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“You don't write because you want to say something, you write because you have something to say.” - F Scott Fitzgerald
As a child, I never used to like reading but over time I found my way to material that resonated with me and I realised I did love reading—just not what they were giving me at school.
As a teenager I read lots of fiction books that sparked my imagination. Things like Harry Potter, the Alex Ryder series, and The Kite Runner.
In my mid twenties as I awakened to a spiritual way of life, I discovered a profound love for poetry.
Rumi.
Hafiz.
Kabir.
Kahlil Gibran.
These were some of the great souls who sparked my passion for words in a new way.
I love that poetry gives us the freedom and the permission to express our emotions in a creative, playful and expansive way.
There are no rules about what is “right” and “wrong”.
During lockdown I began reflecting on all that was occurring in my emotional world at the time and I felt drawn to expressing it as poetry.
In April 2021 I published by first spiritual poetry book called Searching in Silence which explores topics like identity, trauma, love, purpose, and death.
I sent the draft to my soul brother and spiritual mentor, Parker Sherry, who sent a beautiful response back.
Unfortunately in October 2022 his journey on Earth came to an unexpected end and it plunged me into a state of grief. I shared some of his profound wisdom in an earlier newsletter I wrote called Bodhisattva.
Below is a new poem I wrote after reflecting on my journey with grief (this will probably be included in the next spiritual poetry book I’m drafting.)
I’d love to hear your thoughts on your relationship to poetry and grief.
Dear Mr. Grief,
You visit me because I am one of the lucky few who has tasted the magic of love
You taught me how much love I am capable of feeling
By taking away the body of the person I thought was real
You snatched him from me
But after a while I realised he wasn’t really gone
The love that blossomed through our friendship is alive
The wisdom he shared is alive
The memories we shared are alive
The stories I tell about him bring him to life
He smiles at me now as if to say
“You silly boy. You thought I abandoned you because I left my body?
I’ve always been with you
I left my body and started living in your heart.”
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One love ❤️
V