healingwords: poetry for the soul

This beautiful holm oak is in the centre of a hidden grove of trees, protected by smaller oaks and brambles. Entering the grove feels like walking into the rarefied atmosphere of a great Cathedral, a sacred space of stillness.  I feel calmed and renewed leaning on the strong trunk, looking upwards through the canopy to the sky. 

Back to the healing power of nature today, walking in trees, listening to birdsong, being still, finding beauty in decay as part of the cycle of life. Death leads to rebirth, when all seems lost we can find the strength to reflect, recover and renew as spring follows winter.  © 2019 Jacqueline Knight Cotterill.  All rights reserved.  

As it is still too wet for me to walk in the trees near my Spanish home, here is a reminder of the beautiful woods in Ireland This is Cnoc Meadha Wood in County Galway, a peaceful and magical place.  © 2019 Jacqueline Knight Cotterill.  All rights reserved.  

When I first moved to Spain I was struck by not just the sunshine but the light. Even on a grey day like today, when the valley is lashed with rain and clouds hang low, I know the light will soon return. I still remember long months of cloud in England so appreciate the brightening of weather and mood. As I struggle with fear and uncertainty over my future when EU citizenship is removed from all UK citizens, along with our rights, I retain hope that, like the sun, light will continue to burn. I remember the majority of kind and good people who will keep working to improve our world and the future we leave to our children.  © 2019 Jacqueline Knight Cotterill.  All rights reserved.  

We waited to see the wild Atlantic on Ireland's west coast but day after day the sea in Galway Bay and the Atlantic coast winding south was calm, at times barely a ripple broke the mirrored surface.   © 2019 Jacqueline Knight Cotterill.  All rights reserved.  

As I am still stuck inside a hospital room I am reposting a poem that takes my mind away,  written for those of us who search for peace of mind in the midst of the storm. With love and gratitude to my dear friends. BECALMED In the eye of the storm, wearied by frenzied winds, tossed into quiet calm, momentary peace descends. Heavy lids close as head dips, hands unclench, fingers release, weight sinks into soft welcome, breath slows as soul is freed. Flying high over mountains, skimming spiked pine tops, swoop low over olive groves, gnarled gnomes trimmed with silver. Carried on citric valley breeze, funneled floating between sleeping giants, guarding passage to bay curved in sand smile. Catch a rising warmth, sky flyer soaring, dazzled by healing light, sun mirrored on gilded sea. In flight find freedom, sea charge, strength renewed, mind calmed in balance, as voice carries and spirit flows. ...

When all is too much I climb the mountain or stand by the sea and let my worries fly away on the wind.  LOST IN THE WAVES Skin tight with salt sting, tangled hair whipped by wind’s frenzy, mind takes wing, thoughts dissolving, lost in enveloping spray, sea whirled skywards, mist swirling, like the circling gannets, black tips shadowing their glinting prey.  © 2018 Jacqueline Knight Cotterill.  All rights reserved.  

Today I am posting a poem written for those of us who search for peace of mind in the midst of the storm. With love and gratitude to my dear friends. BECALMED In the eye of the storm, wearied by frenzied winds, tossed into quiet calm, momentary peace descends. Heavy lids close as head dips, hands unclench, fingers release, weight sinks into soft welcome, breath slows as soul is freed. Flying high over mountains, skimming spiked pine tops, swoop low over olive groves, gnarled gnomes trimmed with silver. Carried on citric valley breeze, funneled floating between sleeping giants guarding  passage  to bay curved in sand smile. Catch a rising warmth, sky flyer soaring, dazzled by healing light, sun mirrored on gilded sea. In flight find freedom, sea charge, strength renewed, mind calmed in balance, as voice carries and spirit flows. © 2018 Jacqueline Claire Knight.  All rights reserved. ...