REACHING
When I bent down to pick up the pieces of my life,
I shoved my hands into the black soot of death and
reached through the bitter haze of unspent emotions,
to find fragments of me, inert, motionless and suffocating.
*
When I bent down to pick up the pieces of my mind,
I found a tiny girl child, wrapped like a mummy
in wordless memories weightier than her
tiny shoulders could carry. Though carry she did.
*
When I bent down to pick up the pieces of my soul,
I found an embryo who bargained with the devil,
who gave up choice in order to live, an uneven exchange
that lasted nearly a lifetime. She kept her promise.
*
When I bent down to pick up the pieces of my will,
I found a stomping mad two-year old who knew
her own mind, and suffered the consequences
for the knowledge. She stomped anyway when she could.
*
When I bent down to pick up the pieces of my heart,
I found an innocent, carefree child with
a passionate love for all things seen and
a deep reverence for the unseen.
*
When I bent down to pick up the pieces of my body,
I found a source of energy and flow
that I never knew existed, for it had been
traded at birth…or before.
*
When I bent down to pick up the pieces of my spirit,
I found light and power, guidance and vision,
angels and guides a thread through my life
never to be broken.
*
When I bent down to pick up the pieces of my life,
I put down the yoke of fear, set aside the sorrow,
and abandoned the dark rivulets of despair.
I cancelled the bargain with the devil.
*
Now, I no longer bend down. I reach up instead.
Outstretched arms, fingers pointing toward the sky.
I stand anchored, connected, grounded in the earth,
heart wide open, assembled.
All the important pieces collected.
© Dorothy Sander
BOOKS By Dorothy Sander
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Beautifully written words. Thank you.
Thank you!
This is incredibly beautiful!
Thank you, Allison!
Dorothy, I loved this poem. I’m not usually a fan of poetry, but this was lovely, and poignant. Thanks for sharing it with us.
Thanks,Lucinda!
Loved it!
This poem is one I will always keep as it expresses my unexpressed so beautifully! I have often felt the being bent and the journey being that of reaching I struggle with words and always look forward to reading yours.
I offended wondered what I would want read at my end time celebration…this is it.
Thank you so much for all your sharing your heart!
I am deeply touched by your words, Marcia. Sharing my heart helps me heal and when it helps another it is always an unexpected blessing for which I feel a very deep gratitude…a gratitude for the completed circle…and for being a part of something so much bigger than myself. Sending you love, Dorothy
Dorothy – my first response after reading was a deep exhalation and sigh! What a lovely poem holding not only your truth but so many of ours. The key is the shift – the knowledge and acceptance that it is time to reach up instead of down – then marvelous things happen! Thank you for the reminder and for sharing your gift!
So glad you enjoyed it! Thank you. 🙂
Loved this poem! I thought I knew how to express myself in poetry until reading your poem:) And thanks for liking my blog post.
Blessings,
Clara
Thank you, Clara! That’s quite a compliment!