Tranquil Moments

Although I love to write, I have never written poetry. To be honest, I don't even read much poetry. Life gets so busy and taking the time to linger over a page of reflective words seems extravagant. The occasions when I have taken a moment to peruse poetry, I was left with a feeling of calm and appreciation. Here's what the blog Family Friend Poems says about poetry:

"Life is a lot of work. What is it that gives us the strength to continue when we are tired and burned out? Sometimes an inspirational idea can help renew ourselves and be filled with strength to fulfill our life's purpose." 

So much inspiration can come from simple moments and words, as I discovered when I visited poet, Sharla Lee Shults's blog, and came across this tranquil pictorial essay. Sharla was kind enough to let me share it here. Give yourself a gift, take a deep breath, clear your mind, and enjoy.

Sharla Lee Shults

[At the end of this posting is a slide show you do not want to miss!]

Picture this. . .

With the unrelenting rain still in our midst, thoughts today shift to moments of tranquility. While the rain can definitely be soothing within melodic tunes, its rhythm can be somewhat unsettling as echoes of thunder break the silence and flashes of lightning zigzag across an already bleak sky. Let's close our eyes and let our minds become absorbed in a much lesser stressful atmosphere.


A soft haze engulfs the scene as early morning fog slowly begins to lift. Everything in sight begins to shimmer with the earliest rays of sunlight casting reflections in droplets of dew. You are alone. With coffee cup in hand, you gaze out the window as eyes shift across the lake and begin to pan the horizon. Thoughts drift to the day before and events that now set the stage for all the tomorrows to come. What a great morning for a walk along the rocky shore of the lake! Coffee will have to wait.

Cathy Marshall Two Sun Morning

In the distance, you spy the old dock built by your grandfather when he was a young man, stout and strong. The visions of fishing with cane poles, laughing at his worn-out jokes, and hopes of catching ol' granddaddy catfish bring on a soft laugh and a smile. You walk on. You stop at the dock peering down the long stretch of planks as it juts outward as if reaching for the other side of the lake but never making it. You pause. 

Old Hickory Lake, Tennessee, USA

As you stroll the dock, sunbeams engulf your whole being like a warm cloak being draped across your shoulders. You peer down at the water just in time to see tiny tadpoles dancing in the morning light. A splash a few yards away gets your attention knowing it is that ol' granddaddy catfish teasing and tempting you to drop a freshly baited hook in the water. He will just have to be content on playing about in the water and enjoying one more day in the lake for on this day you do not have your fishing pole. His lucky day.

Ol' Granddaddy Catfish

The panoramic view from the end of the dock is green with envy as the tree-line shore masks long forgotten cabins in the background. They had been abandoned many years earlier for the owner had died leaving no one as heir. Broken windows and battered boards shield only the ghosts that linger in the shadowy stillness of both the daylight and the darkness. You wonder about the stories that could be told if any of those old cabins could talk. But, perhaps, it is a good thing the remaining walls could not speak for you have far too many secrets whose stories best not be aired.

Taking off your shoes, you lay them aside and take a seat on the end of the dock. Dangling your legs over the edge, your toes begin to swish back and forth across the top of the cool water disturbing the stillness of the lake with ripple after ripple. In the next few moments, you are completely surrounded by only the scenes of tranquility.

"Tranquil moments are treasured moments: moments where time seems to stand still, thoughts drift away to a magical place and worry becomes a thing of the past." ~catnipoflife

Don't think, just click below:

http://www.slideshare.net/francesca80/tranquil-scenes?ref=http://catnipoflife.wordpress.com/?s=tranquility&submit=Go

Sharla Lee Shults is a retired math teacher, wife, mother and author of two books of poetry: Remembering & Echoes. Her third book, Awakening, is expected to be released in early September. Here's what Sharla says about poetry:

 "Poetry is a way of transcending the boundaries of conscious thought. It's spiritual realms are echoes from the heart inspired by life and God's love that whisper of yesterday. The poetic verses of my books epitomize expressions of inspiration generated from random thoughts, comments from others, images portrayed, or creative reflections of feelings to warm the heart and lift the spirit."  

KICK BACK BOOK OF THE WEEK:

Do yourself a favor and order Remembering by Sharla Lee Shults. It's filled with moving poetry that will help you to relax, ponder, reminisce, smile, and encourage. 

To Order Click Here:  http://www.amazon.com/Remembering-Hand-Yours-Your-Mine/dp/1441589317/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1345993023&sr=8-1&keywords=Sharla+Lee+Shults

Kick Back song of the week has been replaced by the slide show above.

A LITTLE SOMETHING EXTRA:

A poem from Remembering  by Sharla Lee Shults:

My Hand in Yours, Your Hand in Mine 

As a tiny infant

I was too young to know

My hand in yours

Made the love grow.

As a young child 

I sometimes resisted

My hand in yours

Holding it only because you persisted.

As a teen

I always rejected

My hand in yours

Thinking it only a childlike gesture.

As a young adult

I reached out

For your hand in mine

Wanting you to erase all doubt.

Now as an older adult

I cherish each moment tendered

Of your hand in mine

Wishing it would never be surrendered.