Praying Baby
What Inspires Poetry Writing? Published Poetry Link
POETRY SOCIETY POSTCARD (Photo credit: summonedbyfells)
The writing of poetry is an artistic form of expression eliciting deeper feelings and emotions which are written about any subject. The art form of poetry means creating poetic words with an openness expressing a personal style. Becoming a true poet is a growth process; however, there has to be something deeper inside which is expressed, and that is feeling. What inspires poetry writing? Is it a build-up of ideas or do poetic thoughts spontaneously appear?
Sit in a room and look around you or take a walk and look at the path. What do you see? Is there something that reminds you of the past? That old wooden toy or an old letter from a loving relative who is no longer with you. All of this is inspiration.
I was actually inspired to write a poem which I called “The Shadow” while waiting in a dentist’s waiting room. While observing everyone around me some people were reading magazines, some were talking, and others just sitting there.
It was important for me to somehow question their movements and feelings, but then I sensed a cohesiveness in the waiting room. Everyone appeared to have a shadowy existence, because they were trying to exist in their own reality while maintaining a separateness from all others.
The focus was on what they all had in common. In this case, the shadow, which could not be seen, but remains hidden. Much like the real self which remains hidden but becomes exposed under certain conditions. The expectation is more about life than just waiting to be seen by a dentist.
My life experiences and years of employment, people skills, and sales skills have given me a better understanding about observing and interacting with people. While writing “The Shadow”, I did not actually stare at anyone, but looked quickly around with notebook and pen in hand; then, the thought about shadows entered my head. This is how I sometimes write poetry, but this is only one way.
Inspiration to write poetry can come to you when you least expect it, and is often better when you are not even looking for something to inspire you. Just let it come. Observe people and life around you. It is all a matter of just using your senses and going beyond what you see. It is what influences and touches you on a spiritual level, and this is why I write in my poem: “We are more than shadow.”
You can check out “The Shadow” and other poems at this on-line publication:
http://dmdujour.wordpress.com/2013/04/30/stephanie-mcgowan-magical-realities/.
Saint Patrick’s Prayer- “The Lorica”
English: Saint Patrick stained glass window from Cathedral of Christ the Light, Oakland, CA. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Saint Patrick’s Prayer
The Breastplate of St Patrick “The Lorica”
I bind to myself today the strong power of an invocation of the Trinity, the faith of the Trinity in Unity, the Creator of the Universe.
I bind to myself today the might of the Incarnation of Christ with that of His Baptism, the might of His Crucifixion with that of His Burial, the might of His Resurrection with that of His Ascension, the might of His Coming on the Judgment Day.
I bind to myself today the power in the love of the Seraphim, in the obedience of the Angels, in the ministration of the Archangels, in the hope of Resurrection unto reward, in the prayers of the Patriarchs, in the predictions of the Prophets, in the preaching of the Apostles, in the faith of the Confessors, in the purity of the holy Virgins, in the deeds of righteous men.
I bind to myself today the power of Heaven, the brightness of the sun, the whiteness of snow, the splendor of fire, the speed of lightening, the swiftness of wind, the depth of the sea, the stability of the Earth, the firmness of rocks.
I bind to myself today God’s Power to pilot me, God’s Might to uphold me, God’s Wisdom to teach me, God’s Eye to watch over me, God’s Ear to hear me, God’s Word to give me speech, God’s Hand to guide me, God’s Way to lie before me, God’s Shield to shelter me, God’s Host to secure me. Against the snares of demons, against the seductions of vices, against the lusts of nature, against everyone who meditates injury to me, whether far or near, whether few or with many.
I invoke today all these virtues against every hostile merciless power which may assail my body and my soul, against the incantations of false prophets, against the black laws of heathenism, against the false laws of heresy, against the deceits of idolatry, against the spells of women, and smiths, and druids, against every knowledge that blinds the soul of man.
Christ protect me today against poison, against burning, against drowning, against wounding, that I may receive abundant reward. Christ with me, Christ before me, Christ behind me, Christ within me, Christ under me, Christ above me, Christ at my right, Christ at my left, Christ in lying down, Christ in sitting, Christ in rising up. Christ in the heart of every man who thinks of me, Christ in the mouth of every man who speaks to me, Christ in every eye that sees me, Christ in every ear that hears me.
I bind to myself today the strong power of an invocation of the Trinity, The faith of the Trinity in Unity, the Creator of the Universe. Salvation is of the Lord, Salvation is of the Lord, Salvation is of Christ; May Your salvation, O Lord, be with us forever. Amen.
This is Saint Patrick’s own prayer and is found in Christian books and on prayer cards.
Eastern European Landscape Painting
Oil Painting-Landscape
My Poem: A Poem Is Like A Painting-Love Poetry
A poem is like a painting in unison
It brings experience of higher realms into reality
And only for a moment an illusion
Of esoteric sexuality
Amidst the non worldly and carnal
A refreshing epithet for the soul
And whether plant or animal
Brings an experience to higher goals
Beauty ever present
No more turmoil
The soul effervescence like bubbles in Champaign
On a shimmering canvas you see garments shinning through
Or a woman with a pearl earring peering out at you
Her light transcends with every hue
Depicts her mortal being
Some daughter of long ago
Whereas words can sooth the savage beast
Youth wild in revelry, mating signs like a peacock obtuse
Clouds the mind for cupids broken arrow
The written expression cries out to you
Like a broken soul misguided from youth
Trying to find solace
In a bottle
Or recover conquest- translucent hue.
Words can not express a living art
But poetry knows it own heart
The Praying Hands
Albrecht Dürer - Study of an Apostle’s Hands (Praying Hands) – WGA07062 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
You pray, hands folded in peace
Together , they hold together
For a suffering world
Misguided and far from truth
I too am waiting for answers
And send my prayers to the roof
But there is only a certain time I have
Grow weary because the dew has vanished
And what is left is blank looks without answers
I can only help a few
And not many
As I hold my hands together
Then I lift them up in sweet Alleluia
To pray for all the answers
I am just a wayfarer here , Oh Lord!
And I pray that it will get better
Jesus Walking On The Water
One of my favorite passages from the Bible is Jesus walking on the water and is found in both Matthew 14:22-33, and Mark 6:45-52. It is Matthew’s gospel which adds Peter to the story, and illustrates the apostle’s attempt to walk towards Jesus on the stormy sea. This passage illustrates Jesus’ selection of Peter, and how we should attempt to reach out to Jesus.
At first the apostles, who are helpless on a boat during a storm, do not realize it is Jesus walking on the water. When Jesus sees the fearful apostles he tells them: “Do not be afraid, it is I;“ Peter ask, that if it is the son of God, Jesus should command him to walk on the water and come to him. Jesus commands Peter, who has taken the first step of faith, to come out of the boat, and he begins to walk towards Jesus; however, Peter loses courage and begins to sink.
English: Walking on the sea. Schellenberg. In the Bowyer Bible in Bolton Museum, England. Print 3714. From “An Illustrated Commentary on the Gospel of Mark” by Phillip Medhurst. Section I. Jesus commands the waves. Mark 4:35-41, 6:45-52. http://pdfcast.org/pdf/an-illustrated-commentary-by-phillip-medhurst-on-the-gospel-of-mark-section-i-to-j (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Peter tried and He almost made it. He was the first to recognize Jesus. Even though Peter listens to Jesus , and not to any other voice. Terror and uncertainty allows him to lose control of the situation. Peter believes he can walk on the water, but for him it suddenly becomes an impossibility. Peter is probably thinking: I want to go to Jesus, but I am afraid because the waters are to strong for me.
One must realize that Peter was really courageous and took the first step, he tries to fight opposition which is fear and doubt, but Jesus sees something in Peter, and it is courage to follow the Messiah. God does not chose cowards; for it is Christ who makes his followers brave. Jesus sees us for what we really are and not the way others see us.
I am writing about this passage because I am working on an art project and its subject is the miracle of Jesus walking on the water . I can picture the storming sea and feel Peter’s helplessness. Peter’s attempts to have faith is not really a failure, because his faith is growing. He will someday do what Jesus wants him to do, and this is why I sometimes feel I need to wait for Jesus to instruct me. I seek the hand of God to guide me.
This Saturday morning, a wonderful confirmation came to me. Before I drank my coffee, I opened the Bible to the Gospel of Mark Chapter 6 about Jesus’ miraculous walking on the stormy sea, and then I became amazed that this was a sign from God confirming and blessing me to continue working on this project. The subject of this work is about this very miracle. The passage was not marked in my Bible nor did I have it in my mind when I awoke this morning. It was God communicating.
Like Simon Peter there are times when we lose our courage after taking the first step, but we should continue to have courage. We are afraid of drowning, because our Christianity is not of this world, but we are in the world, and we have to cope with difficulties. Jesus grabbed Peter’s hand, and we too should reach out to Jesus. When we reach out to Jesus he will grab our hands and pull us out of our problems . We will not sink. We sometimes feel this is hard to do and wonder if we are true Christian believers. Jesus saved Peter, but he did not ask for anything back. Jesus did an act of kindness, and he was teaching Peter to have faith and follow him.
I can recall times when I was in the stormy sea and no help was available. Some outwardly refused to help. Maybe they felt being used. They want something in return. God rewards those who do good. Jesus offers sincerity when he helps. I am sure many have experienced similar circumstances.
When I meet with difficulties, and have to walk on the storming sea, I reach out my hands to Jesus and he reaches his hands out to help me. Jesus always handles the situation and calms things down.
Like he did for Peter and the apostles
Jesus does for me.
Jesus loves me.
Jesus can calm the stormy seas.
“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” (words of Saint Paul, Apostle of Jesus Christ)
Love Interfered, A Poem
Love Interfered
Never interfere with what is to be
And never break a heart that should not be mended.
Never tear a soul apart
That never should be discarded
Your eyes never stray thinking better
Then you are disillusion
By what is not really true
For desires are illusions and play tricks on you
And only last a few
Then you realize that heart-broken
That soul bent
And looking in your mirror
A life not well spent.
Love Comes Along – A Love Poem
Before I met you there was a wish for you
I did not know you and my sight was closed to you
Because there were no diamonds
I could not find you,
Search Philly for you
Cold, Sparse, Lively
Unfriendly and void of good
Searching unrequited paths
Franklin would be displeased of all the hypocrisy and disease
You were not there when their eyes were coals,
His seeing eye recording all their deeds, unrepentant still.
Can they ever see the Good?
Paths cross in the month of Aries
You came smiling to me
See the angel of divine meetings, Raphael, each worthy of each
No ulterior motive. Please.
So tired of feeling Alien among the weeds!
Then, I met you.
A soul on its journey, Renewed
God stepped in and made the sun shine through the stew
The world was full of it!
But the karmic wave
Sparkling eyes – the emerald isles – like your Heart
A fine Jewel.
The Rooftops of Kirkbride School, Philadelphia, circa1961, A Poem
My grandmother is to the right and the lady with her is one of her sisters. This picture was taken somewhere in New York or Philadelphia. I am not sure. She was from Sicily and had ten children. This picture was taken about 1950
The Rooftops of Kirkbride School
The bus arrives. I run ahead.
Away to the country, that’s why we get out of bed
Thinking of my Italian grandma now long dead
I remember my Concetina
She was my best friend
We sing on the bus, what fun
To the country, off to play with anyone
The air is clear and smells fresh like a cinnamon bun
Like soft baked bread
I want to get some from a South Philly bakery store
The bus takes us home, its occupants dispenses
to the rooftops at school boarded by iron fences
A tune to my senses
is the noise of three wheeled bikes, wagons, galore
All this fun for children who play and run
I win the race; the fastest among them, feeling tall
Their sour little faces fall
Feeling like a curtain call
I raise my hands and score
I’d obey every rule, it was a wonderful day at Kirkbride School
