Hope & Healing Through Photography and Poetic Expression

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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.

Enjoy! ~RL
~~~

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

Posted by  |  October 1, 2012 | Categories: Fall 2012, Pain Shadow Series, Philosophy, Spiritual | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 85 Comments

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

Posted by  |  September 28, 2012 | Categories: Children, Fall 2012, Spiritual | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 65 Comments

 

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

 

recoverythrumylens's avatarRecovery Thru My Lens

adjoined
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

Posted by  |  September 26, 2012 | Categories: Fall 2012, Pain Shadow Series, Spiritual | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 43 Comments

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

Posted by  |  September 22, 2012 | Categories: Fall 2012, Pain Shadow Series, Self Portrait, Spiritual | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 145 Comments

Horseshoe Crab Healer

Meet the Sea Creature
we call: Crab of
Horseshoe;

 You may wonder why he is
worthy of a post,
and splashy
photo too.

~~

Unlike us humans,
having blood
iron
red;

 The Horseshoe Crab
emits serum of
blue copper
instead.

~~

 This ancient living fossil
is a
healer and
a
friend;

 He may even save your
very life,
time and time
again.

~~

His blue blood
possesses unique
and
wondrous
powers;

 Exposing toxins in our drug supply,
and alerting us
to lurking bacterial
prowlers.

~~

This marvelous shelled creature
boasts ten compounded eyes
containing a thousand
sensors of
light;

Making medical research on our
own optic nerves a
most successful
plight.

 ~~

With such precious gifts to give us,
Having existed long before
dinosaurs ever
roamed;

Let us vow to protect the
Horseshoe Crab,
and honor him
with this
poem!

~

© Robyn Lee

~~~

* Enjoy learning more enlightening facts about this miraculous creature:

Natural History: The Amazing Horseshoe

How the Horseshoe Crab protects Public Health:

Medical Uses

Posted by  |  September 20, 2012 | Categories: Summer 2012 | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 91 Comments

Vision Quest

Swept away
on
a
Vision Quest

 ~

In
The midst
of
a
Whirlwind

~

My
Rite
of
Passage

~

Delivers
me
Safely

~

To
a
Cherished
Space

~

Nature’s
Purest
Place

~

Where

~

Buried
Deep

~

Under
Golden
Grains

~

I
find
a
Treasure

~

My Lens;

~~~

Standing
Alone

~

Secure
in
Wet
Sand

~

I
Look
Through

~

And
Within

~

Seeing
From
New eyes

~

Magnified
Truth

~

Empowered
Presence

~

Illuminated
Self;

~

My
Eyes relax

and

~

Focus
Converges

on

~

All that
is
Love

~

All that
is
Me;

~

Blinded

~

From
Fear

~~

Shielded

~

From
Pain

~~

My Lens

~

Exposes

~

That
Which is
Real

~

That
Which is
Illusion

~

Altering

My
Vision

~

Eternally

~~~

©Robyn Lee

 My first nature excursion in about 6 weeks!

On Friday at 4 pm I had an enchanting encounter with the sea.

A healing moment indeed.

Thanks to each of you for being so incredibly loving and supportive,
and sending me such passionate healing energies as I continue my journey.
I know they hold great power, and I love you all for the special souls you are.

~Robyn Lee

Posted by  |  September 15, 2012 | Categories: Pain Shadow Series, Philosophy, Self Portrait, Spiritual, Summer 2012 | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 96 Comments

Uplifted ~ A Dedication

~~

 Uplift me
Today

 Beside you
I’ll stay

~~

Loving strength
You extend

Broken pieces
We’ll mend

~~

Despite dares
That we face

Conjoined faith
We embrace

~~

Roots of passion
Persist

Amongst perilous
Twists;

~~

So

Together
We
Soar

~~

Bound as
One

Evermore.
~

©Robyn Lee

To all of my wonderful blog friends,

I dedicate this post to all of you who have been my ‘uplifters’ over these past several months. I have been deeply moved by  your collective love and support with regard to both, my ongoing medical challenges, and my creative journey through blogging. The friends I’ve made here are some of the kindest and most generous and genuine people I’ve known. You have all  touched my soul, and taught me so much. 

Currently, I am facing more difficult times physically, and will need to reduce my blogging schedule temporarily. I want to let everyone know that I will be reading and posting whenever I can, and also want to express my heartfelt thanks and appreciation to all of you angels who have uplifted me in more ways than I can describe!

You are truly a phenomenal group, and I’m blessed to know each and every one of you.

Much Love, Gratitude and Wellness Always~

Robyn Lee

 

Posted by  |  September 7, 2012 | Categories: Pain Shadow Series, Spiritual, Summer 2012 | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 140 Comments

Sound Effects

“If you listen to certain photographs very carefully,
you will hear faint echoes of
laughter.”

~Robyn Lee

Posted by  |  September 3, 2012 | Categories: Children, Spiritual, Summer 2012 | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 105 Comments

Seeking

We search
to find
that which we
seek

Beyond the
skies
and ocean
deep.

~~

Our vision
blurs and
colors
fade

We ask
if there’s a
debt to
pay.

~~

We seek
for
Love

We look
for
Truth;

~

We seek
for
Joy

We yearn
for
Youth.

~~

We seek
for
Wisdom

Embracing
rules;

~

And then
we
pray

They’ll
get us
through.

~~

We seek for
Romance

Passion
too;

~

We crave to
sense

The world
anew.

~~

We seek to solve
the hurt
and
fear;

~

In our
Calm
Resolve

It
finds
us
there.
~~~

©Robyn Lee

Posted by  |  August 30, 2012 | Categories: Philosophy, Romance, Spiritual, Summer 2012 | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 89 Comments

Dream Harvest

These dreams I have planted
Deep under the sand;

I tenderly nurture
With kind faithful hands.

Sown with seeds of my heart,
Drenched with tears from above;

I await the great harvest:
Manifest Dreams
Grown of
Love.
~~~

©Robyn Lee

Posted by  |  August 27, 2012 | Categories: Pain Shadow Series, Spiritual, Summer 2012 | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 91 Comments

The Finale

The time has
Come.

She
Composes
Herself

After a long
Gratifying
Day,

Slowly
Spiraling
Down

to
Commence

The Grand
Finale

of

Yet
Another

Stellar
Performance.

~

He
Waits

Beneath
the
Dimly
Lit

Golden
Sky

Anticipating
Her

Glorious
Descent,

Longing
For

The
Moment

He’s
Envisioned

All
Day.

~

The
Moment

She gracefully
Dips into
His

Fluid
Embrace;

~

The
Moment

She
Glides

Atop
the
Moist
Ripples

of
His

Unyielding
Crests;

~

The
Moment

He
Sizzles,

Feeling
the

Impassioned
Electric
Charge

of

Her
Heart’s
Fiery rays;

~

And

The
Moment

She Sets

Herself
Down
Tenderly

Over
His

Strong
Exhilarated
Body.

~
But
~

He
Reminds
Himself that

This
Ecstatic
Moment

Will be
Brief,

 And then
Without warning

She will
Mysteriously
Vanish;

Fading

Into
Pure
Nothingness,

Disappearing

Below
Dusk’s
Horizon,

 Beyond the
Sheer
Curtain

of

Night’s
Darkness,

Leaving behind
Only

Her

Faint
Glow

Warm
Mist

Radiant
Memory.

 ~

And he will
Harbor

This
Memory

Deep

Within
His
Core,

Breathing

Her
Luminous
Energy

In
and
Out

All
Night long

~

Secure
In the
Knowing

That with
Tomorrow’s
Dawn

~

She will

Shine

Upon
Him

Once More.

~~~

©Robyn Lee

Posted by  |  August 25, 2012 | Categories: Romance, Spiritual, Summer 2012 | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 131 Comments

Portals

Brilliant steel potentiality:
Calling me forth, like a
Magnetic portal to
A new place
and time;

Arched over blue expanse of
Liquid fire mystery;
Connecting
What is:

to what
can
be.
~

©Robyn Lee

~~~

Heartfelt thanks to guest photographer, my dear Aunt Renée who honored me by allowing me to feature her stunning image in my post today. I admired this new photo on her Facebook page earlier, and it inspired me to write the poetic verse above. She captured this beautiful shot in Astoria Park NY, beneath the 2 bridges pictured (Hell Gate Bridge and Triborough Bridge ).

I think a new hobby may be calling her forth ~ don’t you?! 

Thank you Aunt Renée ~ I Love You 

Posted by  |  August 21, 2012 | Categories: Philosophy, Spiritual, Summer 2012 | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 56 Comments

Maternal Love

Did
you
know?

~

Mother Nature

wraps

Her

Loving
Arms

 Around every
Small

Child

~

During

the

Formative
Years;

~

and

She
Breathes

Gently

~

 Into

the
Center

of

that
Child’s

~

Tender

Soul

~

Softly
Whispering:

~

It’s ok
Sweet

Baby

~

You Are

~~

 Exactly
Where
You
Belong.

~~~

© Robyn Lee

Posted by  |  August 19, 2012 | Categories: Children, Philosophy, Spiritual, Summer 2012 | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 82 Comments

Clarity

Ascend blue and white
Transcend illusion of strife
Where all reflects light

©Robyn Lee

 

Posted by  |  August 17, 2012 | Categories: Summer 2012 | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 75 Comments

Walk With Me

Let’s take a walk
Come hold my
Hand

We’ll stroll along
Warm grains of
Sand;

Our toes sink in
And melt so
Deep

Smooth tumbled stones
Caress our
Feet;

We’ll step into
The breaking
Waves

Ionic breeze
Ignites our
Day;

And then you’ll stop
To stroke my
Hair

I’ll find your eyes
And hold the
Stare;

You’ll offer me a
Pink sea
Shell

I’ll hear the
Echoed truths it
Tells;

And when we reach
Our resting
Space

I’ll beg to kiss
Your salty
Face.

©Robyn Lee

Posted by  |  August 14, 2012 | Categories: Romance, Summer 2012 | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 108 Comments