POEMS ON FEAR AND FAITH by Carolyn Chilton Casas

How Not to Take in Fear

Find a quiet path to walk alone.

See how ocean waves roll

with the pull of a capricious moon,

and the ancient oak holds

ground in a thrashing wind.

Fling praise up to vultures

circling overhead.

Bow like nature to the coin

tosses of circumstance.

Consider a tree for a confidante.

If the journey leads to water,

count on faith to help you

swim safely to the far shore.

Climbing a tall mountain

is a great remedy for fear;

stride upward until you feel

the generosity of Mother Earth.

New muscles will evolve gently,

proving you are stronger than any fear.

How to Know Faith

Before you can know faith,

you must bear a message

that knocks you to your knees,

endure a shock that takes breath

away, like diving into raging ocean

waves on an icy winter’s day,

although the blow may bring

a blessed numbing, amputating

most sensation left within,

time will melt this fleeting shield

forcing you to make your way

toward the inconvenient truth;

then, benevolence is my hope for you—

offering up a budding faith, a light

to brighten even the deepest dark,

moments before the dawn.

Photography by TJ Dysdale

Carolyn Chilton Casas is a Reiki Master and teacher. Her favorite themes for writing are: healing, wellness, awareness, and the spiritual journey. Carolyn's articles and poems have appeared in Energy, Mujer Holística, Odyssey, Reiki News Magazine, The Art of Healing and in other publications. You can read more of Carolyn’s work on Instagram at mindfulpoet_ or in her debut collection of poems titled Our Shared Breath.

*For submission guidelines, click here

Comments

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