Calming Fear
pressed
like
a pancake
flat on
my back
help me
find
my arms
my legs
my breath
help me
feel
the warmth
see beyond
the fire
help me
float
between the
blankets of fear
~~~~~~~~~~
©Meryl Spiegel 2012
~~~
Special thanks to fellow-blogger and friend, Meryl, who wrote this emotional poem for her own post last week entitled, Help. I was touched by her heartfelt words, and thought they would make an excellent companion for my feature image today. We are excited to share this collaboration, and hope you enjoy. Please visit Meryl’s site at Recovery Thru My Lens to view her photo, and read her own personal narrative, Help « Recovery Thru My Lens reflective of her post…sentiments many of us can empathize with.
Much Love ~ Robyn Lee
THROUGH THE HEALING LENS 
i was touched by the writing then I looked at the photo quizzically then noticed the layers of clouds and the house and tied it in with the words. it is intriguing how you connect with others and collaborate on a project. Well done, both of you!
July 17, 2012 at 11:53 PM
Thank you Jane! Yes, this photo was taken back in the spring… the layers of clouds almost closing in on the land and sea ~ just seemed perfect for Meryl’s powerful poetic verse. Her photo of last week has a smilier feel. Wonderful to collaborate with Meryl, especially on such a personal piece. We really are all connected 🙂 So appreciate your comment ~ Blessings, Robyn
July 18, 2012 at 12:07 AM
spectacular!
July 17, 2012 at 11:53 PM
Thank you dear Buck!! So glad you enjoyed. Be sure to visit Meryl’s blog – I think you may find her story particularly interesting and enjoy her great work! ~ Much Love, RL
July 18, 2012 at 12:12 AM
yes i did drop by and read a couple, i will go back, because i couldn’t find her story.
July 18, 2012 at 10:39 AM
Oh great Buck…fyi, she has some drop down menus at the top of her homepage (About, and My Life will give you more personal insight with regard to her journey). Sending good thoughts your way today! ~ RL
July 18, 2012 at 10:45 AM
thank you, i did check out the drop down menus but i will go back and look again!
July 18, 2012 at 10:47 AM
found it!
July 18, 2012 at 10:50 AM
🙂
July 18, 2012 at 10:53 AM
What a great collaboration. Thank you Robyn for introducing us to Meryl.
July 18, 2012 at 12:08 AM
Thank you Julie…and you are most welcome! She has an amazing blog, spirited and talented lady. xo
July 18, 2012 at 12:10 AM
I hesitated to say this in my previous comment then thought why not? The photograph and the words give an unbearable impression of pain – so effective and disturbing.
July 18, 2012 at 12:11 AM
Oh yes Julie, I felt the same when reading her words… and although her pain during this writing was of a different sort than mine, I was moved in many ways and felt connected instantly…. and then remembered this photo I took back in the spring but never used, thus our collaboration. Interestingly the photo she posted with her poem has some commonality with mine… you will see xo
July 18, 2012 at 12:17 AM
very well done. great collaboration
July 18, 2012 at 12:32 AM
Thank you boomie! Appreciate much 🙂
July 18, 2012 at 12:34 AM
just visited Meryl’s post. A very touching poem.. and your lovely photo suits it..
July 18, 2012 at 1:30 AM
Thank you nightlake… felt the same and was honored to partner with her here 🙂
July 18, 2012 at 1:35 AM
Wonderful combination…I thought of you when I read the words….even though they weren’t your words…they speak for many….sigh….
Sending you light….the photo is regal and stunning….and peaceful…like returning to a spiritual home in the sky. Hugs sea sister. 🙂
July 18, 2012 at 1:42 AM
Thank you dear Sam….yes, I think Meryl’s words express emotion that most all of us have known ~ perhaps for different reasons, but fear and pain are amongst the universal languages of life I’m afraid. Her narrative on how and when to ask for help is very moving as well. I am glad you enjoyed the collaboration and see “hope” in my image too 🙂 I like your interpretation of the “spiritual home in the sky” — so can see it now!! You are so wise Sam – and I appreciate you … Much Love SS xo
July 18, 2012 at 1:50 AM
This is a wonderful photo to go with such wonderful words.. you make a great team and the photo is stunning, such a great composure. Thank you for the share…
July 18, 2012 at 4:13 AM
Thank you bulldogstruf! Means a lot ~ glad you enjoyed. 🙂
July 18, 2012 at 10:18 AM
Robyn, thank you for honoring my words with your peaceful image… .I love the “Calming” effect in the image and the title…brings hope to the message….so touched that you featured my work here…and so gratifying….much love and many prayers for your recovery….xoxomeryl
July 18, 2012 at 5:34 AM
Most welcome always Meryl…. as I meditated longer on your words and the photos I realized that this post was truly a perfect compliment to your post (photo and poem) – as the more I focussed on my image, and then looked at yours, I observed that although similar in regard to top/bottom clouds closing in… this image (above) offers “space” and that body of water to help “float” us between the “blankets of fear”.
Was very struck by the implications of that imagery…. and yes – hopeful.
Warm thanks for permission to feature your heartfelt poem here today, and also for your loving prayers.
Much Love
xo Robyn
July 18, 2012 at 10:24 AM
Thanks for the link to Meryl’s blog and your amazing photo.
Will look forward to reading some of Meryl’s words.
July 18, 2012 at 5:48 AM
Thank you so much, and very welcome Victoria… BTW, Meryl is an accomplished (20+ years) photographer, who happens to be a writer too… but given your passion for the images, you may appreciate that aspect of her blog very much too. Hope you enjoy ~ and very grateful for your comment 🙂
July 18, 2012 at 10:29 AM
Good morning Robyn, hope your sleep was restful and as peaceful as it can be. I’m not a big pray’er but I have my faith. It’s sort of a Universal faith. I believe God looks after all of us, right? So even if different people approach their beliefs from individual perspectives, it’s all just one and the same, at least to myself. So this morning after reading your contemplative thoughts regarding my post (thank you so much) I closed my eyes and said a prayer on your behalf. Just a quiet whisper of one that went out into the air. One that I hope is answered. Have a good day today my friend. 🙂
July 18, 2012 at 11:57 AM
Thank you so much dear Penny. Sounds like we have the same flavor of ‘faith’ too 😉 It matters not to me in what historical context that faith originates, faith is a universal right to all of us as I see it. Prayer comes in many forms as well (as demonstrated here in Meryl’s poetic verse) … Thank you for yours today, am most humbled by your generosity… You have a lovely day as well!! xo
July 18, 2012 at 1:02 PM
Beautiful…spectacular photo to match the words! I can related to the poem.
July 18, 2012 at 12:26 PM
Thanks so much Fergi!! So happy you appreciated the photo and verse together ~ and also were able to relate. Much appreciate your comment. ~RL
July 18, 2012 at 1:03 PM
Calming fear: Fear can emerge when one least expects. A powerful way is through meditative deep breathing. And yes Faith is important too.
Kind regards & cheer.
July 18, 2012 at 12:54 PM
Thank you for this insight Dilip! I do agree… meditative breath work is sooo powerful during these waves of fear that most all of us confront at one time or another…. I think it’s through the breath that we tap into Faith too…. Much Love & Cheers to you as well!!
July 18, 2012 at 1:05 PM
Lovely poem and the photo looks so inviting. I’m smoothering in the concrete jungles of NY heatwaves. 93 degrees humid sticky and feels like 100 degrees. I want to be in that water.
July 18, 2012 at 12:58 PM
Thank you dear Kim ~ yes this photo does have that space that invites — and hopefully lifts us out of the fear state that Meryl so eloquently expresses here.
As for the NY heatwave – I am in it with you ~ though fortunate to have a 10 degree advantage being close to the shore. Sounds like a beach day is in order for you~ Stay cool… With Love ~
July 18, 2012 at 1:08 PM
Yes I’m thinking about it seriously. 😀
July 18, 2012 at 1:19 PM
🙂 until then – a wet head helps– and lots of hydration!
July 18, 2012 at 1:44 PM
windy and cloudy now maybe rain soon. 😀
July 18, 2012 at 4:15 PM
🙂 will cool down the heat ~ here too~ Feel good Kim!
July 18, 2012 at 4:19 PM
You too.
July 18, 2012 at 4:21 PM
Firstly, thank you for your visit Robyn 🙂
Appreciate knowing this- is worth effort to bring the emotions, power and strength together for Meryl.
~mani~
July 18, 2012 at 2:26 PM
Thanks so much mani, I agree, there is power in expressing ones emotions and knowing you are not alone. It was my pleasure to partner with Meryl for this post~ so glad you enjoyed. Much appreciated the posts I visited today at your blog as well! ~ RL
July 18, 2012 at 7:05 PM
Here there is beauty in words, in the photograph, in the friendship of two great friends …
Abrazos para ti Robyn y para Meryl…
Carlos
July 18, 2012 at 4:45 PM
Oh Carlos – you always have such lovely sentiments to offer. Thank you dear friend… Hugs to you as well ~RL
July 18, 2012 at 7:06 PM
Catching up today…gorgeous! I loved the sentiment written here too. Now need to go visit her site. xo
July 19, 2012 at 10:00 AM
Awesome….they compliment each other well!
Celeste
July 19, 2012 at 5:39 PM
Just absolutely beautiful…perfect collaboration! I think about you often and hope you’re doing well sweet friend! Love this post and very much look forward to visiting Meryl. Hugs & Blessings! ~
July 19, 2012 at 7:14 PM
Great photos, I love them, Thanks
October 1, 2012 at 8:12 PM
So glad to hear that Md Alsanda — hope you enjoyed your visit to my “Healing Lens” — i had a nice time at your place as well!! Thank you! ~R
October 1, 2012 at 8:14 PM