My throat is dry from weeping into an ocean
Where a few more droplets will not create a swell.
Nor will the sound of tears spent
Be heard above the curlew cry
Or gulls greedy, dry-throated squawk for morsels.
Can I soar above the false cries, the shouts of fury,
The passion spent and wasted on others?
As I shed my skin and stand again within my core ~ within my light
And see it travel on the wind or move along the glistening wave
Until it reaches the shore?
DR. NIAMH CLUNE (On the Plum Tree) ~ is the author of the Skyla McFee series: Orange Petals in a Storm, and Exaltation of a Rose. She is also the author of The Coming of the Feminine Christ: a ground-breaking spiritual psychology. Niamh received her Ph.D. from Surrey University on Acquiring Wisdom Through The Imagination and specialises in The Imaginal Mind and how the inborn, innate wisdom hidden in the soul informs our daily lives and stories. Niamh’s books are available in paperback (children’s books) and Kindle version (The Coming of the Feminine Christ). Her Amazon page is HERE.
When I was a little girl (a very, very long time ago), I used to love learning new, really big words like ‘discombobulate’. As I grew, my love of words grew too, until I loved them so much, I could not stop writing them down.
One day, as I was scribbling a particular word, a very peculiar thing happened. The word shouted at me, “Stop! Don’t put me there!” As you can imagine, I was shocked and nearly fell off my chair. When I recovered somewhat, I said to the word, “Could you stop shouting, please? I am not used to it.”
Can you guess what happened next? No! I thought not. The word said, “I might be small, but I will misbehave if you do not use me properly. I will not tell the story you would like me to tell. I will say something entirely different!”
I dropped my pen. I hoped that by dropping my pen, the word would stop talking. Alas! It did not. It carried on chitterchobbling, even after the ink had dried. I was in a pickle. I could not allow my words to run away with my story, now could I?
I don’t know about you, but when this sort of thing happens, there is only one thing left to do if you prefer not to spend your time arguing. “Very well,” said I. “I will do as you ask if you will just be quiet and allow me to concentrate.”
Since that day, I have been paying special attention to every word I invite into my stories. After all, a story should say exactly what it means to say and not be led astray.
With love from Dr. Niamh,
Ph.D in Learning Through The Imagination and Founder of Dr Niamh Children's Books. www.drniamhchildrensbooks.com
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12 thoughts on “Shedding Old Skins”
It’s not always easy to know where to invest our faith and energy and to what degree and when we find out we were wrong, the subsequent sense of disappointment and betrayal runs deep. The greedy gulls are a vivid illustration and idea of your light reaching shore and restoring balance is relief and a lovely close. Well done and thank you, Niamh.
There is a lot to think upon in this piece. I enjoyed the strong imagery and metaphors. I do think that it’s hard to find that inner light and peace and to be okay with not having the effect we desire on anyone else. When one wants the love and good feelings for everyone, it can be heartbreaking to see that not everyone wants the same thing or even appreciates the gesture(s). However…I don’t think the trying is ever wasted. We never know when something we say or do might influence someone, even on a subconscious level. 🙂 Anyway, I really did like this.
DR. NIAMH CLUNE (On the Plum Tree) ~ is the author of the Skyla McFee series: Orange Petals in a Storm, and Exaltation of a Rose. She is also the author of The Coming of the Feminine Christ: a ground-breaking spiritual psychology. Niamh received her Ph.D. from Surrey University on Acquiring Wisdom Through The Imagination and specialises in The Imaginal Mind and how the inborn, innate wisdom hidden in the soul informs our daily lives and stories. Niamh’s books are available in paperback (children’s books) and Kindle version (The Coming of the Feminine Christ). Her Amazon page is HERE.
The BeZine 
It’s not always easy to know where to invest our faith and energy and to what degree and when we find out we were wrong, the subsequent sense of disappointment and betrayal runs deep. The greedy gulls are a vivid illustration and idea of your light reaching shore and restoring balance is relief and a lovely close. Well done and thank you, Niamh.
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There has to be transformation of hurt that runs deep. And we must lift ourselves far above the madding crowd. Thank you, Jamie for your comment.
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Well said.
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Dear Liz. I am grateful for your comment.
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Profound poem
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Thank you, Gretchen for your lovely comment.
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The bigger ocean is just the place to drop our flowing tears and gain new perspective. I like that imagery!
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Thank you, Scillagrace…It makes no difference in the scheme of things, but helps renewal.
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Stunning imagery, Niamh, that evokes a strong emotional response..
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Thank you, Victoria. Most grateful for your comment.
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There is a lot to think upon in this piece. I enjoyed the strong imagery and metaphors. I do think that it’s hard to find that inner light and peace and to be okay with not having the effect we desire on anyone else. When one wants the love and good feelings for everyone, it can be heartbreaking to see that not everyone wants the same thing or even appreciates the gesture(s). However…I don’t think the trying is ever wasted. We never know when something we say or do might influence someone, even on a subconscious level. 🙂 Anyway, I really did like this.
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Thank you, dragonkatet for your comments. Sometimes, all there is to bo done is take care of our own hearts.
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