ways of thinking and seeing and being. I've a long way to go, but I'm getting there.

Ticking Clocks by the author, Ruth Calder Murphy

Waiting Time

by Ruth Calder Murphy

Waiting time

is not wasted time,

so much as breathing time

and learning patience time

and time to be reaquainted

with the inside of my head…

Standing in line

is not a sign of decline,

so much as space

to re-set the muscles in my face

and realign myself with the constancy

of Grace.

Waiting time can be frustrating time

- a howling at the moon time,

a time to dance slow waltzes with the Black Dog

and to fraternise with the flip-side of hope.

Like standing on a trap door,

or dangling from a rope,

wondering how far I’ll fall before I hit the floor,

waiting to be emptied out or swallowed whole…

But waiting time is not wasted time,

though it fills my soul and spills over the edges like tar.

Waiting time is gestating time—

staying still to travel far,

to grow and bloom.

Sitting in the shadows of Life’s waiting room,

discovering the secrets of Earth.

Waiting time

is not wasted time,

so much as breathing time

and learning patience time—

time to curl into the darkness of the womb,

waiting for another birth.

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author of two published novels, The Scream and The Everlasting Monday, several books of poetry and one or two as-yet unpublished novels.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