Maya Angelou … a Tribute – original poem

Today the light in heaven got a little brighter as the earth released a powerful, lovely woman … Dr. Maya Angelou.

She had long been my hero – this woman, this phenomenal woman who gave voice to higher spirit living inside of us. She encouraged us. She lit the candle of her soul into the darkness and she made the world look at itself differently. She will continue to guide my path as her words, although now limited by time and space, will continue to radiate until the end of time itself. I am sad to see her go.

One of my favorite quotes from Maya is: “A bird doesn’t sing because it has an answer, it sings because it has a song.” In honor of that lovely insight, I will “sing my song” in this poem, this tribute to a rare soul. Be blessed on your journey home Maya!

 

MAYA ANGELOU  …. A TRIBUTE

(original poem)

The words, though they cease in their coming, echo brightly into the world.

Bouncing from soul to soul with a loving touch, I hear them ringing.

I follow the sound of encouraging rhythm and see their wisdom still living.

You, a humble hero with not enough time to satiate our hearts.

You, a poet, evangelist, and earth angel flitting now beyond time.

You shall be missed but not forgotten.

You will be quoted, revered, and still spoken.

You shall gloriously write the words the angels now will sing.

And in the day when your voice can be heard by all of eternity,

We shall look again upon a woman, a phenomenal woman, 

Speaking her lilting words of love.

And we will again be inspired.

~ Barbara Bernard Miller

The Quiet Roar – original poem

                       THE QUIET ROAR

Inside every opportunity is the chance to trip and fall

     upon our fears and indecisive groaning.

We begin with hope brimming from the sparkle of that

     which we covet to achieve.

We set our course and brace ourselves for 

     work, wish, and wonder.

Alas the day comes when a mountain appears before our eyes,

     looming ever bigger than we imagined.

It is not our reality but our paradigm of self disbelief

     wanting to cast a daunting shadow upon that fanciful dream.

That is the day we come to know just how deep our desire is planted,

     how well watered and cared for it might be.

We whisper to ourselves the secret question we dare not admit,

     which queries whether we are “enough.”

Indeed, we quake at the thought that we have not enough of

     something vital for the journey.

Have we stepped too far and gone past the brink

     of all that we know we can do, be, and have?

Pause … and stand in the stillness of the fear for but a time and listen

     for that even smaller voice inside our soul.

The one that knows the mighty truth of our unique

     and everlasting spirit.

“I am” I hear in the quietest voice buried

     deep inside my heart.

Again it squeaks, and stronger still until it turns into

     a deep and quiet roar.

“I AM” I speak, with growing confidence, all that

     I imagine that I can be.

And with that spoken declaration comes the brilliant truth

     at long last tumbling through my core.

It is not fear that will determine if I have what

     I need to carry forth.

It is the choice to hear within the ever knowing 

     truth of my existence.

I am all that I shall need to walk the next step of my path,

     the one that I came to dream of and create.

And fear must, as the laws of life command, slip ever sulkily away

     leaving only truth, and trust to stand.

Fear shall not win as long as I listen to that still small roar

    upon which I choose to follow.

                                  ~ Barbara Bernard Miller

 

I AM – an original poem

I AM

Sitting in silence I look, I wait.

I do not hear the rustle of movement but I feel you move.

I stand flush with excitement as I know you are near.

Hearing your whisper, my spirit sinks into your comforting embrace.

With Spirit surrounding my mind there is peace.

I press my heart closer to heaven

To hear you words more clearly.

I am swept away with soul listening.

Mesmerized by the timber of your voice.

I speak not just to you, but with you.

Whole.

Blessed.

I am.

~ Barbara Bernard Miller

Divine Perfection – original poem

“In the still of the morning, or the heat of the day,
it’s always the right time for you to say
the words that will shift the pains that may be.
Don’t hold back your best from those you see.
Open your heart and extend your hand
Kindness is needed by every woman and man.
The blessings will flow in every direction
Because you showed up in your divine perfection.”
~ Barbara Bernard Miller

Soul Remembering – original poem

SOUL REMEMBERING

This journey of remembering my soul is a meandering path.

Along the way are strewn memories that have been hidden from myself.

Clues are peaking from behind laughter and tears pointing to bumps, bruises, and elations.

In my sporadic attempts to reach into my core essence

I begin to hear the whispers of my true purpose.

That dream I dream is a siren’s call.

That goal I’ve set is urging me to know myself.

The keys to my very existence sit before me in the echo of my childhood thoughts.

This is not a longing for what could be.

It is an awakening inside of me of what already is.

How have I come this far without fathoming my truth?

Today I will let my soul speak through images and intuitions.

I will be guided into my truth by my heart leading my head for but a time.

I shall recognize myself in the creation of my hands.

I shall touch my soul for this brief time, exposing it gently to the world.

Embracing the hidden friend that is forever here.

This time I will remember.

And for a brief moment, I may recognize myself as whole.

~ Barbara Bernard Miller

Season of Beauty – original poem

SEASON OF BEAUTY

It isn’t the twinkle of lights in the city that brighten the holiday season,

  It is the smiles and gestures of charity from you that give the days their meaning.

It isn’t the songs that bring out the joy on the lips of all the people,

      It is the words of kindness that you are spreading that creates a joyful ripple.

It isn’t the food, cookies, or nog warming the hearths of the homes,

But rather the touch of a friend, or a hug that shows them they’re not alone.

It isn’t shoppers who bustle about, that create the atmosphere and energy,

It is the quiet connection of hearts and giving that melts the frost in the air.

I have a part, and you have a part, in bringing the season to life.

It is our union of spirit and not our religions that actually fuels the light.

It is the love in our hearts that we’re willing to share that creates a sense of community.

Believe you can spread the light and the love and we’ll all have a season of beauty.

~ Barbara Bernard Miller

Summer Dance of the Moon – original poem

SUMMER DANCE OF THE MOON

Ambling slowly in the path of my puppy

I follow in the heavy, humid night air.

Greeted by the golden orb of a full moon

The sight brings a settled feeling to my soul.

Just beyond is the sprinkling of colorful fire works

Ushering in the celebration of freedom.

In silence I stand with the companionship of

Only a small family friend, no other sound for a moment.

Silence broken in the distance with the laugh of a child

Followed by the splashing of the refreshing pool.

With every step, the moon appears to grow larger

And I am aware of the cosmic twirling.

Summer sun and brilliant moon dancing in the season.

And for a moment I know that all is well.

~ Barbara Bernard Miller

Just Speak – original poem

JUST SPEAK!

From stem to stern and back again.

Top to bottom, without end.

Your cells know the energy of a positive flow.

Your words bellow forth with new life.

The sentiment of your heart changes the air.

Every part of you responding to the beat of your cares.

With heavy heart the day goes dark.

With lightness of hope the day glows.

It isn’t the outside that colors your world.

But the rainbow of thoughts and words.

With practice your mind can shift your view.

Allowing the breaking of dawn.

Brushing aside the darkest of thoughts.

You harness the power of control.

With it comes swift changes to your world.

It’s your words that speak your thoughts to life.

As your energy entwines with others.

A thought, a word, a positive shift.

Is all it takes to change your path.

From slowly slipping away with regret.

To a warm embrace of belonging.

It only takes one act from you.

You have the power within.

To shift the story of who you are.

Just speak your life to your dreams.

It changes everything.

~ Barbara Bernard Miller

End of Longing – original poem

                                  “End of Longing”

In the hustle and bustle of the busy world

You appear, gradually moving forward.

The perspective of time is askew with

Regular movement appearing as slow motion.

Change is so rapid and adjustment is crawling.

No amount of anticipation allows you to draw closer.

Patience and perseverance are the order of the day.

I see you, and keep my eyes affixed

As you are the desire of my heart.

I have been in this place before.

Longing to move toward you with grace and speed.

My heart quickens at the fear that you will remain

Afar and fixed outside my grasp.

And yet, I know that even the sluggishness of time

Will pass and I will stand looking at you within reach.

Calm, and unshakable, your attraction grows stronger.

I pray the ticking of time makes it inevitable.

For me to have you and you to have me.

And contentment will settle in around us.

Wrapping us in the glow of knowing.

For you are the fulfillment of a promise.

I stand in awe wishing for that day in my future.

You are the prize of the game.

And then the realization crashes in around me.

All of this is just a figment of fancy.

There is no distance in this hall of mirrors.

Time neither rushes nor slows.

There is only the perception that you are distant.

In an instant I know that you are here.

You have been available to me in every moment.

I pushed you away in fear and anxiety.

I ignored you in the busyness of my day.

I shut out the call you made to my soul

Because distraction seemed so urgent.

And instead I chose longing over achieving.

This game called life created an illusion.

This gift called peace that I have been craving.

Well, it is already mine.

And with a heavy sigh I allow the dream to end.

I breathe in the knowledge that this peace

Is not around me but in me.

There is nothing that is missing.

There is no action that is needed.

I settle in knowing that I have what I desire.

I mourn the wasting of my time.

I rejoice in the end of the struggle.

I am grateful for the sudden wisdom.

I am at peace.

~ Barbara Bernard Miller

Breath of Life

Today at work our women’s network had nationally recognized self-defense speakers Debbie and Mike Gardner. They were excellent and I highly recommend them. She’s a former police officer and I believe he’s still a current officer.  They teach the “really-really” message of how to prevent and/or survive an attack. Excellent stuff but not the same old messages of  fear. This is the gritty stuff that you need to know. But most importantly – it was filled with courage coaching and how to enable yourself to do what you need to do.

The first thing they teach you is why people “freeze”. It’s actually not freezing at all – it’s holding our breath. And when we hold our breath we cannot think, walk, or react because the blood and oxygen aren’t there. There was so much info packed in the 2 hours but it was surprisingly easy to remember.

What really strikes me is, once again, it’s a lesson on not holding our breath as a foundational lesson. It brings another level of awareness that the “breath of life” is indeed not just for stress reduction – it’s for survival. As Debbie says, “The last one breathing wins!”  Here’s a link back to my previous posting/poem related to breathing – Shifting.

There is a repeating message in my life these days. I can shift my life by breathing. I can relax and calm myself by breathing. And now, I can save myself and others by breathing. I’m excited to know that it STARTS with something as simple as this, now the hard part is remembering it and following through with the rest.

And this reminds me of a song … and another “breath” I cannot live without. Take a listen to Amy Grant singing “Breath of Heaven”. 

Breathe my friends! Don’t forget that this simple thing is the key to so many things we need to live and to survive. Breathe and be blessed!

Walk On – original poem

WALK ON …

It’s true the words they sing in the songs.

Where it’s a fantasy to try to right the wrongs.

Of a word cast afloat in the sea of spite.

When those who hurt me think they are right.

I love with arms flung open wide.

And grieve in pain when cast aside.

When I let them in I took the chance.

That love would out last every circumstance.

But alas the dream comes to an end.

When the one I love disappears in the bend.

And I am left with questions spinning my head.

And looking for answers in the words I’ve read.

It’s those who are closest that seem to manage.

The deepest cuts and the broadest damage.

Time will mend my heart once more.

Life doesn’t end with the close of a door.

With lessons learned and tears now dry.

I will lift my head and walk on with a sigh.

~ Barbara Bernard Miller

 

 

 

Storm Watch – original poem

Storm Watch

Awash with anticipation I look to the western sky.

The power shaking the air before the storm arrives.

Dark clouds barreling and bullying forward.

Making known its coming with smoldering threats.

The smell of the air is familiar, heavy, and foreboding.

Animals scurry taking heed the warning of Mother Nature.

Leaves flipping and curling on the trees awaiting a violent drink.

An enveloping of darkness foreshadowing the angry rains.

Thunder calling ahead with a daring in its voice.

Quiet and calm skittishly waiting to be chased away.

With a sense of danger and fascination dancing a mysterious tango.

I pray we find no wake of destruction upon its passing.

I listen closely, knowing the possibilities that approach.

Snuggling a little deeper in the comfort of my home.

Awaiting the cleansing on tomorrow’s dawn.

The first drop bounces on my window.

~ Barbara Bernard Miller

I Am a Mother – original poem

May is traditionally the month we honor mothers here in the US. Here’s a new poem in honor of all mothers – those that we are and those that we love. Be blessed!

I AM A MOTHER

Looking into your face I see all that you are.

No secrets of your past can change my heart.

No struggles of the future will cool my love.

I have no illusions of your mortal perfection.

But I recognize and acknowledge your perfect soul.

Your arrival was blessed and inspired devotion.

I saw you grow by inches and learn by miles.

I celebrate your endless possibilities.

I know you on a cellular and heart level.

And love you on every emotional plane.

Your mistakes are for learning and triumphs for growth.

And I go with you as you carry my lessons into your life.

I cannot change your path but I guide your steps.

I cannot protect you from all harm but I comfort your pain.

I cannot walk every step but I light your way with my wisdom.

I hold nothing back.

I reserve no love ungiven.

I am blessed in seeing my place in creation.

I am a mother.

~ Barbara Bernard Miller

Shifting – original poem

SHIFTING

The winds of change are sweeping unceasingly upon us.

Never guessing where the next shift will be, we are on guard.

Always with eyes in front and behind, we fidget with suspicion.

Relief coming in fitful bouts of sleep or distraction.

This pace is a frenzy that we are unable to sustain.

Collective discomfort is showing its wear and strain.

So, in contrast, I breathe.

In and out with a rhythm dictated by my attention.

With each movement of air a little more tension dissolves.

In open surrender I flow within this state of change.

Worry is useless and guessing ineffective.

Energy is restored with each mindful choice to let go.

All things fall in place once they are surrendered.

What will be shall manifest itself in due and rightful timing.

I am afloat in my conscious state of releasing.

And peace begins to restore itself around me.

My mind may wander but my spirit is at rest once more.

Shifting through change, from chaos to calm.

~ Barbara Bernard Miller

SOULS ALIVE – original poem

                                         SOULS ALIVE

Inside of you and inside me is a soul designed to create.

Born to bring to life a piece of what makes us great.

In the dark of our imagination, a flicker of light does grow.

And into the day comes the manifestation of that which makes us glow.

From the second we see it forming in the back of our mind’s eye.

The essence begins to take its shape in a way we can’t deny.

Once it blooms into a form we ought not hide it away.

Because the creation that comes from our best must be given away.

Whether it’s art, or words of wisdom, or whether our gift is love,

We can trace its origins back to source, our creator, God above.

There is no chaos or drift of fate that allows for the act of creation.

For without an artist to think it up, there is no imagination.

You and I are the final product of the great Creator’s hand.

With love, a word, and nothing more, he made us on command.

And now in his image, and with the power of his heritage within.

We must stir up our spirit, and muster our courage to have ourselves begin.

To create the world we long to have, where everyone can thrive.

Is  exactly the reason we have power within to bring our souls alive.

~ Barbara Bernard Miller