Spiritual First Thursday

Carol Varsalona is hosting today, and has asked us to speak to "Poetry as a Spiritual Practice of the Heart" in our small group of bloggers who take turns hosting the First Spiritual Thursday of each month.  Visit Carol at Beyond LiteracyLInk where she has posted links what others have said about this topic today.

I am also involved in the Blogging AtoZ Challenge, and just happen to have this first poem posted earlier for today, and the second poem is for tomorrow.   Coincidentally, they both speak to my need to write poetry that refreshes, renews and reminds my heart and soul that there is more to this life than meets the eye - that there is more to love about the world than hate; that when you are down, you are only on your way up.  I cannot be a poet who dwells in the depths of despair; nor can I pick out the grays and browns of life unless I also note their potential for growing flowers, for creating works of clay or sculpture, or leading to better days of vibrant color. 

I have things in my life, as we all do, that I could dwell on and get mired in if I so choose.  But I choose to write with a happy heart, a hopeful spirit, and uncompromising words.  Some poets would say then I am not being "real", that my work lacks heart because it doesn't use strong language, is not bordering on offensive or intrusive, does not make statements about social or political agendas, has little to do with the finality or brutality of death, or have any gruesome bent.  Well, I would beg to differ.  My heart has always looked for the good,  been willing to give the benefit of the doubt, wanted to sing, wanted to spin in a swirly dress, loved the warm nuzzles of a horse, and been waiting to see what the next good thing will be that God has in store for me.  

Poetry helps keep me singing, thinking, appreciating, loving and doing!  I thank God for every frosting drizzled day he has given me, and I thank Him for every rain drizzled day, too.  For only then can I know how delicious that frosting is!

I only realize how much is on my plate and how heavy it is when I stop and think about it.  There really is too much to handle alone.  Thinking about it does NOT help.  Poetry immediately turns my head and heart away from the worry about the things I cannot control to the miracles around me, and the comfort that I am NOT doing it alone.

• John 16:33 These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

• Ephesians 5:19 Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;

I need to keep writing.  I need to listen to that quiet voice.  Sometimes it rhymes.

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Ever Young

Your
secret
for staying
forever young
is to forever
love the moments given,
to hold each new encounter
wrapped in the tissues of your heart,
releasing them again for others
as words vibrant with new color and depth.

by Donna JT Smith, 2018
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Fix 'Em

A broken voice
quavers
as a soul's cry
shimmers the
sidewalks
with shards of 
the lost whole
silica again
it is not
dust to dust
time
the weatherman calls for
cleansing showers
to revoke stains
and restore
mirrors
press through
all is right as
healing rain.

by Donna JT Smith, 2018
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