tree trunk blackened, burnt
reaching my hands to touch you
I’m stained with sorrow
by 
After the Smoke
I dream drowning and
wake
telling myself it’s over,
think of
something else-
light, laughter
but
closing my eyes
the darkness floods in
by where there’s smoke
Orange glow of sun
the birds still singing-
singing still-
take on a muted tone.
Yet I hear them
I hear them still
by praise song
Books, etc
I’m knee deep in books these days- they are piled in various places throughout the house, library books along with my newest bookstore finds. I thought I’d share a few favorites and some of my thoughts.
Cured by Jeffery Rediger M.D.
This is an encouraging read about spontaneous healing. Dr. Rediger relays a number of stories of individuals who, after being diagnosed with an incurable illness, defy the odds and experience complete remission. All used their diagnoses as an opportunity and made sweeping changes on their path to radical healing. Rediger concludes: “… to reach new depths of recovery, we have to heal the following: our diets, our immune systems, our stress responses, and our identities.” This book is chock full of ideas and hope. Definitely a worthwhile read.
A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles
This is a bestseller by the author of Rules of Civility. It would be an understatement to say that Towles is a master of the English language. I actually began listening to this book but soon felt that I was missing out by not reading it myself. I’m happy I decided to grab it from the library and lose myself in the world of Count Alexander Rostov and the goings on in the Metropol hotel in 1920’s Moscow, where the Count is sentenced to house arrest. Rather than restricting his experience of life, the Count’s plight opens innumerable opportunities to truly live. I am enjoying this one very much!
The Gifts of Imperfection by Brene Brown
I don’t often find myself reading a book for the third time, but that’s exactly what’s happening here. The subtitle, “Let Go of Who You Think You’re Supposed to Be and Embrace Who You Are” is spot on as this book delivers, elucidating a well-researched path to freedom from “shoulds” and encouragement for living a wholehearted life. I have learned a lot from Brown’s hard won wisdom and highly recommend her.
I’d love to know what you’re reading!
by Words
Words, I knew
had power
and then, I learned
they had beauty too,
formed the ground
for mystery.
I was
in love
not knowing then what comes to me now-
I’d found a faithful friend,
one that would
sit with me in pain,
dance across the page with joy.
In my heart we
ran away together.
by