Poems from the Heart

I would not consider myself a writer by nature, but the older I get and the more life experience I gain, the more I seem to gravitate toward writing. It has been especially helpful to me in my eating disorder recovery. During the times when my heart feels heavy and my mind is swimming with words that are difficult to speak out loud, I write. Sometimes I want to share what I write with my husband or others, other times it is for my eyes only. Whatever form my writing takes, it has power. When we speak our words aloud, we may struggle to express them appropriately or others may find it difficult to receive them. Once the conversation is over, the words are gone. That is what I love about writing from my heart. It is even better than venting because, like a picture, it captures how I am feeling at a certain time. I can go back to it again and again when I need a reminder of how far I’ve come or encouragement to keep moving forward. As I soak the words in, I may gain a new perspective depending on how I am feeling that day.  I especially like poetry because I can write things that allow me to release my feelings like a bird taking flight. People can learn so much more from a poem than just, “She was hurting that day,” or “Running must bring her great joy.” Below are some poems I have written over the last couple years at various times. Running and faith are common themes for me.

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Enough

She is relentless with her goals

Yet they do not fill her soul

One more mile to fuel her power

Exhaustion in the darkest hours

She wants everyone to believe she is tough

She needs to accept she’s already enough

Fire and Light

The feel of the air on my face

Coaxing my legs to push the pace

Thoughts escape me in the zone

Always feels like coming home

Limbs keep churning

Lungs start burning

Call me crazy but the fire refines me

The joy and defeat make me light

A time when my world feels right

Fire and light

Grace

She tries to win the war within

Her thoughts consume her with an awful din

Each bite is a battle that leaves her rattled

Am I good enough? Fast enough?

One more race will prove I’m tough

Facing the truth is just too rough

Keep the pace, erase his face

Just do it and all will be well

Never mind what the others tell

They can’t feel your pain or sense the strain

Keep on smiling, fill that hole

Just stop and be still

He’s leading you to your goal

Strength

Her hands have held tiny fingers and wiped away tears

They have passed a baton and prayed through her fears

Her legs have hiked mountains and crossed peaceful streams

Run countless miles toward many goals and dreams

Her eyes have seen her children play, laugh and grow

She loves them more than they could know

Her heart holds more pain than she cares to show

But that same heart holds a joy that at times makes her glow

This body is more than meets the eye

Each day these words she tries to live by

She is strong. She will rise.

Strength will come when she looks to the sky.