Salty Softness

 Popham Beach, Maine - April 20, 2021

Salty Softness

Spring winds gently swirl
as a lively ocean adjusts
to an incoming tide.
She walks slowly,
listens
both out and in.
        Reminiscing,
                     remembering,
                            realigning.
She has no real plan
other than to be there,
see what comes,
relax in moments
of in between.
She is drawn out
                        along a sand bar,
                                closer to the
                                                        breaking waves.
Soothing ocean rhythms
bring tender tears
and she speaks her heart
to those who are gone.
She hears empathy
as she articulates her truth,
currents of self-compassion
now part of her flow.
She looks to the horizon
sandwiched between briny waves
and velvety clouds.
She feels at once grounded and lofty,
 smiles at the salty softness
of allowing.

Sarah Carlson
April 22, 2021

Solace

 

Mt. Blue as seen from the Holley Road. This mountain can be seen from every town in our school district, which is why we are known as Mt. Blue RSD. It's a view that brings a warm smile when ever I return home or just happen to gaze its way.

 

Solace

One fierce event,
subliminal missives
over time,
a potent combination
of the two.
There’s no concrete memory,
but clearly my body recollects
some sort of smothering
that left a multi-strand,
            intricately wound,
                                tightly bound,
                    ball of hurt   
            deep within.
Ever so slowly,
bit by bit,
unwinding and release
have accompanied my healing.
Residual fury
sometimes kindles,
a valid part of the wound.
When I sit with the stillness
that comes after such a surge,
more deeply I feel my essence.
Like a distant mountain
whose familiar silhouette
brings solace in varied skies,
my inner world
more and more
a place of comfort
for me.

Sarah Carlson
April 16, 2021

Moments Such as This

The song of a cardinal on my morning walk helped this one come to the surface:

 Moments Such as This

I walk familiar circles,
though inner dialogue shifts.
One foot in front of the other
as onward I move.
I hear you,
but don’t take notice
at first.
Your gentle persistence penetrates.
Upward I gaze,
locate you
on a branch
underlit by the morning sun,
clear blue sky your canvas.
I thank you for moments such as this.
I don’t yet fully understand
and loneliness remains a constant,
though it wanes.
I will continue to listen
and look for these opportunities
to let go residual angst,  
tap my steady wisdom,
build trust in my
connection
to you.

Sarah Carlson
April 9, 2021