WITHIN MY HEART by Ann Metlay

 

Within my Heart

by Ann Metlay

I live within the folds

of my heart. Its curves

of valves and flaps,

its steady beat, my lifeblood.

 

Follow these bloodlines.

they lead deep into the hearts

of others, paths to connect

us all to the love of the One.

 

Sometimes, my trail seems 

studded with rocks. I stumble.

Perhaps the trickle of tears,

the sobs that contract my breath 

are meant to scrub across these pebbles,

display their luster, the jewels

I share within love.

 

Even when the Beyond beckons,

and loved ones’ paths

must depart, I know these diamonds,

these sapphires, remain, treasures

for future mining. See this necklace

 

draped along the spirals of my path.

These have become my jewels

collected from personal  battlefield,

my travails and my personal conquests.

To whom will I bequeath my wealth?          

Ann Metlay, a lifelong writer, grew up in the 50’s’ in Berkeley. Her family shared a love of folks songs and close experiences and observations of nature.  These opportunities continue to influence her poetry and her visual art today. After participating in the Berkeley scene in the mid-sixties, Ann joined the Peace Corps, and spent two years in Nigeria. Upon returning home, Ann embarked on a career in teaching. She incorporated her language skills into teaching, first children with special needs, then, later, with students struggling to become proficient readers. Ann retired to Arizona. She has linked her observational skills in nature to her deeply spiritual poetry, and art.  She, incorporates her keen sense of rhythm and rhyme within all her art. Ann delights in sharing her creative gifts through readings and art shows. She has published several books of poetry and short stories. A Jew by choice, spiritual poetry flows through her. She shares her poetry regularly at services of Center of Universal Light, a community that “embraces all paths to the Divine Light.” She also shares her writings at the Jewish Community of the Verde Valley.

 

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