Alone upon her path

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The fragile heart it shatters
Shards fly all around
The blood, the very life force
Seeps away without a sound

The smile it never falters
She will allow no one to see
The pain that she endures
Gut wrenching agony

Her love will never die
For it is of the purest form
Like a marionette she go on
She must, she must perform

Life now is unbearable
So empty, cold and bleak
At the thought of never hearing
His gentle voice again speak

She hears so many echoes
Her body tremors at his touch
Then from her dreams she wakes
As he fades away like dust

Pain can only be erased
By his tender embrace
To be held there in his arms
Together life’s challenges face

Yes, home is where the heart is
Though she knows not where that is
For he took her heart with him
And it will always be his

The shell of who she was
Walks alone upon the path
No one to even notice
That her world is cold and stark

She cares not for possessions
Nor for money or prestige
Material items unimportant
For she too has none to give

All she has ever wanted
Is the man who owns her heart
To be forever his special lady
For them never to be apart.

Trish Johnston ©7th May 2019

I know not what tomorrow brings

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I wonder how many will use this time of world pandemonium to reassess their lives, their values, their views. I know that is certainly has given me the opportunity to see things I may or may not wish to see, in some cases it has forced upon me vision of things happening around me that I hope I am never a party to.  In other cases, it has had me doing things that make my heart sing.  It shows me politicians asking us to put our trust in them (??) to lead us through these times of trouble. It shows me people behaving in the most abhorrent ways, it shows me people being so loving and kind, as everyday people face an extraordinary situation it certainly reveals a lot about their character, their ability to cope, their ability to stand strong in their own truth.

I have chosen, rather naively, to refrain from watching much mainstream media reporting.  I wonder at the value of the fear-mongering, the sensationalism that is plastered across our television screens minute by minute, hour by hour, day by day.  Here’s a thought… how about news reporters do just that! Report the news in a calm and factual manner without the overuse of dialogue that is used specifically to promote reaction. Providers of news have a very influential and responsible role in society as unfortunately there are those out there who believe everything they hear or see from these ‘trusted’ sources.

Do yourself a huge favour during this time.  Go outside, enjoy the warmth of the sun on your skin. Soak up the fresh air.  Listen to music, all kinds.  Read a book, write, draw, paint, sew – use this time as wisely and creatively as possible. You may surprise yourself with what you discover, about yourself, the world, your loved ones, and total strangers.

Are you a sheep? Don’t get me wrong, I love sheep, however, I do not choose to be one.  For me, and I have no doubt many others also, it is a time of deep contemplation and also a time of rejuvenation and growth.   A time to reassess, refocus and work towards becoming the very best that I can be at this moment in time – for I know not what tomorrow brings so it is important I am the best version of me at all times and in doing so I am at peace.

I wish you love, I wish you joy and peaceful journeys

Trish

World Gone Mad

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It’s become apparent recently
That the whole damn world’s gone mad
It’s seems they’ve lost the values
That our forefathers had

Since when has it been accepted
To be selfish and uncaring
Since when did we hoard essentials
Instead of freely sharing

In days gone by we cared for others
Gave freely when we were able
Showed kindness to those less fortunate
Inviting them to our table

We smiled at one another
As we passed in the street
Exchanged a friendly greeting
With all those we would meet

There was a feeling of community
Where everyone came together
In the good times and the bad
We looked out for one another

Now sadly it seems to be
That number one is most important
With little thought for others
Or their personal torment

Yes, the whole damn world’s gone crazy
And I pray with all my heart
That I too don’t become a victim
Before this world I depart.

Trish Johnston ©14 March 2020

Revelling in Life’s Colours

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I love to close my eyes
Allow my mind to drift away
To a place where life is wonderful
Where I’d love to stay

A hidden place where I see
A flowing canvas of my soul
Where the colours of my life
From an artist’s brush unfold

A stunning blazing sunset
Spreading out across the lake
Its warmth lingering long after
Like a spell that wouldn’t break

The emerald green of pastures
After the blessed rains
Or the dusty dirty taupe and brown
Depict another drought again

The pure white of a baby lamb
Suckling its mother’s teat
Before bouncing off to romp
On its four tiny feet

The silver of the morning frosts
Crunching beneath my feet
The crispness of the winter air
A stimulating treat

The azure blue of water
Or a beautiful clear sky
Or dappled clouds drifting
A gentle breeze passing by

The richness of the soil
Bold and beautiful I smell
With wide bold strokes
The artist captures it so well

Endless indigo night skies
A crescent moon aglow
Millions of sparkling stars
With me down here below

I love to close my eyes
And see the colours flow
Right into my heart
Where I forever hold them close.

Trish Johnston © 10 March 2020

Smiling on the inside

 

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Do you smile on the inside
Though you don’t show a sign
Is there a twinkle in your eyes
Near impossible to disguise

When something gives you pleasure
Do you hold it close inside
Savouring and protecting it
Within your heart and mind

Some have no real need
Nor any strong desire
To shout from the rooftops
What goes on in their life

Some absorb the pleasure
Into each and every cell
Reveling in the feeling
Though others can’t really tell

You may hear it in their laughter
In the lightness of their tread
In the radiance of their aura
Rather than in what is said

When you smile inside
so very few people see
There is so much more to you
Than they perceive to be.

Trish Johnston © 28 February 2020

Indigo Skies and Butterflies…

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As every night has it’s dawning
And every tide has its ebb
Our lives may sometimes be in mourning
Other times golden pathways ahead

As Mother Natures flower unfolds
To greet a whole new life
Hands offered we can hold
Walking forward strong and bright

Release the pain and suffering
Float it on the breeze
Take what life is offering
Leave the past behind you please

Rainbows reach across the sky
Offering a pure and radiant path
Its time to open up your eyes
Pursue the dreams within your heart

Angels guide you on your way
Beautiful butterflies by your side
They say it’s time to laugh and play
Come out from where you hide

With so many watching over you
You cannot go wrong
The time has come you’ve paid your dues
Lift your sweet voice in song

Rejoice in the wonderful music of life
Let the rhythm carry you high
On a magic carpet of pure delight
No longer your pleasure deny

As every day has its dusk
Every star its indigo sky
The time has come for you to trust
What is in your heart you can’t deny.

Trish Johnston 3rd February 2011

The Firefighter

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As the flames light up the skies
Smoke turning day to night
He wonders how much longer
He can keep up this fight

Sweat his hair has matted
Ash has dulled his skin
Though he is exhausted
He’ll not think of giving in

His body tired and aching
Every muscle sore
Eyes permanently bloodshot
Blistered hands and more

For weeks he’s fought this battle
With his mates there by his side
On the other side are strangers
Bonded now for life

He struggles with the knowledge
That his own home is under threat
While he fights to do his darndest
Another’s land to protect

He worries about his family
His loved ones and his friends
Those who’ve seen their livelihoods
Meet a hellish blazing end

He hears shouts around him
And he turns in time to see
The next wall of the inferno
Exploding through the trees

Fire breaks are unheaded
For this devil knows no bounds
Unprecedented power
Unearthly eerie sounds

Just in time the heavens open
Or so it may seem
As a plane drops its precious load
As water turns to steam

Exhaustion dogs him back to base
To go and get some rest
Another will take his place here
In turn, doing their best

He’ll be back out here tomorrow
Determined brave and strong
Yet fearful to discover
How much more is gone

Hi is not a lone hero
Like him, there are many more
These wonderful men and women
We are eternally grateful for.

Trish Johnston ©  2nd January 2020

Surrender is not a dirty word!

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Sometimes, in my healing I use the word ‘Surrender’. In doing so I am not asking that one gives up and accepts defeat, it is more that I am suggesting that if they let go of what they are clinging to they might just find that there is, in reality no battle. In this context to surrender is to stop creating and/or feeding the chaos in their life. Once they stop feeding it it becomes just another life experience, something else for them to learn from and take the lessons forward.

There are many reactions to this suggestion however, the one I most regularly observe is fear. Some become a little angry or uptight, offended even that I have suggested that they are holding on to that which brings them so much pain when all along that is exactly what they are doing. For many, they know nothing different than the life they are currently living, bound up in hurt and pain, with few moments of true happiness if any at all. So if they do surrender what will their lives be? Who will they be? They do not hold on because they want to but because they know nothing different and therefore are fearful of a life without the burden.

What is it that creates the burden, pain, the anger, the fear? It is in fact emotional reaction. When something happens in our lives that hurts us in any way we react to it, usually in fear or anger (which is really only an aspect of fear anyway). Our gut might tighten, our jaw and/or fists might clench, our heart beat quicken all in reaction to the pain. In doing so we embed this reaction in our cellular memory and until such times as it is dealt with it will reappear any time we experience a similar pain and the vicious circle continues and in some cases expands ever outward bring with it much emotional, mental and physical dis-ease.

Herein lies the need to surrender. To allow yourself to let go of the reaction to the situation. To this the most basic rule is to change your way of thinking, to restructure the though processes from the negative to the a more positive process. Instead becoming angry and frustrated at the person who it blaring their horn at you in traffic and reacting in a similar manner, simply change your thoughts from “Who does he think he is!?” to “I wonder what has gone wrong in his life that makes him so aggressive? Thank goodness I don’t have the need to carry that much anger.” Or just change a negative “Don’t be so stupid, what would you know” to “That is an interesting point of view. Thank you for sharing.” One does not have to react with anger or negativity to anger and negativity. The quickest way to calm yourself and others is to have no reaction at all. Ask yourself if this is truly important in the outcome of your day. Will it make a difference to your life in the long run? Chances are that much of the time it will not, though sometimes it will and therefore the question you should be asking yourself is “Is this truly benefiting me? Does it bring me peace and calm? Does it enrich my life in some way?”

There are times when we are guided by learned behaviour. By the writing on our walls, which I’ve written about before. Remember that not all that we have learned and we allow to dictate to us is really what is right for us. Society teaches us that we must respect our elders, we must love our family members, we must live conform. This, however, is not always the case. Not everyone deserves our respect, not everyone deserves our love and it truly does not matter whether they are older, or family or not. There are always exceptions to the rules of society and we are allowed to take a course of action which will enable us to feel secure and safe. Surrendering the rules that do not best serve you, allowing yourself the freedom to decide for yourself how you choose to think and how you choose to react is the greatest gift you can give yourself. It is your gateway to peace and calm and you do have the right to decide to soar and live the life that you so richly deserve.

Peaceful journeys

Indigo (aka Trish)

What do you see?

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I spoke of my hurt and still got hurt
and then I just stopped talking
I withdrew inside myself
and just kept on walking

for if those who listen do not hear
and neither do they care
what is the point of words
drifting, floating upon the air

Now my hurt is my own
I keep it deeply hidden
for no one wants to know
of darkness, pain, the forbidden

You will see the laughter
the kindness and the love
you’ll see what you want to see
or at least part thereof

Trish Johnston © 4th March 2019

Live Your Dream

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What is it that you dream of
Hidden there beneath the smile
Does it make you heart beat quicken
In a most becoming style

Does it leave you breathless
leaving you gasping for more
Is your yearning constant
Is your mind enthralled

Is this dream something tangible
can you feel it close by
or is it simply a vision
in your minds eye

Will it bring you happiness
Will it feed your inner being
Will it give you strength
Is it a sight unseen

Go forth and live your dreams
Find the strength within
To bring them to reality
Let your chosen life begin.

Trish Johnston © 25th February 2019