Showing posts with label Soul Searching. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Soul Searching. Show all posts
Thursday, February 4, 2016
Saturday, June 14, 2014
Standing Barefoot on Rocky Ground ..... a long journey's reprise
Standing Barefoot on Rocky Ground .....
a long journey's reprise
Come walk with me a mile ...
Walk on without our burden’s weighty shoes ,
warily trudging over the long rocky
pathway of a lifetime in my soul ;
a final edifying voyage to freedom .
The winds of change are blowing briskly
as we walk charily over the long
rock-strewn passageway.
I shed these boots and skin, no longer fitting
my scared, blistered and callused soles .
As time slowly passes ,
this craggy terrain has evolved
from a two-way passageway,
into one-way jagged forage …
Standing barefooted and naked on rocky ground ,
dark sunken sleepless eyes scan
the rolling vista as the wind blows star dust
from the halo around the sun ,
blurring the delicate wispy cirrus clouds .
The sun’s radiance paints a frozen ice crystal azure
into a vivid aura of prisms’ glittering corona.
Kaleidoscope rainbows adorn the closest of solar stars .
There's something in the ethereal air
that leaves my soul unsettled ,
grasping for an allusive stability
as rumors of gold elude me ...
The pain and suffering has vanished
as if the body and soul have separated ,
numbness from the ache , severed nerves
sharp reflection on serrated rocky edges ,
deadened useless flesh cut to the bone
by misjudged obstacles encountered enduringly.
The barefooted spirit travels on ,
suffused in the solar spectrum’s dust ;
yearning , longing to saunter
above and beyond the bloated feathery pillows ;
cumulus clouds finally resting at peace .
Dipping these benumbed toes ,
heart’s weeping lesions
into a healing bath from the bowers of bliss ...
An unfinished life
of an open ended dream ,
reluctantly waking to take the last
surrendering steps beyond the threshold ...
A long and winding rocky journey’s destiny
draws near
The halo around the sallow moon
illuminates an understanding firmament ;
the gloaming celestial sphere’s
pending imminent soulful rain awaits
the metamorphosis at the brink of dawn .
A shower of heaven's teardrops shall mourn
the loss of form as the spirit of soul lives on ,
barefooted ,
naked and free
like the dust in the wind
absorbed eternally...
Harlon Rivers
note: memories of the future...
Hope is like Faith,
believing in something you can't see,
but knowing in your heart it’s real.
We all have faith in something...
"Never deprive someone of hope ~
it may be all they have"....Anonymous
June 2014
...let this humble remembrance of journey's writ
be a lasting memory of this simple being ...
Monday, February 17, 2014
Mending Unraveled Threads
... a poem about the times when we struggle to see things clearly ... Like the moments when it can feel like the mind can become a twisted and tangled mess ...Everybody has turbulent Monday's now and then ... Just some more often than others ...
Mending Unraveled Threads
From
time to time the thoughts get so twisted
The
silk threads spun get knotted and tousled
When
the trailing vines of the vineyard get twisted
A
journey’s tapestry montage becomes unraveled
Can
you imagine looking up at the enlightening moment
Do
you remember you once held me tight as I trembled ?
Tuesday, December 10, 2013
... in the hands of the maker
These feet trodden , benumbed ,
enslaved by the weight of the load
loamy earth no longer soft , supple ,
forgiving of cold tender feet
the pang of crystalline frost heaves
beneath winter moss
ache as if walking barefoot
on frigid rocky ground
each step taken in effort to draw nearer ,
apportion the distance between a place once so closely embraced,
and yet ,
now the distance appears so wide
the gravity of the metaphysical makes
me weak in the knees
I drop down and kiss the wintry ground
knowing all my cares
lie frozen far below ...
the scent of burning sage
and
sweetgrass permeates the chill ,
smoke rising like mist
into the mystic
a healing smudge carefully brushed with reverence ,
an abounding LOVE cleansing in this earth ,
the atmosphere stirs ,
I feel the muted words' silence emanating in the air
... knowing I’m not a stranger
in the hands of the maker
© Harlon Rivers ...December 9th, 2013
Wednesday, October 16, 2013
Kayak...the karma of rivers' flow
Kayak...the karma of rivers flow
wild waters call out their names
an ancient spirit within souls beckons
subtle utterance only heard
by the muse of adventure within
scholars of the poetic minutiae
wild water’s flow
cadence imbibes the river
the artisan glides
inertia of motion
dances with water
aplomb reader
of untamed water’s nuances
yin and yang
natural cause and effect
rollicks with the intricacies of flow
understanding beneath the turbulent surface
spontaneity with the gifts of naturalness
riding gravity's pull
go with the flow mantra
as water seeks its own level
springs from mountain high peaks
cascades, plummets, falls
the long journey back home
all at sea
Harlon Rivers
October 13, 2013
Note: big believer in do unto mantra, so this poem was written for and mused by a friend... and our unlikely moment with this simple photograph ... maybe you will help me read the water better...Stands Proud with Heart on Sleeve
Thursday, September 12, 2013
Quiet Repose......(4:20)
sighs too deep for words
exhale purging stifling bemoaned disquiet
understanding silent sounds misunderstood mien
Harlon Rivers
Friday, July 12, 2013
how fickle remorse ...snippet 11.0
..."independence" is a concept by which we measure the breadth of our indivisible cage
...how fickle remorse ....snippet 11.0
quietly she
sighs
from the darkness
purging the shadows
as unlied words wept
her unsullied tears stain
these hidden scars of torn
rousing conflicted heart and soul
©Harlon Rivers
from the darkness
purging the shadows
as unlied words wept
her unsullied tears stain
these hidden scars of torn
rousing conflicted heart and soul
©Harlon Rivers
7.04.2013 ...Waning
Crescent Moon 25 day(s) old
...snippets from thinking out loud
to be continued
...snippets from thinking out loud
to be continued
Monday, April 22, 2013
Listening for Some Light
“Listening for Some Light”
Everybody is looking
for some light; redemption
is
deafened by the blinding
glare
Squeezing the last drop out
from
within
stunned cold silence
Throwing the dice;
blindly rolling
circle of life roulette
Once there was a way
for wild eyes gone blind,
to learn to see again
Once there was a way
to see beyond
an empty space too big to
fill
What will become of love
if we keep it
hidden?
Walking away fighting
shadows;
while what won’t matter
always remains
What is lost is gone
forever;
what is found is
yours to keep
The distance between
what is and what isn't
overshadows,
the symmetry you
want to free
© 2013 … Harlon Rivers
Saturday, April 13, 2013
Accepting Solitude in an Unfinished Life...A chapter from "The Diary of the Falling Dominoes" by Harlon Rivers
Sometimes change happens so fast you don’t even notice . . .however accepting life's changes as reality, can be a slow and self-loathing process . . . we are always as blind as we want to be.
Regrets are a waste of time that can leave you standing alone at the crossroads at the end of that day when the sun goes down. . .
Many footprints are left behind
the countless miles of pathways
traveled throughout an unfinished life.
Barefoot traces of past now’s
wind through the ashes,
as the smoldering embers
of a turbulent past boundlessly linger.
Oppressive signs of crawling
on bruised and battered knees
remain in the dusty wake,
knowing that the squandered energy
trying to shed this calloused skin was wasted in vain
Black and white snapshots frozen in time,
vividly retell when it was as if there was no longer
valid reasons to believe, as forward steps circled
Unable to beckon the strength
to rise from kneeling on bended knees
with the resolve to stand humbly tall,
while walking towards the faltering light
Hesitation mired hopeful new strides
crossing the uncharted threshold
into the void reaching beyond nebulous darkness
There were times when blisters bled raw
and thread bare socks wrung red
Holes in the soles of worn out boots
overwhelmed an unforgettable crippling agony
Distraction numbed the forgotten heartbreak
that enshrouded life, reducing life back
to the beginning miles,
when thoughts of mere baby steps was existence
when thoughts of mere baby steps was existence
There are days spent suspended
at friendless crossroads,
overwhelmed by indecision’s
daunting toll,
daunting toll,
only to take the wrong turns
foolishly pushed by a faith
in the winds of change
in the winds of change
The low road was recklessly chosen
Where the shade in the shadows
of the gutter would not hide the burning ache
Days of running blissfully free upon the high road
were short-lived, as the loneliness of isolation
became too much weight to bear
Infinitely searching for an ambiguous sense
of ever belonging, as it evolved
into an unattainable destiny.
A emotionally perplexing feeling
overshadows an uncompleted journey;
overshadows an uncompleted journey;
a misunderstood lifetime
spanning the cradle to the grave.
spanning the cradle to the grave.
All the while,
slowly growing to understand,
slowly growing to understand,
it is better to accept
you may never be certain
you may never be certain
you harmonize anywhere,
than trusting the mind made illusion,
thinking you do.
One day you may awaken to discover. . .
There becomes a need to cope with
the disappointment when life unveils
the end of the day . . .
There becomes a need to cope with
the disappointment when life unveils
the end of the day . . .
In a conscious moment of listening
to the silent stillness within,
to the silent stillness within,
realizing you never will...
Tuesday, March 19, 2013
Watching the Sunset Fade
A Poem by Harlon Rivers
The anxiety of "Medical Limbo"
Time seems to stand still
while awaiting the moments anticipated news
The mysteries of biology
The known weaknesses of the flesh
Worrisome visions
that toy within fears
genetic foregone conclusions
that manifest as emotional anguish
The hope of new tomorrow’s wane
New moments dawning light dims
Thoughts of the circle
reaching the inevitable end of the song
A silent prayer for acceptance
for the things we cannot change
Courage to fight on for all life
that remains as hope retains faith
Nothing is inevitable
as long as you want to breathe
You can’t stop the dreamer
from weaving the happiest
of unfulfilled dreams
Knowing completely you can’t stop
a runaway freight train
if the circle's tracks are complete
Physical trials and tribulations
bring you to your mortal knees
The angst of the vast unknown
Trepidation’s shadow is near
Life passes before
tearful yearning eyes,
lost in misunderstood confusion,
as realities uncertainty transcends fear
The final dream…
The only wish…
To not leave this world alone
To merge two passionate loving souls as one
Romantics dreams can come true
Unconditionally, wholeheartedly
together as one
before the merry-go-round’s
final setting sun…
© 2012 Harlon Rivers
Sunday, March 17, 2013
The Space Between Thunder and Lightening
Have you ever thought about the space between? Recently I sat writing a list of such things... This is a poem about what can go on during the moment between thunder and lightening~
For me, creative writing is a type of subjective practical magic for the times when imagination knows no boundaries limiting access to dreams of other realms ~
It may surprise you how many you can come up with if you made your list. So as the list grew, so did emotive thoughts expanding upon what the distance is or what it can mean to us....
Okay so things like the space between a rose bud and a blooming rose...planting a seed and then waiting for the harvest, the first step in a journey and then arriving at a destination, the space between love & hate, birth & the passing of life, black & white, The silk cocoon & the Butterfly, the moon & the earth etc...
The space is as infinite as the list of possibilities. In this case I was thinking about the silent void between a visual bolt of Lightening and the Thunderclap breaking that silence...how many times I have waited in that "space", that sense of being stuck in "limbo" while counting the distance between...
From ~ Word Whisperer ~
The Space between Thunder and Lightening
Standing at the threshold in the silent space
between thunder and lightening
Straddling the door sill of uncertainty,
stranded in a continuum of discontent
One foot in…One foot out
A baby step…One foot forward
while the other follows
the wanderlust of an evolving dream
The first step begins
a journey of a thousand miles
Walk to the end of this long and winding road
Carry the weight of an unfinished life in this soul
Breathe in the stillness
of the tempest calm
The ethereal instant within
the eerie pause of natural hesitation
The silent exhilarating fusion linking the anticipation
between the bolt of lightning and the thunderclap ;
nature’s well performed sleight of hand
as if two souls touch igniting carnal synthesis
Reaching upward to the heavens they draw strength
from the spirit of the lightening and the hail,
The ominous sky’s anger and the storm’s fury fuel the essence of their verve
vibrant celestial elements manifests a drenching downpour
Heightened senses are enhanced by an electric aura
squeezing out every last drop
from the enchanting moment of stunned silence
Spirits transcend a cleansing rain invigorating heart of soul ~
©Harlon Rivers 2013 ...February 28th, 2013
Saturday, March 2, 2013
"Stormy Seas"
At times we feel trapped and stuck in a moment we cannot get out of…The feeling of lost hope and our struggle to fight off difficult times, feeling alone yet afraid to ask for help.
Stormy Seas ... a poem by Harlon Rivers
Mountainous waves toss the vessel to and fro
The ravaging Nor'easter impales with a deafening blow
Raucous salty sheets of spray soak and dampen all around
A bucket bails the raged sloop
She moans and groans as she’s flung about
A sailor sails. A sailor endlessly bails
Alone in the perfect storm
Two oars are manned on the stormy seas
The halyard torn and ripped from mast
To row and bail is an impossible feat
It’s hard to tell when you’ve sprung a fateful leak
The captain mans the forlorn skiff
Traditions sink down with the ship
His furious soul laments life’s toil
As violent waves crash the gunnels hold
He screamed out loud, “My time has come!”
“My ship is sinking, her broken pieces will not be found!”
The rampart boat, well fortified yet built to fail
Plummets from hills of water pitifully tall
Cracks are leaking where the lurid light gets in
But so does the salty water, will drowning soon begin?
Lost hope floats the helpless, fearless one man crew
His soul now guides his ship
A vessel drifts lifeless on the empty calming sea
Nothing but it can be seen for miles of skies
The free board is deep the salty water high
Two apathetic oars both silent, is a lost soul inside?
© November, 2011... Harlon Rivers
The ravaging Nor'easter impales with a deafening blow
Raucous salty sheets of spray soak and dampen all around
A bucket bails the raged sloop
She moans and groans as she’s flung about
A sailor sails. A sailor endlessly bails
Alone in the perfect storm
Two oars are manned on the stormy seas
The halyard torn and ripped from mast
To row and bail is an impossible feat
It’s hard to tell when you’ve sprung a fateful leak
The captain mans the forlorn skiff
Traditions sink down with the ship
His furious soul laments life’s toil
As violent waves crash the gunnels hold
He screamed out loud, “My time has come!”
“My ship is sinking, her broken pieces will not be found!”
The rampart boat, well fortified yet built to fail
Plummets from hills of water pitifully tall
Cracks are leaking where the lurid light gets in
But so does the salty water, will drowning soon begin?
Lost hope floats the helpless, fearless one man crew
His soul now guides his ship
A vessel drifts lifeless on the empty calming sea
Nothing but it can be seen for miles of skies
The free board is deep the salty water high
Two apathetic oars both silent, is a lost soul inside?
© November, 2011... Harlon Rivers
Saturday, February 23, 2013
~ Silently Thinking Out Loud ~
...when I started other chapters to the Word Whisperer Poetry blog, at the time I hoped Soul Journey would become the most read and have evolved with me as a person...Admittedly neither has happened so I am going to reopen and try again... "Silently Thinking Out Loud" was a poem written last April of 2012 during a time I felt like I was getting back on track
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"Silently Thinking Out-loud"
We are both
Blessed
and Burdened
by the empowering
responsibility of making our life choices
The path taken
is our journey’s evidence
fraught
with opportunities to reclaim
our soul's influence of selecting options
We may choose our
response
to what ever
obstacles
our pathway may incur
We may
resist
and loathe
the difficult moments
in life
We will find the valor
to evolve into
the conscious moment's dimension
free to be the moment
Blessed by the Burden
of truth...
Burdened by the doubters
needing proof...
Compassionate understanding
liberated by choosing presence
Life here and now...
©
2012 Harlon Rivers ... All Rights Reserved
Written ~ April 7th, 2012
Sunday, January 13, 2013
Doubters vs Believers
Sometimes a first step starts a journey of 10,000 steps...It can be logical to question…doubt. But sooner or later moments of motion transcend fear within doubt, liberating belief in our actions…
a poem by Harlon Rivers
"Doubters" and "Believers" are polar opposites,
like North is of South
Yet there is a little of both East and West in everyone
The protagonist versus the antagonists, a stalemate of the middle,
neutralizing fire and ice into water
Doubt fosters uncertainty and disbelief darkening optimism
of hopeful illumination of brighter pathways.
Belief in humanity cultivates faith into new beginnings,
brighter moments, hopeful tomorrows.
Finding inner peace and balance awakens devotion to hope.
brighter moments, hopeful tomorrows.
Finding inner peace and balance awakens devotion to hope.
Fidelity of unseen gravity is grounding
Trust is found through sincerity, authenticity, and yet
doubters hazy indistinctness muddles the enlightenment
of confidence that the long and twisting road
does not come to a dead end
just around the unseen bend in the pathway
Significance of ideals can not be discovered
until insignificance renders us into
an egoless thought of a speck of dust
As the volcanic flow of significance in thought immerges
from the dust, it builds the doubters dome into belief
as if seeing becomes believing transforming ambiguity
into definable reflections of faith in love.
Nothing is inevitable except to know the circle of life is a circle.
There is likely only one complete, complex journey around
and only we can choose which crossroad to turn upon.
To dream of doubt concludes the final dead end corner.
To be a dream believer cultivates eternal faith in hope...
© 2012 Harlon Rivers
Sunday, December 30, 2012
Cupid's Broken Arrow
Some things we learn so slowly... Some things we never learn... Some things we learn the hard way... The only way to survive a broken heart is to leave Cupid's broken arrow and hope it heals with a scar before it drips and drains all remaining life from your heart...
The spell was cast by memory
With the wanderlust of a rolling stone
Traces of broken dream’s dust and ashes
Fell like love cast out with a claustrophobic moan
A broken heart could not convince me
Every heart has not a home
Into a world without an island to feel a tranquil peace
Born of mother earth, into a race where faded memories were erased
Journeying out into an unknown raging sea, before learning to walk the land
Dreams of some lost abandoned safe haven, an illusion
Welcoming shorelines were never discovered by this soulful man
A world where what’s lost is rarely found
Where square pegs never fit the round
When the die is cast from molten life
It cools and forms flesh and bone
Insignificance, abandoned, left feeling like a heart without a home
In the end the faded memory is chiseled and scribed on some forgotten mossy stone.
In a distance I hear the eerie silence
The ship's final soul has sailed on a windless sea
Drifting infinite fathoms, the icon of a loveless being, another random lifetime lived,
like a lonely sunken ship of treasures, lost in the darkness undersea.
like a lonely sunken ship of treasures, lost in the darkness undersea.
I’ll walk another endless mile always knowing,
there will never be a home for my heart in the world ahead of me.
Reborn into a world where every passing thought becomes a fading dream
Love may be the last gasping breath left unbreathed
Belonging is a walking contradiction of my self esteem
Oh! heart and soul be set free...
Exhausted and weary of struggles, forsaken by gravity
No longer resisting the absolute surrender, the final choice that sets your soul free...
© 2012 Harlon Rivers… September 27th, 2012
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