Journey of the Heart

There is a thought that ideas and inspiration come in from a source higher than ourselves. When open to its arrival this etheric essence merges with our being to transform into materialized substance, thus story is born. While this is true, the spark that ignites our being is also etched from the very pen of personal experience, creating a unique story that is all our own. This is mine:  The Reunification of Self by Nichole Spinarski I grieve for leaving you alone down there, without dagger or sword, without blanket or shawl. A frigid world incased in the fragility of your wanton thoughts. Inescapable except for the annihilation of self and the demons that occupy your house. I grieve for the floods that have left you for dead. In a damp land of emotion, floating on a boat of tears, with no clear land in sight. I grieve for the fire that has lost its spark. In a world where fear reigns supreme, and any ideas grand or...

Until She Returns Sonja Phillips Into the silence of winter   my thoughts wander   blending in   with the colors of life. Love finds herself   wherever she is.  Nature flaunts her beauty   as if she is trying   to attach and distract us, painting the world   inside and outside of us   she manifests   in myriads of forms: A little bird, as if god, perched    on a wintery branch   admiring herself in all.  Sonja Marie Phillips Hollie   is a rising poetess, a free spirit, dreamer and spiritualist. She was born in Chicago and now resides in Texas with her husband and three beautiful daughters. Although, she fell in love with words at a very young age, she didn’t become interested in writing poetry until after winning a poetry recital contest in high school. She has an unusual style of poetry, mystical, passionate, otherworldly. Her words are divinely inspired. Several of her poems were se...

I was thinking about this month of February as a special month for many who celebrate love , and of the   freshness and brilliance this time of year brings to one's life. ❤️ But when I think of love, my thoughts always go towards the Divine: my Lord Krishna . I believe there is nothing more precious in this world than the divine love he bestows upon me. My mind and heart are filled with love for Him   more than anyone. I penned down this poem just to express my feelings towards him, for I believe that God’s love is incomparable, unrivaled, unique, exceptional and precious than anything in this world. Divine Love  Vidya Chetan O, my Lord Krishna!  I bow down to your lotus feet, which give me an immense sensation of tranquility, calming my soul deep within. Whatever outer turmoil or chaos I face evaporates before your smiling face  instantly releasing me from agony.  You lift me when I am depressed and grant me courage to face the world. ...

Big Dreams in Black and White Marulé MacKay She opens one of her writing journals. A present from a sunbeam friend. Pages sprinkled with colourful confetti stars. Discoveries of glitter surprises and smiles—all around. She starts to write these pages alive with love. The happiness of the bright, and the darkness of the night. On rainy days, sometimes sunny, she wonders if she has fallen into a pot of honey—too sticky to get out? these…   numb days     vibrant skies       sad minutes         angel eyes           dark circles             golden shores               lost souls                 beauty wars tired of grey tired of rhymes ...

Deciduous Woman When the heat falls out her bones moan. As she loses sap her bark crinkles. Her leaves color a grandmother’s witches-dress. Her brew of a few drops is drunk and given back in the hooting of owls. Her heat felt by wolf-children at her roots. For each spirit there is a chamber in which oneness is included surrounded by the uniqueness of individual sparks. Painted flamed before killed by individual snuffers. Just a girl might think the smith is a drunkard. Chewing on licorice in the city she loves you. You are in her embrace while she leaves you. A small branch cracking off. Some dry rags of witches-dress in fading color still adorn you. *   *   * (Excerpt from  The Call of the Ink Bird  (Nov. 2017, Tandava Press) Photography by Greg A. Hartford Laura Demelza Bosma  (1986) is a Dutch singing and painting poetess living in Austria where she gave birth to three lovely children. She is author...

As a certified yoga instructor, I find myself infusing the spiritual teachings of yoga in a lot of my writing. After writing and titling this piece, a dear friend read it and noticed that the camber of the lines seemed to follow the rhythm of the “warrior dance” sequence, which is a series of poses often guided in a vinyasa flow yoga class.  Whether this was intentional or subliminal on my part, I’m not sure, but it does add another layer to its reading and interpretation. Warrior Dance Erin Larson I am a woman, A warrior I am strong I am powerful I deserve to BE! And for that I will apologize no more I am not sorry for: The state of my house Wanting bread with my salad, Leftover night, My amateur prose. I am not sorry for screen time that I may cook dinner in peace I am not sorry for opening my mouth, My imperfections, My stretch marks My wild crazy moods Contrivances be damned! I will not squeeze into a mold that does not...

Sonnet for Peace For peace we feel cool water foam the shore, we watch the circling bird’s relentless soar. We mimic the giant spider of the sky— With joy she spins her gilded ray, we try. For peace the cello sends its voice afar, Directs each nerve to seek a distant star. Each string vibrating its rhythmic flow, Pulsating chords of harps with accents slow. God gives us the choice to love, the will to live, The self affirmed to nourish and to give. To risk with courage many noble deeds, So that fear of conflict wilts before it breeds. For peace I need you close, not distant And your heart a little less resistant, Together we’ll hear the outrage of injustice cry: Combat all hatred and raise faith’s banner high! (August 1969) Nannette Hoffman : Nannette was a fine artist, teacher and poet, who passed away on December 9, 2010 at the age of 81. She was a native of New York City and had lived in the D.C area for 40 years before moving ...