Where the still water gathers
the peace of clear skies --
after the tumbled traipse,
rock and rill rollick --
mountain face carving in creative
haste, all the youth of creek
falling and stumbling ‘cross
stone and branch in frothy dance,
this place of solitary glance
‘neath the cool shadows of leaf
near the fern and moss green mist.
When I’ve lost my path amongst
the wonders of love and bedazzled
by mysteries beyond my grasp --
my poetic voice, a memory scratched
upon papers, bound, to show
where once my wonder pranced.
Emotions caught in lyrical beat.
I let myself be led to this source,
this place of infinite relief.
My aches pulse stilled, frustration shorn
the inner cacaphony -- want and need --
my children, clutch and grab at who I be,
finally close their eyes, allow the mind to slumber.
the inner ear within the soul becomes alert
waits with surety for the truly promised gift.
The pond, bequeathed, unstirred by ripple or run
becomes a reflection of the source --
all gifts, mine since birth, wait for what’s to be heard.
The small still voice, we all seek,
makes clear, without herald of storm,
awakens the creative seeds to flourish and grow
where I had only seen barren loam.
Now reborn to the world’s harsh clatter,
I am healed and whole where once
wounded and shattered. My words,
dried and dusty, sere, squeezed to no meaning,
once again, trumpet joy, are cups
rich in flavorful meaning to unclench the throat.
Walled with a cell, caught
by my own humanness, tossed and torn
by competing needs -- I know
I have the strength from the primal spring
that love's me and has my constant thanks.
Join me, upon the banks of this clear
quiet pond, listen as you are imbued with serenity,
for the voice with which miracles blossom.
Whether recognized or not, you will
be eternally changed and gifted
for the time you have spent upon this spot.
10:20 AM
11/09/08
Sidwell Meeting
Washington, DC
Author notes
I chose to express how I get past writer's block. There is a spiritual nature to almost all my poems. I am always in a search for the path that celebrates and gives thanks for the sacred in life.
In a list
Please tell me what you think, what it makes you feel, how you are moved.
Comments
1 - 48 of 48
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Excellent
Ah, another fine write. Reading your last stanza I thought of Henry W Thoreau's, "Walden Pond". Thanks for sharing this one. -
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I should, I guess, admit to being a Quaker and Silence is part of my path. Thanks for sharing your pleasure. I can see now how the last verse could be mindful of Thoreau's "Walden Pond" Haven't read that since my Senior year in high school.
Love, Tom B. -
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Ah, I understand. Although not a Quaker, silence is also part of my path. Have you read my poem: "Whimsical None Since Time Began"? If not, I think you might like it. Just check the list of catagories on my profile page, this one is part of my Whimsical Collection. Merry Christmas to you and yours.
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a fantastic write that makes one pause for reflect5ion. filled with vivid imagery. the poem was difficult for me personally because of memories it raised but an excellent write none the less. i think i read it 3 or 4 times.
keep writing dear poet! God bless you always
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Thanks for sharing the pleasure you received from your reading. I wanted to share the private place I go, when I truly need healing or inspiration. I have so often been saved there that I thought perhaps it would be wise to let others in. May God continue to bless you and work deeply in your life.
Love,
Tom B.
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The small still voice, we all seek,
makes clear, without herald of storm,
awakens the creative seeds to flourish and grow
where I had only seen barren loam.
Now reborn to the world’s harsh clatter,
I am healed and whole where once
wounded and shattered.
Yes Tom. This is so very eloqently expressed. and 100% true.
Thank you for being the amazing artist you are, this gives me pause.
I love it,
Jin
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What can I say? The answers you contain are never found in your mind. We are foolish if we forget that we should be gifts to each other.
Love, Tom B.
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this poem was brilliant, it was amazing a refreshing look into getting pass something that hits a lot of us, keep it flowing and good luck in the contest
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Sorry for taking so long to get to this. I must of overlooked it somehow.
Thank you for being so enchanted by the poem. I hope I can continue to provide a sense of wonder and joy.
Peace & Light,
Tom B.
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Thank you for your entry.
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BREATH TAKING
as always your words flow with the art and mastery of images...within the silence of nature new life can begin again,the soft flow of inner wisdom as the heart melts with the beauty around allow freedom of pure thought to return to its seeker...my Master Poet i do thank you for sharing such beauty and a little piece of you with me 
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It is out of the silence that we dance with a material world. It is in the silence that we first face ourselves and then move to the maker of our being.
Thanks for sharing the joy you found here.
Your Friend,
Tom B.
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Its always an interesting view, being able to get inside your head and gaze at the wondrous workings of this. It reminded me how I got past my horrible writers block.
Stunningly written and extremely captivating
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'tis truly the kingdom of heaven within.
Love,
Tom B.
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Letting what stirs your muse guide you is a good thing. Hope you never loose it, great write and thanks for sharing pops, UNT.
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This is probably as instructional as I can get. I find that when I am at peace, I am far more creative. Glad you enjoyed my simple place of peace.
Love,
Tom B.
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oh tom, as you know,I am a word junkie,the language in this is deliciously good, they are dancing around inmy head right now, im ready for today and i didn't even need coffee.I love your takeon writers block, mine is a much gloomier place. Your plce sounds spiritual, its like fthe placemy mind goes to when ive really enjoyedbeing in church on a sunday, nice write thanks for the link littlefishone
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Thanks, words are all the paints I have. I try to use them to allow a persons senses to be filled so they can experience the poem, not just think about it.
My place is spiritual. I have found that being centered in this space allows me to glide more smoothly through my trials. I have also found that when I am blocked by going there and praciticing acceptance and surrender the things that blocked me often melt away.
Love, Tom B.
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Like you, I can't take the world at full force all day every day. There is a calm place which I visit several times a day, and if I forget it, then my emotions get more and more extreme. The sound of flowing water reminds me too.
The imagery of this poem takes me from hectic life to a still mountain lake, a wonderful metaphor for this peaceful calm deep inside us.
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thanks for sharing your pleasure and joy. The world holds many gifts and we have much to be thankful for. Often, it is slowing down that we find how much is waiting to be revealed to us.
Love,
Tom B.
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I just have nothing. Everything is caught up in my chest and there's nothing more I have to say
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All I can say to you, is thank you for letting it touch you so deeply and breathe.. Peace is an active verb and it takes hard work to achieve. No one can give to us. It is something we must find for ourselves. It is easier though with the support and love of friends and family.
Love,
Tom B.
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'whether'....
Your expressive event of writer's block is so much lighter than mine so I guess it means our muses burn at different heights lol...this could no more be a blockage than an eclipse of the sun. C
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I am not suffering from writer's block currently.
Obviously.
But, I have in the past and found this is the way to overcome it in a way that lasts and enhances my craft. I am sure you have noticed my spiritual edge. I could no more hide it than I hide my faith. I have no need for others to believe.
It is not going to change my path, yeah or nay. I have teased and written about poetry in play banter. Just, this once, I thought I would share in a way that truly matters.
Love, Tom B.
PS. I may learn to spell that word someday. -
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LOL Then I would have to stop telling you
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What a path. One I try to search often, but sometimes fail to find.
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When we seek to listen, sometimes we are unable to listen, sometimes we wander seeking and do not find. God would not deprive us of earning our rewards and cherishes us for being willing to do the hard lifting and celebrates the gift we give in our efforts. For sometimes you succeed. God lives in the moment, the eneffable "now." It is this space from which creation takes place. When we are present, he speaks to us in more ways than we may be able to receive. We are always changed by the event.
Live being aware of how the world is. It would be foolish not to. Live you life as a statement of how you think it should be. Others will follow. God knows.
Love, Tom B. -
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Tom, you are wise. I have said that more than once; and I'll say it again, I'm sure. I try hard to live my life the way I think it should be, but so often wind up in a place where I don't belong. It is true, however, that when you live a good life, others follow. It is the keeping up appearences that gets hard, I suppose. Once someone thinks you are happy, that you have reached a place in God of complete faith, it is as if they expect you to never have a bad day. You end up becoming a rock for so many people. A rock that wants to crumble beneath the weight.
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I am not all that wise, but it makes me happy that you think so. I have found you can live for no one but yourself. When others want you to be their rock, they do so for fear that they can not deal with the responsiblity of their own life. It is best to let the child fall while learning to walk even as you watch to be sure that it does not cause them harm. There are those who know me as a man of great faith. I had someone tell me how strong I am and I know how often I am weak, but they were right in their context. All I could do is laugh and say thanks and remind them that strength is not about falling but about getting up.
Love, Tom B. -
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So true Mr. Tomisb. For even the good book says the righteous fall seven times and rise up seven times as well. I think I have found that being strong doesn't mean we are never weak. What it means is that His grace is sufficient in our weakness. Slowly, I am realizing the meaning behind many scriptures I have clung too. I'll get where I am suppose to be, but it won't be by my own methods. It will be by the grace of a God that astounds me daily.
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Absolute-ly beautiful words and if you had to wait for this so be it....I enjoyed every word...my favorite verse is:
"The small still voice, we all seek,
makes clear, without herald of storm,
awakens the creative seeds to flourish and grow
where I had only seen barren loam."
You sopke like I always remembered....I had to read it out loud, and the meaning flowed like warmed honey...sweetly! excellent...novy
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I was sitting in Quaker Meeting. I was raised to seek the small still voice within. I guess it is why there is a spiritual component to so many of my poems. Glad you enjoyed my sharing of my journey.
Love,
Tom B.
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I enjoyed this peace and blessing...
Sometimes a sense of failure is a great means to true humility,which is what God most looks for in us.
Contemplation alerts us to our own biases, prejudices and self centered programs for happiness.'"Where are you?" Is indeed a great question of magnitude.
IN THIS POEM OF YOURS, IT TELLS US "WHERE YOU ARE." Great wisdom to share with us.
The presence of God begins to be felt very gently.
One stanza after another, very well done!
Thank you for inviting us to join you upon the banks of this quiet pond. His living water runs through us all. If we learn to take the time to be still.
May this peace abide in you and all that you do.
Spiritual awareness is designed by God to become our normal awareness. Cacophonies, can be stilled in this place.
Thank you for the special invitation to read this heartfelt poem. Keep the PEACE TOM B.
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"Silence is a prayer " is how I started and earlier poem. This is a closer look at this and how ones creativity comes, I believe, not from the chatter of the brain, but truly as a gift to the soul. Our brain may refine it and improve how we share it with techinical skills, but it starts as a moment of sacredness. At least, that is how it is for me. I knew you would see this. Thank you for all you had to say.
Love,
Tom B.
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Wonderful
Very creative and full of rich and well expressed images. Best of luck in the contest.
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Thanks for dropping by. Glad you enjoyed.
Peace,
Tom B.
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wow, amazingly writen,
good luck and take care
Stephanie ♥
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Thought you might enjoy my simple description of a forest pond.
Love, Tom B.
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This is a wonderful and beautiful write here. This has alot of feeling in this. I can say you have no more writters block
Good luck in the contest!
Now reborn to the world’s harsh clatter,
I am healed and whole where once
wounded and shattered. My words,
dried and dusty, sere, squeezed to no meaning,
once again trumpet joy are cups
rich in flavorful meaning to unclench the throat.
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I knew you would find the part that held the Jazz. Serenity and peace are in no way complacent and numb. I sure you have danced and reached a point where the high between sound and movement was transformational and transcendent. Thanks for the support. May your heaven be a doorway away.
Love, Tom B.
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Nice job on this Tom. I liked the expression presented with this work of yours. Well done and well expressed my friend. Best to you in the contest. Take care!
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Glad you enjoyed my simple path. Often when we over stress with fear and frustration at writer's block all we do it strengthen it.
Love, Tom B.
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A very beautiful and moving write...I adore the imagery of this write and the feeling that im left with as I read your words...
Best wishes with this entry...
Many blessings
~A~
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Thank you, Melissa. It is a very high compliment you have given me. I know I have written humorous poems on words and poetry in the past. This time I wanted to capture the depths and nature of how I reach to bring forward what I hope will touch in the shareing. Often the thing I need most to create is silence and a stillness in me so I can hear the gifts I am to share.
Your Friend,
Tom B.
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to know this place witout being invited by you. to know the serenity of nature. oh how it sings to us all form every where and no where. to have our minds cleared once we enter, to have Mother know that we need this time. i think you for this piece- and peace. to know that it is a simple thing but at times a war within our own heads. thanks for sharing this lovely piece. keep that pen a-flowin my friend
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Thank you. It takes practice to learn the gift of Silence and how it can become a fountain of miracles when we are ready to recieve.
Love, Tom B. -
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Tomisb How have you made yourself ready to recieve ?
How have you learned the gift of silence? How did you know "I" would understand?
Is the correct spelling cacaphony?... Or Cacophony? Do Quakers study Contemplative prayer?
When you sign "Love, Tom B"... What kind of love is this? -
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I was pretty hyper as a kid. Smart, into everything and born to be anxious. My father taught me meditaiton and as I grew older and followed the path of my mother's religion, "The Society of Friends," I was pulled deeper into this path of seeking. As a child, teenager and as an adult I have been blessed with the tools for a visionary's path.
How did I know you would understand? I, just, knew. For somethings there are no rational answers, but expressions out of faith and trust in an inner sense.
Cacaphony is the correct spelling. I like the way the sound fits the definition.
Love? I sign Love, Tom B. because I think most of what is good if not all is built in the energy of Love. It has been misused in the course of our culture and to often is confused with like, need and lust. It is truly an energy whose most perfect dynamic expression is joy. It is revelatory in nature, healing in course and when we are centered in it, not desirously seeking it, it shifts all that come in touch with us.
Love, Tom B.
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