The sun, it shines, with bright light
The sky, it glistens with radiant blue
But why is the forest so dark and dreary?
the tall towering trees seem to shut out life itself-
What is this darkness but sorrow?
Pity it is, for the forest makes all of the sorrow
Pity drags through the forest
and fails to see the light.
What is that creature?
Who brought it here?
Look at its fiery color
The forest has made anger.
What is that dark object?
It seems very frightened
The object is fear,
It is afraid of nothing but itself.
Look- the forest is changing
The dark has turned to dim
A ray of light shines above a tree
and the path becomes much wider.
Could that be a bird chirping amongst the trees?
It sings such a happy tune-
The bird is birth
and its song is joy
Up ahead there is a clearing
There lies a single rose
The rose opens the forest to life
and its beauty brings love.
It is the end of the forest
and the end of the path
The flower has blossomed
and the light has shone through.

circa 1982

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I fell deep into the hole in my soul
and darkness surrounded me,
permeated me,
engulfed me
I thought no light
I had no sight
It just was not right
for me to die
so I decided to try
to live again
even without any Peace
though I thought it elusive
and to certain exclusive
I continued to search in my sleep
until I gently woke up
and continued to look
for a Light that I knew to be within me
The center of my soul
that no other could control
but the One who created me
and then I asked Spirit
if I could just get near it
my only goal,
to find Peace without killing me
Twenty-four years had passed
before I was brought to the Vast-
The vastness of space and eternity
I was a body no more
complete connection I could explore
in total freedom
and intimate reality
I had been there before,
only this time I could clearly see
That All Light came from within me
It was not darkness engulfing
It was pinholes of light
all around me
what I thought was a pit
was certainly not it
but my Oneness with all in serenity
I had to return
with so much to learn
about Light
in The Pit
of Tranquility

I would love to read comments about what you think this poem means to you. -Jayanne

I share this sonnet and photos to my own father for Father’s Day. Feel free to use the sonnet as a gift to your Dad as well (just change the last name in line eleven and gather your own snapshots)…

For a formal portrait of you and me
I looked through many photographs
The perfect picture I did not see
but it seems we’ve had lots of laughs
For so many things, I thank you Dad
with a gratitude beyond measure
Of all the advice you ever had
the “sense of humor” one I treasure
It helps me to go that extra mile
Even when I’m in a lousy mood
A simple flash of the Assunto smile
and my disposition is renewed
Enjoy these snapshots from along the way
and have a TERRIFIC Father’s Day!

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This June I turn forty
Can this be for real?
Certain bodily evidence
is now hard to conceal…
but isn’t age determined
by the way that I feel?
A pinata I purchased
the prettiest I could find
because my true age
is a state in my mind
So it’s time to celebrate
with young hearts in kind
I bought favors and candy
and fun things to share
like my unicorn pinata
each one of us rare
and of the June birthdays
I’m the youngest one there!
So in Peoa this year
my husband and I host
as we raise our glasses
for a Birthday toast
I’ll say I’ve arrived
and have Forty to boast!

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On a visit to my Uncle Rick and Aunt Karen’s, we have found ourselves attending memorial services…

Though to a Doctor of English
these rhymes may be drivel
Karen has always inspired me
and spared me literary snivel

When I blasted an e-mail
about living in a red state
Karen’s was the first response
because she could commiserate

I looked up to Aunt Karen
over so many years
as a woman of independence
with the courage to face her fears

She has a keen sense of humor
and an intelligent wit
not scared to point out
when the village has an idiot

I love my Aunt Karen
and I really do miss her
I was hoping that on this visit
I would get to hug and kiss her

But instead I’m hearing stories
more than I ever did know
seems funny that we wait
until it is time to go

If there was one message
I thought Aunt Karen was giving
It would be to seize the day
because life is for living

to learn more about my Aunt Karen
VISIT HERE

Really WOW your Mom this Mother’s Day with a special sonnet… only $25.00 at Personal Verse.  Feel free to use this sonnet (or a variation of it) that I wrote for my Mom this year.  Or ORDER A POEM that you co-create.

Jayanne and Mom circa 1973

Each and every Mother’s Day

I try to honor you with some verse

And we know that along the way

It was for better or for worse

Because we both love so deeply

It was difficult at times

To speak of you so sweetly

Within these precious rhymes

But for years now it has been easy

A very natural thing to do

The only caution to not get cheesy

As I express my love for you

So without further gushing or drama

I say Happy Mother’s Day my dear Momma!

Happy Mother’s Day!
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Honor your Mom this Mother’s Day with a beautiful sonnet from Personal Verse,
only $25.00!

Here is a sonnet for my Mom this year…

 
Each and every Mother’s Day
I try to honor you with some verse
and we know that along the way
it was for better or for worse
Because we both love so deeply
it was difficult at times
to speak of you so sweetly
within these precious rhymes
But for years now it has been easy
a very natural thing to do
the only caution to not get cheesy
as I express my love for you
So without further gushing or drama
I say Happy Mother’s Day my dear Momma!

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We spent the weekend at Absolution Ranch
for some good ‘ol Western livin’
You don’t need a priest nor penance
to know that you are forgiven… 

Down in the Colorado Paradox Valley
Where God’s greatest gifts are displayed
with incredible views and tranquil gardens
a perfect combination of sunshine and shade

Though the property is fenced for horses
we blazed our own two legged trail
the ranch rambles on past its homestead
where even more breath taking scenes prevail 

Of course we went to the Bedrock Store
the last stop for “Thelma and Louise”
a place to purchase gas, sundries and such
or merely to go and shoot the breeze

We brought the dogs to the Delores river
a place where folks put in their rafts
Buddy and Sam chased sticks in the current
while Frodo Baggins gave us all a few laughs

While enjoying the scenery from the front porch
we listened to classic old western tunes
we had truly reached Absolution
in a couple of glorious ranch afternoons

and at night I stepped out the back door
to take a look up into the sky
I gasped at so many stars up above
and the coyotes voiced their reply

A quick climbing drive up to Buckeye Reservoir
Before making the journey back home
We are blessed to have seen such a place
where the ancestors and animals roam

If you would like to make your getaway to the Absolution Ranch
contact Tina Early at 435-640-5117 or e-mail tearly@allwest.net

To document your latest adventure,

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My favorite prayer is “Help”
I often ask more specifically
with “Help me to see this differently”
and then I am reminded
about where I was amiss
Surely instead of conflict
I can see Peace instead of this…

For the one who likes to argue…

Do not cloud our light
with your need to be right
just an ego retreat
For there is no defeat
nothing to lose or to win
only error and not sin
Again we will choose
and we will not refuse
to see Peace over illusion
I forgive this intrusion
and recognize that we are One
what is Whole can not be undone

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I had the blessed opportunity to attend a retreat this weekend centering on A Course In Miracles.  The theme of the weekend was based on Lesson 155 in the Workbook.  I am honored to share some retreat theme inspired verse with you…

Let Him lead the way
in each and every thought
with every word I say
I have the Peace I sought
to not let the ego riot
so that I am able to hear it
I step back to pause for quiet
and listen to the Holy Spirit
There is nothing I need do
nothing I must correct
because only the Truth is true
my Creator made me perfect
I let Him lead the way
in each and every thought
with every word I say
I have the miracle I sought
and because I saw disturbance,
frustration, pain or grief
I trace back to the occurrence
of having that belief
and the veil is gently lifted
and the Truth again revealed
I am once again gifted
my thought of separation healed
Let Him lead the way
in every single situation
in everything I do and say
Holy Spirit transformation!

In Peace and Gratitude I want to acknowledge our facilitators, Suzanne Sullivan of The Edge Retreat and Sue Borg of It’s A Miracle Center. 
For more information about Salt Lake City area ACIM events go to http://reconnecttospirit.org/index_003.html

If you would like some verse from your own inspirations,

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