The Sunday Whirl: Wordle #241
http://sundaywhirl.wordpress.com
game, oblivion, darkness, ancient, story, hearth,
sparks, amethyst, ground, defiant, strength, spirit
Sunday’s Whirligig: Wordle #49
http://sundayswhirligig.blogspot.com/
wilderness, hungry, thirsty, works, darkness, counsel,
thanks, enemy, north, city, fainted, praise
Poets United: Poetry Pantry #292
http://poetryblogroll.blogspot.com/
Headed North
This journey of the spirit is not a game.
Might leave a soul hungering and thirsting
after safety of home hearth and sparks
of flame that hold inner darkness at bay.
Ancient human darkness that spells
oblivion, defiant enemy, eternal wilderness
that saps the strength, strips it of hope
until it would faint from lack of further belief.
Caring works, thanks and praise, the counsel
of others who have gone before: all of these help
the soul to stay grounded, to tell its story
in whatever fashion it chooses. Until,
like a geode, it cracks that dark outer shell
and truly reflects its warm amethyst fire,
to feed and nurture any and all life that
is drawn to and by it.
Elizabeth Crawford 3/6/16
Notes: For whatever reason, the word lists reminded me of a poem I wrote a few years ago.
https://soulsmusic.wordpress.com/2011/04/24/geode-soul/ Once in my head, the words didn’t want to go anywhere but in a similar direction.
I used all of the words except city, just couldn’t find a way to get it in there. The title comes from the belief that North is the direction of Wisdom and Knowledge. The image is a photograph, put through the kaleidoscope app.
My apologies for not responding to all my visitors last week. My back has been acting up and will not allow me to sit in my computer chair for any length of time.
Soul's Music 
The words certainly led me in this sort of direction too. You piece reads very well indeed.
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Fellow-feeling and sympathy for the back pain. My poem was a little dark, but yours is beautiful
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As ever you have made the prompt words seem ‘yours’..it certainly isn’t a game – though uncaring souls may try to tell you otherwise…i love the idea of keeping the centre of yourself safe..the ore inside..that can shine and be reached with care, understanding and a sense of personal direction – also hope your back pain eases soon too
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I always marvel how you make the words slip in without and strain.. the image of the geode is a wonderful metaphor..
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I echo the sentiments by Bjorn 🙂 and gosh such powerful opening lines.
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Indeed the journey of the spirit is not a game. I like how this poem truly develops this idea.
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Wonderful work, Elizabeth. Your use of the geode at the end is perfect. Radiating warmth after cracking that exterior. May every journey get there.
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The journey to self discovery is challenging and cannot be taken lightly as you mus also face darkness. Staying grounded is the key I think.
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Yes, a very positive message “cracked” to fine 🙂
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Hope today you awake feeling better. Lovely, lovely poem…did I say, I loved it?
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Oh, this is beautiful! I adore the imagery of geode.
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I am sorry your back is acting up, Elizabeth. Rest well. I love this poem about the journey of the soul, especially the closing where it “truly reflects its warm amethyst fire”, and uses that to warm and nurture others. Very cool.
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A lovely write
Have a good Sunday
Much love…
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Beautiful!
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“Caring works, thanks and praise, the counsel / of others who have gone before:” true mantra for remaining grounded…love the deep message here…
hope you’re better now Elizabeth…
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No, this journey of the spirit is NOT a game! I like how you depicted that. Hope your back feels better soon 🙂
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Mmmm, lovely!
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