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
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
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
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
Sound Effects
“If you listen to certain photographs very carefully,
you will hear faint echoes of
laughter.”
~Robyn Lee
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
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
Ladder To The Sun
Follow me
Follow me
I found a ladder
To the sun;
One step at a time
That’s all it takes,
Join our caravan
Of fun.
~~~
We’ll travel above
Silk purple skies
Our chariots,
The clouds;
Our path of night
Lit up by stars,
Moon beaming
Full and proud.
~~~
We’ll sleep in beds of
Puffy white, while
Sun gods
Keep us
Warm;
They’ll protect us
From those gusty winds,
And shelter us from
Storms.
~~~
So follow me
It’s single-file
Climb upward
One by one;
For each step we take,
Each wish we make
Means our journey
Has begun.
~~~
©Robyn Lee
~~~
Click here if you would like to see
Robyn Lee’s Own Little Sun-Climbers 15 years ago
Sea Within
“Facing blue waves of uncertainty,
I place my hand on my heart
to honor the sea
in me.”
~~~
Robyn Lee
Please enjoy this excerpt
from Renee Robinson’s
wonderful poem entitled:
Rainbow Of Souls
~~~
The tide washing in
The tide washing out
The current a powerful force
Living in the rhythm of the sea
Alive and breathing
She welcomes me
Standing on a cliff
Way up high
The sea beneath me
Her mist salting my tongue
Her breeze exploring my hair
Imprints in the sand
Her breath, we share
I hear her voice
In the sea air
She calls my name
I hear her heartbeat
Crashing on the rocks
I see her there
I dive in her waters
Within the splashing
Aftershock
I love the sea
I was made for her
Or maybe
She was made for me
She is the past
The present
And the future
She is history
Mystery and
Eternity
The stories she tells
The treasures hidden
All part of her destiny
Alive and breathing
Living in the rhythm of the sea
~~~~
by, Renee Robinson
Warm thanks to Renee Robinson of Nae’s Nest | Dancing With Cancer & Other Writings for permission
to feature the 1st verse of her enchanting poem, Rainbow Of Souls, today with my featured image.
Much Love,
Robyn Lee
Free Spirit
Angelic child
Beckons me;
Soft sweet smiles
Aura: gold and free.
With reckless abandon
She skips through dirt piles;
Lips stained chocolate
Wispy wind-blown hairstyle.
Something pure
Yet something wise;
Her sun shines down hope
As she swings through the sky.
~~~
©Robyn Lee
My Crystal Ball
Gaze into
My
Crystal
Ball
Potential:
Limitless
No borders
Or walls.
Paths
Paved with
Gold
Translucent
Blue
Sky;
You
Needn’t
Hesitate, nor
Wonder
Why.
Winged creatures
Sing–
‘Welcome’
Invite you
To stay;
Emerald trees
Offer
Branches,
To guide your
Way.
So rub my
Crystal ball
And
Know,
The
Journey
Awaits us;
It’s time to go.
~~~
©Robyn Lee
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
Once Upon A Time
“…for with each dawn,
she found new hope that someday,
her dreams of happiness would come true.”
~
Cinderella
Walt Disney, 1950
I am most delighted to invite you to enjoy this wonderful poem by fellow blogger, Julie Catherine, entitled Sonnet Sequence: On Cinderella « . Julie and I agree that, together, the posts make a lovely collaboration of image and words.
You can also view Julie’s poem alongside my image here: Sonnet Sequence: On Cinderella, by~Julie Catherine
Thank you Julie, and Much Love to all!
~ Robyn Lee
THROUGH THE HEALING LENS 