THE ABBEY

Secluded and peaceful,

Its past buried in the mists of time,

The ruins of this once majestic abbey

Stand aloof and alone upon the wild moors,

Nestled in between rolling green hills,

And trees hundreds of years old, bent and gnarled by time

That now tower over the abbey ruins,

As Mother Nature, slowly but surely,

Claims back her territory, burying the secrets

That time forgot.

 

On a cold winters day

All becomes so quiet,

Even the winter breeze dies away,

Leaving a stillness of quiet respect

Upon sacred ground.

With the bright winter sun streaming down,

Thousands of White Maidens open their delicate petals,

Revealing their tiny green hearts.

The rustling bushes are the only sign that I’m not here alone,

As the birds and the squirrels are busy preparing

For the coming of spring with the newness of life.

 

Sitting quiet and still,

Respectfully do I seek out its mysteries,

That are found in the silent energy

That flows through this ancient site.

The crumbling walls still whisper sacred wisdom

To those who are willing to wait and listen.

Distant chanting reaches my inner senses

Weaving its healing calm through my soul,

As cloaked figures walk by candlelight

Through the corridors of time.

 

They softly call for me to be still

And to drink in the beauty that lies all around me,

Until a little robin lands close by,

Breaking my peaceful reverie with his sweet song,

With his tiny head cocked to one side,

And a beady eye inspecting me,

As if questioning my presence on this, his territory…

I can’t help but smile with delight

As his boldness brings him ever closer…

No doubt to see if I have food to offer

Or perhaps to show off his smart red breast coat.

 

And then he takes flight

To sing his song that all may hear it…

‘This is my territory, and only my true love may enter’.

Alas! My time here is up, and I must depart,

With a reluctant heart do I slowly make my exit,

Leaving the ancient ruins to slumber once more

Whilst holding onto their secrets,

Until another gentle soul in need of respite

From the merry-go-round called life,

Comes knocking at the door to enter a world

That time forgot.

 

© A. Clarke

 

The White Maidens are also known as Snowdrops and when their outer petals open you will see 3 inner petals with tiny green upside down hearts on them

NEW YEAR 2010

 

Another year has passed,

Full of hope do we look forward

As 2010 awaits to open before us.

So many memories lie in the years that have passed

Both good and bad,

So many battles were one and lost,

So many scars have left their mark,

But the choice remains ours

As to whether we allow the passage of time

To heal what has been broken.

 

So enduring is the spirit that dwells with us,

So powerful and strong, so full of beauty and love,

So compassionate and understanding.

But the choice remains ours

As to whether we touch the world around us

With the gentleness of our soul

Or whether we choose the human frailties

To lash out in anger, or manipulate what is not meant to be,

Causing pain to others where ever we go.

 

2010 will give you so many choices

There will be mountains to climb,

Rivers and streams to cross,

People to help, and others to help you.

There will be tears to shed and laughter to share,

Rainbow bridges to build that you may reach out to others.

All that is asked of us is that we try our best,

Be mindful of your words and gentle with your footprints

For there will be many hearts where you will leave your mark.

 

Wishing you all the very best for 2010.

May your needs be met

May your trials and tears be few

May your life be blessed with laughter and smiles

And the warmth of many a caring heart.

 

Blessings of love, light, smiles and prayers

Ali

© Ali. C.

 

Fairy Nanna

A Gentle soul who has endured,

For her life's path

Was not for the faint of heart.

The thorns of life that pricked and scratched,

Drew many a silent tear and a heavy heart.

But like the stem of the graceful rose,

Fairy Nanas soul grew firm and strong,

A pulsing light from within,

Growing brighter as the years unfolded.

For despite the hardships that were dealt her,

Her choice was to open each delicate petal,

Thus allowing a rose to bloom within her soul.

 

The fairies, upon seeing such a beautiful rose,

Could not resist the temptation to come and play.

Leaving gifts of colour and enchantment,

Allowing Nanas mind to take flight,

With sweet imagined possibilities for her to create.

Working hard through Nanas disabilities,

Unseen hands guiding hers, over fabrics and seems,

Until beautiful creations take shape,

Bringing magic, joy and hope

To all that see and touch them.

 

For those that look with their hearts,

They do not see the frail crone,

With her many disabilities standing before them,

But a beautiful rose in bloom,

Where fairies dance and clap with joy,

In the radiance of her beauty,

Whilst bestowing gentle kisses on her forehead.

For she is an honouree fairy,

A shining example of a rose in full bloom,

Opening out towards the light,

Sitting proudly above the thorns that tried to ensnare her,

Thus providing a guiding light that others may follow.

 

Blessing of healing do I send to thee,

Upon gossamer wings

Are my healing blessings safely carried,

Over seas to a land faraway

Through enchanted mists and forests,

Over mountains and meadows and babbling brooks,

That each in turn may bestow their healing energy

To caress your weary body

To cleanse and refresh your tired mind

To bring and inner peace and grace to your soul.

 

Namaste Sweet Child, Namaste

 

© Ali C

 

SUNRISE - SUNSET

And everything in between
Is the Creator's grand scheme
To depict the many shades and colours
That represent a sacred dance called life.

And all of nature joins in the dance
Both in shade and sunshine alike,
For whatever the weather
The dance must continue
Through highs and lows
And everything in between.

As we strive and struggle
To come out from the shadows
Into the light of a brand new day
All that is asked is that we try our best
For nothing worthwhile ever came easy.

At the end of day
As the sun begins to wane
I share in the beauty of what is God's domain
And send this prayer to my guardian above.

Please protect my soul as I sleep
That it may be held in love's Divinity
Giving me the strength to grow in wisdom
And the gentleness of heart to reach out to others.

No matter the hardships that life has dealt me
Help me grow in beauty from within.
And as the sun rises with each new day
May I reach up to place my hand in yours
Thus allowing me to dance within the light
Giving hope to others along the way.

© A. CLARKE

Sorry its been awhile since last here. Have had to use my daughters computer as still off line after house move almost 3 weeks ago.

Hoping to be back on line in a few days from my own computer once again.

Its been hectic here, and can get no further with unpacking boxes, so have been occupying myself by tackling the garden as past owners only planted large grass things [sort of stuff found in hot countries]. So I've been trying to dig them out, and have planted old fashioned cottage flowers. Already the bees, insects and butterflies are returning...Yeeeaaahhhhhh. Still a lot more to plant, but at least there is some colour back in the garden. Have to go, daughter needs computer back.      Hugs and Blessings

Ali