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FRESHENING by Sarah Carlson

 

Freshening

A focus on attending to the pain,
the needs of others
has long been my companion.
So deeply ingrained 
that I tend to override my own,
yet I both hurt… and need.
This antiquated habit 
of putting myself last
sometimes constricts
 my sense of allowing
 the rhythm of healing
to move freely through.
But, it does anyway.
When I spiral softly 
into another chasm 
that needs attention
I can get confused,
think I must do something,
apologize,
or that I’m simply 
supposed to hurt.
Eventually, though,
my breath joins
the wind in the trees,
the pulse of the ocean,
the vastness of the sky above.
I can smile,
say hello to new Health,
let pains release over time.
With a freshening of companionship
in this vessel that is me,
I become more and more adept 
at riding
 the steady waters of healing,
letting them carry me along.

(This poem originally appeared in the author's blog found here)


Sarah Carlson has many pieces to her whole, as most of us do. Those pieces include: mother, teacher, daughter, friend, widow, sister, skier, bicyclist, hiker, coach, drummer, and poet. Sarah lives in the western foothills of Maine where opportunities to make connections amid the splendor of the rivers, lakes and mountains are plentiful. She began writing and combining her poetry with photographs of her experiences in the natural world as part of healing from the sudden loss of her husband, Barry. More of her poetry can be seen on her blog here. Her book, The Radiance of Change, (found here) can be purchased on line through the independent bookstore in her hometown of Farmington, Maine. She just published her second book of poetry and photos, In the Currents of Quiet, available here.  

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