This poem was inspired by this painting (which I am seriously lusting over) by a fabulous artist, Leah Piken Kolidas.  Leah’s painting and this poem both reflect a process that has become essential to me over the last couple of years – learning to hear and listen to my own inner wisdom and knowledge.  I spent a lot of years running from my inner self and it has been an interesting challenge to learn to listen to myself again.  Being still and being quiet in order to hear my inner wisdom has never been an easy process for me and I have commited, in the last couple of years, to learning to do just this.  It’s been an interesting journey, the first half of 2009 in particular.  I’ve found that as challenging, and scary, as it can be for me to open myself to that stillness and quiet within me – my life goes much better and I am much happier when I follow the wisdom of my inner voice.  For me, going out in the woods or being next to a river are the best ways to help me to still the fear and chatter in my mind and allow me to hear that wisdom within.  Doing this poetry every day challenge has also been surprisingly helpful in giving my inner wisdom a clearer voice.

So, I give you Listen Deep, inspired by the beautiful painting, Listening.

Feel the Earth beneath me
Soil warmed by the sun
Press my ear
And slow my breath
Listen deep
For the voices of the ages
Quiet the worldly chatter
Ancient wisdom
Flows beneath –
Whispers within
Lie upon the Earth
And steady
Voices of the heart
Are speaking
All the answers
Sought and buried
Awaken to whisper
As I still
And listen deep