Thy Wings
To
kiss
a flower
~
To
fly
so free
~
Upon
thy
wings
~
I
yearn
to
be
~
©Robyn Lee
Click this link to enjoy a beautiful poem
entitled: Ode To A Butterfly
by Thomas Wentworth Higginson
When Love Heals
Every
now
and then
~
love
stops
everything:
~
the
noise
~
the
chaos
~
the
pain;
~
Every
now
and then
~
love
shines
its
wondrous
light
on
~
even
the
darkest
corners
~
through
~
the
fear
~
the
loneliness
~
the
struggle;
~
Every
now
and then
~
love
surprises
us
~
with
something
rich
~
something
magnificent
~
something
extraordinary;
~
And
~
Every
now
and then
~
Love
shows us
~
its
astonishing
power
~
to
Heal.
~
©Robyn Lee
A Look
Through The Healing Lens
of this special couple
I am delighted to introduce you to a most remarkable couple, Rachel and Bill, featured in the stunning image above. I was mesmerized by this photo when I first viewed it, and asked Rachel if I might display it in a post, and share her heartwarming story with my readers and friends here. She was honored.
Rachel and Bill met September 9, 2010 on a Facebook online support forum consisting of a group of patients coping with hip dysfunction, pain and surgical decisions. Slowly, and in spite of their respective pain and struggle, they discovered a magical connection across 800 miles. There were four months of letters before they met; And then, through the stressful rigors of surgery and a lengthy difficult rehabilitation, they became each other’s support, encouragement, motivation and hope. Their story is a beautiful testament to the fact that, every now and then, love shows up where we least expect it… and can, literally, change worlds. “He is my angel” were Rachel’s words to me this morning, after thanking me for seeing the magic, not only in this image, but in their love story.
I will never forget when I met Rachel on this same support forum, and we first chatted about our ongoing mission to overcome the hip problems and pain…we compared rehab strategies and surgical experiences. It was then that she told me of her new blossoming romance with Bill, one that was born of both physical pain and emotional challenge. I was deeply moved and uplifted, and now, I am doubly delighted to include each of you in the celebration, and beautiful spirit of their history.
With great joy, I dedicate this post to the beautiful union of Rachel and Bill.
They were blissfully married on September 8, 2012 .
Their story of love, healing and inspiration
has touched many lives.
Blessings and Love to them
Always!
~
Robyn Lee
For This Moment
Just
for
this
moment
~
our
eyes
lock
~
and
we
feel
peace;
~
We
promise
silently
~
to
be
still
together,
~
enveloped
in the
arms
of
nature;
~
To
behold
~
the
gentle
beauty
~
that
is
you
~
that
is
me;
~
The
world
gets
quiet:
~
a
breath
~
a
gaze,
~
and
then
~
you
are
gone;
~
leaving
me
~
to
wonder
~
if
our
meeting
~
was
merely
~
a
dream.
~~~
©Robyn Lee
Joyful Thanks
Sometimes when we seek the
song of our heart,
we discover the
music of
Joy
~
RL
Happy Thanksgiving to All!
Much Love
~~~
Robyn Lee
Poetry Of Hope
“I stay in the realm of realism,
but always carry with me the fantasy,
the romance, the wish fulfillment–
the poetry of hope.”
~~~
Lynne Greenerg
The Body Broken
During the last 2 decades I’ve read most everything I could find to help me make sense of my unexpected plight with chronic pain, and the complex medical maze that I was suddenly thrust into as a young mother at age 30. During a particularly difficult time several years ago, I read a book entitled, The Body Broken, by Lynne Greenberg. This book had a profound impact on my outlook, and my approach to life.
Lynne’s book is a lyrical memoir, written by a talented writer, sensitive soul and professor of literature who faced, quite similarly to me, a world that suddenly ‘changed on a dime’. I would recommend this book to everyone. It is a literary treasure, and poetic masterpiece that speaks honestly and directly to the plight of facing adversity, and discovering courage to reinvent a joyful life in the face of challenge, and physical pain that is not easily remedied. Lynne taught me a great deal by her noble example, and for this I am grateful and honored to share her work.
I invite you to take a few moments here to view this video clip of a brief interview with Lynne (aired on ABC with Diane Sawyer). It will provide you a flavor for her wonderful book, and also introduce you to the brave, beautiful and creative spirit that she is.
click here: Living With Chronic Pain | Video – ABC News
Much Love Always
~
Robyn Lee
My Lens
As we stand before
the garden
so
lush
~
you
ask:
“Which lens
will you choose
to view
the world?”
~
Without hesitation,
I reply:
“I choose the lens
that
illuminates
the sky…
so
I may sparkle
amongst the
evening
stars,
and
slide down
the golden rays of
morning
sun.”
~
Approvingly,
you nod,
and
query:
“Can you tell me more
about this lens
you
long for?”
~
I exclaim:
“I wish
for
this lens
to
enlighten,
and
show me
how to dance
with trees,
as they
sway
to
and
fro
with
reverence
for
wind’s most
soulful
song.”
~
You gaze at me,
with a most
curious stare,
and say:
“Ahhh, but tell me,
can you
even
find
such a
lens to call
your own?”
~
I pause,
and
wistfully
declare:
“Oh yes, Oh yes!
I will
find
this lens;
This looking
glass
that
inspires
my fingers
~
to
touch
the delicate
silken petals
of
even the
smallest
flower,
and
to
explore
the deepest
lines
ingrained
on
earth’s fallen
leaves.”
~
You sigh,
seemingly
satisfied,
“Hmm,”
you say,
in a low
contemplative
tone,
“but this wonderful
lens you
speak of…
tell me
of
the most
perfect
vision
it
will
ultimately
reveal.“
~
And then,
I smile,
slowly closing
my
hopeful eyes,
and
profess:
“I choose the lens
that guides me
gently…
through
the open
doors
of
my own
heart,
so that I
can
see
~
with perfect
precision
and
clarity
~
every
glorious
color
of
~
Your
Love.”
~
© Robyn Lee
Divide
Lines
Define
~
They
Separate;
~
Borders
~
Boundaries
~
Shields
of
Fate;
~
Beyond
the
Fences
~
That
we
Build,
~
a
Path
~
a
Link
~
True
Hearts
Fulfilled;
~
Where
Love
Flows
Like
Water,
~
Grace
Resides;
~
Moon
Beams
of
Light
…
Our
Sole
Divide.
~~
©Robyn Lee
Storm Surge
Tide Surge Raising Fear
Penetrating Eye Of Storm
Hurricane, Have Heart
~
The above self-portrait was shot at
9 o’clock pm Monday night.
This was high-tide for our area, and the
the height of intensity for Hurricane Sandy.
As many of you know, following mandatory evacuation,
I fled with my puppy to a hotel location on Sunday, and
took shelter there with many other evacuees where we lost
power, heat and hot water.
Both humans and pets shared a common bond,
in the midst of the pending natural disaster.
Together at our “safe haven” hotel, people quickly
became caring friends. There were 11-year old twin girls entertaining
Rumi for me, as people offered to share flashlight batteries, and
whatever food they brought along.
Sadly, many lost their homes, and there were
numerous heartbreaking stories of
personal struggle and devastation.
What was obvious and uplifting though,
was the instant shared camaraderie and faith among
these strangers, in the face of fear.
I am very thankful that my
home has remained mostly
in tact, less some property damage,
I will finally be returning tomorrow,
as we just received word that our power,
heat and hot water have
been restored as of this evening.
I offer continued prayers for all of those who
have suffered loss and struggle in
the wake of this powerful storm,
and want to express my most heartfelt thanks to all
of my wonderful friends here, who have kept us in
thought and prayer for safety.
Much Love,
Robyn Lee
I Must Flee
All alone in
my own
little
corner
All alone in
blog magic:
that’s
you
~
Lost in
flight
of your
words
~
With
a
vision
so
clear
~
Feel
your
touch
~
Taste
your
tears
~
All the love
that we
share;
~
But…
~
The clock,
it
strikes
twelve
~
And the
doorbell
rings
fear:
~
“ You must hurry”
they say,
“you must go,
you must
flee
~
For your
corner’s
not
safe
~
From
the
wrath
of
Sandy.”
© Robyn Lee
In the midst of my denial, while enjoying my
wonderful blog reads earlier today,
I was evacuated from my home
due to approaching Hurricane
Sandy.
Sandy, aka: Frankenstorm, is predicted
to be the most lethal hurricane
in U.S. history to hit this part
of the country.
As luck has it, my husband
is out of the state, and now
unable to obtain access to air
transportation given this
state of emergency.
I’m taking shelter with my
puppy now at a hotel location,
and hoping
the storm has mercy
on our area and
everyone stays
safe.
Will miss visiting everyone during our
impending power outages
but will be back
to “my own little corner”
to see you all as
soon as
possible.
~
With Much Love
~ Robyn Lee
Below I share lyrics from a special song,
In My Own Little Corner,
featured in
Rodgers and Hammerstien’s
Cinderella,
one of my most favorite
childhood films:
~~~
I’m as mild and as meek as a mouse
When I hear a command I obey.
But I know of a spot in my house
Where no one can stand
In my way.
~
In my own little corner
In my own little chair
I can be whatever I want to be.
On the wings of my fancy
I can fly anywhere
And the world will open
Its arms to me.
~
I’m a young Egyptian princess…
Or a milkmaid
I’m the greatest prima donna
in Milan
I’m an heiress who has always had
her silk made
By her own flock of silkworms
In Japan
~
I’m a girl men go mad for
Love’s a game I can play
With cool and confident kind of air.
Just as long as I stay in
My own little corner
All alone in my own
Little chair.
~
I can be whatever I want to be.
I’m a thief in Calcutta
I’m a queen in Peru.
I’m a mermaid dancing upon the sea
I’m a huntress on an African safari…
It’s a dangerous type of sport and yet it’s fun
In the night I sally forth to seek my quarry
And I find I forgot to bring my gun.
~~
I am lost in the jungle all alone and unarmed
When I meet a lioness in her lair
Then I’m glad to be back in
my own little corner,
All alone in my
Own
little chair.
Pier Anticipation
will
wait
for you
On
the
wooden
planked
pier
honest
and
free
the sea,
you and
me.
arrive
before
for
two;
can
bring the
chilled
wine
time.
watch
day
turn to
skies
glow
salt
air
our
eyes:
My Mother’s Light
~
Just as the magnificent sun shines high in the sky,
my Mother’s light illuminates the heart of each
soul who is so blessed to know her smile,
her kindness, her radiance…her Love.
Happy Birthday Mom;
I Love you Always!
Robyn Lee
The Mother
~Kahlil Gibran
The most beautiful word on the lips of mankind is the word “Mother,”
and the most beautiful call is the call of “My mother.”
It is a word full of hope and love, a sweet and kind word
coming from the depths of the heart.
The mother is everything– she is our
consolation in sorrow, our hope in misery,
and our strength in weakness.
She is the source of love, mercy,
sympathy,and forgiveness….
Everything in nature bespeaks the mother.
The sun is the mother of earth and gives it its nourishment of heart;
it never leaves the universe at night until it has put the earth to sleep
to the song of the sea and the hymn of birds and brooks.
And this earth is the mother of trees and flowers.
It produces them, nurses them, and weans them.
The trees and flowers become kind mothers
of their great fruits and seeds.
And the mother,
the prototype of all existence,
is the eternal spirit,
full of beauty and love.
Figs: The Secret
The Fig
is
Erotic?
Oh please,
tell me
How
~
I’d not the
slightest
idea,
until here
until now;
~
Please pardon
my
blushing,
Don’t mean
to
offend
~
But I must
share
my discovery,
Since we’re
all such
good friends;
~
So
savor this
image,
And when
your joy
is complete;
~
Learn the
secret of
Figs
Through
a poetic prose
treat!
~~~
😉 RL
Figs
excerpted from the poem
By D. H. Lawrence
~~~
The proper way to eat a fig, in society,
Is to split it in four, holding it by the stump,
And open it, so that it is a glittering, rosy, moist, honied,
heavy-petalled four-petalled flower.
Then you throw away the skin
Which is just like a four-sepalled calyx,
After you have taken off the blossom with your lips.
But the vulgar way
Is just to put your mouth to the crack,
and take out the flesh in one bite.
Every fruit has its secret.
The fig is a very secretive fruit.
As you see it standing growing,
you feel at once it is symbolic:
And it seems male.
But when you come to know it better,
you agree with the Romans,
it is female.
The Italians vulgarly say, it stands for
the female part; the fig-fruit:
The fissure, the yoni,
The wonderful moist conductivity
towards the centre.
Involved,
Inturned,
The flowering all inward and womb-fibrilled;
And but one orifice.
The fig, the horse-shoe, the squash-blossom.
Symbols.
There was a flower that flowered inward, womb-ward;
Now there is a fruit like a ripe womb.
It was always a secret.
That’s how it should be,
the female
should always be
secret.
~~~
And for even more fascinating information about this sacred, and sultry fruit :
In awe, and so very touched ~ Penny has created a post (featuring her phenomenal illustration) , and a challenge inspired by a simple comment I made on one of her wonderful blog posts ~ ‘A Pigment-of-My-Imagination’. Penny you rock! Thank you dear friend … Enjoy – and Lots of love to all! ~Robyn Lee
This one’s for you, Robyn!
In September I posted A Pigment of My Imagination . At the end of the post was a graphic (the one above). I asked viewers to tell me what it might be a picture of. One of my favorite people (who inspires with every photograph she takes and every word she writes) answered:
Robyn Lee “Ok – in the picture, I see a mystical but loving sea creature emerging from the depths of an enchanted lake — after sunset… doing his magic for the good of all of mankind.”
Since then I had been thinking about what a “loving” sea creature would look like, I thought of Robyn’s personality, one that embodies “loving” to me. Yesterday I saw a photo of a bronze rendering of a dragon and I knew I’d found her. Last night I drew this dragon on my notepad. A beautiful (I hope) female sea creature emerging!
View original post 133 more words
Will You?
Will you meet me there? Beneath the muddy surface…
Where we shed our armor..remove our masks…
Where we strip down the layers;
Where we go, willingly…
to unveil our hearts’
deepest truth.
~~~
©Robyn Lee
Please allow me to share this wonderful prose poem entitled, The Invitation, by Oriah Mountain Dreamer.
It is a favorite of mine, and challenges us all to find the inspiration, the intimacy,
the courage and the commitment to live fully, every day.
The Invitation
by Oriah
…………………………..
It doesn’t interest me
what you do for a living.
I want to know
what you ache for
and if you dare to dream
of meeting your heart’s longing.
It doesn’t interest me
how old you are.
I want to know
if you will risk
looking like a fool
for love
for your dream
for the adventure of being alive.
It doesn’t interest me
what planets are
squaring your moon…
I want to know
if you have touched
the centre of your own sorrow
if you have been opened
by life’s betrayals
or have become shrivelled and closed
from fear of further pain.
I want to know
if you can sit with pain
mine or your own
without moving to hide it
or fade it
or fix it.
I want to know
if you can be with joy
mine or your own
if you can dance with wildness
and let the ecstasy fill you
to the tips of your fingers and toes
without cautioning us
to be careful
to be realistic
to remember the limitations
of being human.
It doesn’t interest me
if the story you are telling me
is true.
I want to know if you can
disappoint another
to be true to yourself.
If you can bear
the accusation of betrayal
and not betray your own soul.
If you can be faithless
and therefore trustworthy.
I want to know if you can see Beauty
even when it is not pretty
every day.
And if you can source your own life
from its presence.
I want to know
if you can live with failure
yours and mine
and still stand at the edge of the lake
and shout to the silver of the full moon,
“Yes.”
It doesn’t interest me
to know where you live
or how much money you have.
I want to know if you can get up
after the night of grief and despair
weary and bruised to the bone
and do what needs to be done
to feed the children.
It doesn’t interest me
who you know
or how you came to be here.
I want to know if you will stand
in the centre of the fire
with me
and not shrink back.
It doesn’t interest me
where or what or with whom
you have studied.
I want to know
what sustains you
from the inside
when all else falls away.
I want to know
if you can be alone
with yourself
and if you truly like
the company you keep
in the empty moments.
~~~
from the book: The Invitation
© Mountain Dreaming,
published by HarperONE, San Francisco, 1999 All rights reserved
Aquatic Maiden
Tiny
Aquatic
Maiden
~
She
Defies
Gravity
~
Weightless
~
Drifting
Amongst
Transparent
Crystalline
Dreams.
~
Tiny
Aquatic
Maiden
~
Basking
Calmly
~
in
Clarity,
~
Gliding
~
Atop
~
Currents
of
Glistening
Peaceful
~
Bliss.
~
Tiny
Aquatic
Maiden
~
Sees
~
Through
Closed
Eyes
~
Reflected
Visions
of
~
Love
~
Dancing
About
~
The
Empty
Chambers
of
Her
Mind.
~
Tiny
Aquatic
Maiden
~
Opens
Her
Whole
Self
~
Wide
~
Welcoming
~
Sky’s
Warm
Breath
~
Sun’s
Sweet
Kiss;
~
Floating
Floating
Floating
~
to
The
Music
of
Her
Precious
Heart’s
Beat.
~~~
©Robyn Lee
Special thanks to my candid model for this post,
my beautiful 8-year-old niece, and our
Aquatic Maiden:
Miss Rebecca Jayne!
Much Love
~
Robyn
Ever notice that sometimes friends show up at just the right moment…
offering encouragement and inspiration,
not by doing anything specific,
but rather, by simply
being present?Last Thursday while I was venturing out to run an errand, following a rather difficult and isolating week,
my cell- phone rang and it was Meryl… a dear long-time friend who resides in my community.
Meryl also happens to be a member of our cherished blogsphere.
We have been friends here since my mid 20s, sharing in so many important
transitional periods of each other’s lives.We decided to meet, and hang out for a bit on a comfy bench facing our favorite Lily Pond.
It was such a delight to relish in some old-fashioned “girl-power” that day–a few giggles and tears,
reflections and hugs…And as we gazed at the emerging Lilies, I shot this photo of our adjoined shadows.Later that evening, Meryl composed a heartwarming poem and created a
special post honoring our bond of friendship. I am so thrilled to share
this with each of you today.Much Love~
Robyn Lee
we worship
the water
the sun
life on
earth
two
wombs
four girls
olive eyes
bronze skin
bouncing curls
transplanted
from the east
newcomers
friendship
re-birth
power
There’s nothing like bonding with
a girlfriend. Here’s me and Robyn Lee
hanging out on a bench with some lily pads.
Yep, we go way back… when our girls were
romping (sometimes butt naked ) on the beach.
We met at a day care center… new moms and
newcomers in this breathtaking yet lonely
place…both looking for a friend.
Then life and illness got in the way.
We had rarely spoken or seen one another
for years and years until Robyn came over for tea to
celebrate my birthday this past March. That day she shared
how she had discovered photography via her new blog—
Through The Healing Lens—how it was helping her
reconnect with the world after being isolated due
to her medical challenges and chronic pain.
Ironic, since I’m a photographer yet it…
View original post 70 more words
Savasana
In
Pain
She
Wakes
~
Facing
a
New
Dawn
~
Anticipating
~
Today
Will
Be
Different.
~
In
Pain
She
Tries
~
to
Believe
Solutions
Await
~
to
Remember
~
the
Universe
~
Is
on
Her
Side.
~
In
Pain
She
Clings
~
Tightly
~
to
Faith
~
Reassuring
Herself
~
That
if
She
~
Does all
the
Right
Things
~
Follows
the
Rules
~
Holds
the
Perfect
Posture
~
Contracts
Specific
Muscles
~
At
the
Precise
Moment;
~
if
She
Trusts
~
and
Forgives
~
Nourishes
Her
Being
~
Honors
Her
Heart
~
and
~
Loves,
~
She
Will
Heal
~
and
~
Reside
in
a
~
Kind
Gentle
Body
~
Once more.
____
But
~
In
Pain
She
is
~
Struck
~
Struck
Hard
~
By
Relentless
Agony
~
By
the
Harsh
Realization
~
That
She
is
off
Center
~
Uncertain
How
She
will
Endure
~
This
Invisible
Affliction
~
Day after
Day
After
Day
~
Night after
Night
After
Night.
~
And
~~
In
Pain
She
Knows
~
That
~
On these
Days
~
When
Resistance
Has taken
its
Toll
~
All
She
Can do
is
~
Stop
~
Call
Upon
Compassion
~
Lay her
Body
Down
Flat
~
and
~
Listen
to
the
~
Cadence
of
Her
Own
~
Consoling
~
Breath.
~~~
©Robyn Lee
Thanks to all of you for being here. Please know I am hanging in,
and so grateful to have this venue to express myself creatively, even in the difficult moments.
Although, most often, I enjoy escaping into fun and fantasy through my blog-work,
I also believe an important part of my healing process is to remain honest and open with all of you.
This artistic self-portrait and poem was composed this past Tuesday.
My healing lens, tripod and pen helped me to confront
the physical pain and emotion I was facing that day, head-on.
The yogic pose I assumed for this shot, Shavasana , was unplanned,
but later held significant meaning in terms
of self-healing.
Sometimes Inspiration finds us through our courage to embrace and express where
we are at any given moment, even if it is not where we want to be.
From there we can continue our journey forward…lighter,
and with more ease, and grace.
It means a lot to me, to have such genuine friendship and support, and a safe place to turn while
I’m working through the tough times. Thanks to each of you for your sensitive presence, and shared talents,
which remind me daily that I’m so much more than the physical challenges.
I Remain Hopeful!
Much Love~
Robyn Lee
