Hope & Healing Through Photography and Poetic Expression

Posts tagged “prose

Pain Shadow (on exhibit)

~

On the deserted beach
I walk with a pain shadow.
Hip searing with each step
I move forward slowly.

My joint tears away.
A sharp arrow pierces through me.
I stop to find stillness yet the
pain shadow follows.

Gazing into the ocean,
I inhale deeply
then exhale with force
trying to release the pain.

But it won’t let go.

I must abandon this pain shadow.
This constant companion.
This unwelcome thing.
That has attached itself to me.

19 years of unrelenting pain.
Countless attempts to escape
to normal days, when the beach
meant walks and waves; picnics and laughter.

I climb the wooden stairs to look down
on the wide expanse of shoreline.
In pain I stand tall above the sprawling
desolate beach that goes on forever.

I envision myself burying the pain shadow
beneath the sandy surface,
deep in a restrictive dark hole
where it can no longer define my world.

And in that moment I am free.

~

©Robyn Lee: March 2012

recently selected for exhibit in the gallery  Escape From Pain – PainExhibit.org

IMG_5465 2

I am honored to announce that the above artistic photograph and accompanying prose poem has been selected for gallery inclusion at PainExhibit.org | A California Non-Profit Art Exhibit.  PainExhibit.org is an educational, visual arts exhibit by artists with chronic pain . The global not-for- profit organization is dedicated to creating awareness amongst healthcare providers and the public about chronic pain through art, and to give voice to the many who suffer in silence. I learned about this organization after reading an article in the NY Times featuring the organization and its mission.  Here is a link to the article  Pain as an Art Form – NYTimes.com.  Immediately I felt aligned with the goals and intention of this organization, and was moved by the works shared at the exhibit.

My Pain Shadow  (above) was an early post that I published about a year ago.  It was the 2nd piece in my  blog’s Pain Shadow Series,  and the first poetic/prose piece I wrote that reflected my innermost feelings about living the past 19+ years with severe chronic pain and health challenge.  As someone who has always done her best to bring as little attention as possible to her dilemma, I confess, this was a difficult piece to share publicly.  At the same time, I now realize it was also a transformational experience for me;  By creating art,  and opening my heart to others about this isolating and life-altering plight , I quickly learned  how beauty and art can be born of pain…how this art can inspire compassion, and can heal both artist and viewer.

After some encouragement by a dear friend, I submitted my work last winter to PainExhibit.org.  I’d nearly forgotten about the submission, when several months later, I was notified that my entry was indeed accepted, and would be included in the collection of  art displayed at the gallery entitled: Escape From Pain.  Please visit PainExhibit.org to learn more about this unique exhibit, and explore a variety of amazing works in the various galleries housed there.  I am extremely proud and honored to be a part of this collection, and the organization’s important mission.

Pain, especially when chronic, is a very difficult subject to understand and embrace. Often pain cannot be seen, and it is nearly impossible to articulate. Quite frankly, it is an isolating and frightening place to be. Art, whether it be through written word, painting, sculpture, photography, music or other, offers a powerful vehicle for universal expression and transformation. Pain channeled through the creative process allows both the artist and the observer a meaningful and deep connection, one that speaks directly to the heart of  the human experience.

With my whole heart, I want to take this opportunity to thank all of you who follow and support me, and my blog work.  Over the last year, this sacred space has become such an important part of my life, and of my healing path.  Always know how much your friendship, love and support of my artistic endeavors means to me. Each of you have touched me, and enriched my world through your presence and appreciation, and for this I am so grateful.

Much Love ~
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