What do you remember about the choices you made and the chances you took to get where you are right now? Is this where you were headed when you set off?
Poem 17, “For John,” from Thrown Again into the Frazzle Machine: Poems of Grace, Hope, and Healing. Listen here: https://youtu.be/4eHOAzWp-fw
For more video poems from “Frazzle”
From the beginning of my poetic journal 21 years ago, I knew that the most powerful way to deliver my poems was to read them aloud. When I wrote the first one (quite a surprise to me!), it was clear I needed to record it when I gave it to the recipient. I wanted him to hear it the way I had when I wrote it. Over the years, if I wrote a poem for someone I would read it to them in person if possible. Almost 10 years ago I recorded my first CD, Full Blooming: Selections from a Poetic Journal. I chose poems (including 3 songs) from 10 years of writing to express the widest array of my life experiences, from the silly to healing to the darkest moments and all in between. My “full blooming.”
For 24 years I have taken voice lessons with Kip Snyder. I longed to sing with my full voice. As it turned out, that also included my writing voice. As I navigated life’s bumps and bruises, medical challenges, celebrations, and hard times, we kept on. It was not about singing like anyone else, but discovering my own unique voice and trusting in it. Letting go the harsh inner critical judge that held me back. In addition to singing, I also brought my poems to read aloud. For about 8 months now, starting at the beginning, I’ve been reading the poems from Thrown Again into the Frazzle Machine: Poems of Grace Hope, and Healing, 3 to 6 poems at a time. Perhaps I was staying connected to the messages in the verses. I don’t know, it just seemed like the right thing to do, getting ready for something…
Yet even with all this preparation I held back from being too public. The writing is so personal and maybe it felt too exposed. But now is the time for all of us to step up into our full healing power–and we are fabulous healers. These times call for a certain kind of courage and trust. What do you know you need to do, but maybe are fearful? Can you take a small step to bring us your gifts? We need you. All together we can co-create the world we want to live in.
With healing intention, here is poem 4 from Thrown Again into the Frazzle Machine: https://youtu.be/rQWhbosuSxE
Take good care. Thanks for listening.
Listen to more poems from “Frazzle”
THROWN AGAIN into the FRAZZLE MACHINE: Poems of Grace, Hope, and Healing
What can I do to help, to heal myself and all around me? For weeks I have been sitting with this and also knowing deep inside what I needed to do–though not all the details. (See Elizabeth Gilbert’s recent post). Yesterday, in an aha moment, it came to me. So… (deep breath)…I will be reading the poems from my book, “Thrown Again into the Frazzle Machine: Poems of Grace, Hope, and Healing,” one per day, starting at the beginning and posting a video. Twenty-one years ago, after healing from multiple sclerosis, I began a poetic journal. “Frazzle” has selected poems from 5 of those years, 2009-2014. My original understanding was that this book was a “lifeboat through hard times.” I still believe that. And I offer these poems with that intention. So… here we go. Poem 1, “Loving Detachment”: https://youtu.be/y2-uvYyofl8
Listen to more poems from “Frazzle”
THROWN AGAIN into the FRAZZLE MACHINE: Poems of Grace, Hope, and Healing
I Am Willing: An Aid to Writing for Personal Revelation
Big news! I will just blurt it out. I just released my latest project: a guided journal based on my poem. “I Am Willing” (from my book, As Easy as Breathing)! This has been in the works for years and I will post more of the stories later. For now, a huge thank you to Anne Schneider (from the International Women’s Writing Guild) who contacted me in April to ask about using the poem in a women’s writing group. Her request got me moving…again.
Here is the brand new link to I Am Willing: An Aid to Writing for Personal Revelation
BOOK DESCRIPTION:
I used my poems as writing prompts when I taught my Expanding Our Possibilities ™ workshop series. To continue supporting writing for healing and personal growth, I created this lovely guided journal based on my poem, “I Am Willing.” The poem has been shared by blogs all over the world. This volume is for you to write, expressing and exploring your dreams and challenges, your hopes and fears. Ideal to use on your own or in a group setting, it also makes a thoughtful gift for someone in the midst of life changes.
The complete poem, from my book, As Easy as Breathing, is included at the start with a brief introduction. A stanza of the poem tops each writing page with ample space for your reflections and revelations. Use this guide however seems right to you. You may begin with the first verse and sequentially work through the poem, or you might open to any line that speaks to you right then. In preparation you can sit quietly, deeply breathing for a few minutes, or read the lines aloud. To get your pen moving you could copy the lines at the top of the page or dive directly into your own writing. Be patient. Trust. Be kind to yourself. Poetry or prose, let the words flow, no concerns about spelling or punctuation. Right now this is for you. Later you can decide if you want to share any of these insights. There is no right way, only what you choose, what feels right in the moment. Write, draw, color, decorate with stickers if you like. Make this books your own. Now begin…
6in by 9in, 70 pages, lined for writing. Check out the cool back cover on Amazon.
This poem has traveled all over the world. More stories to come. Please share.
I am willing
to change what doesn’t work
for me in my life.
I am willing to listen
with an open heart,
without judging.
I am willing to plant seeds
that take a long time,
if ever, to grow.
I am willing to feel
and let go.
I am willing to make mistakes
and learn from them.
I am willing
to live in the present.
I am willing to forgive
and forget in my heart.
I am willing to love as much
as my endless spirit will allow.
I am willing to be seen
in all my radiance.
I am willing to be fearless.
I am willing to be powerful.
I am willing to be peaceful.
I am willing to stand tall
and walk gracefully.
I am willing to sing with my stunning, full voice.
I am willing to allow.
I am willing to let go.
I am willing to change.
I am willing to see
and be seen.
I am willing to hear
and be heard.
I am willing to feel
and be felt.
I am willing to heal
and be healed.
I am willing to love
and be loved.
I am willing
to be fully human.
Margaret Dubay Mikus
© 1996
I just early-released my new book, Thrown Again into the Frazzle Machine: Poems of Grace, Hope and Healing. I realized that many people – with a Kindle or the free Kindle app, for example – would not be able to access it at all until November. So at midnight, I let my heartfelt book fly out into the wide world! Thank you to those who did pre-order. I am most grateful! You should get access to the book sooner.
May these poems be a lifeboat, offering comfort, healing, inspiration, and hope. Although telling a personal story, aspects might express something you want to say or help someone you care about. I should tell you it has a happy ending as I came through what seemed like a long black tunnel, “the only way out, is through….”
Includes 11 interior color photos plus the cover.
Another poem from the book:
6/12/10
Shadow Healing
James Keelaghan at Folkstage
What part of me
is overflowing
What part is a
river dammed up
What part of me
longs for release
What part is tears
flowing unbidden
What part is unkind
or uncertain
I’m only saying
trying to decode a language
spoken in symptoms
trying to heal what
has arisen.
What part of me
is unbending
What part needs
immediate release
What is becalmed
stilled, expressionless
What is inflamed or angry
deserving to be heard
What is in shadow
unforgiven, denied
What part is unloved
buried deep, pushed aside
What is impatient, impotent
small, voiceless
worthy of healing
worthy of being part
of the perfect again-
welcome whole.
What part of me is
weakness unacknowledged
What part is unwilling to rest
and restlessness
What part of me is
tears un-shed and
fears hidden and
words bitten back
What have I walled off
what am I pregnant with
What desperate pleas
have gone unanswered
What part of me is
warring against another
What is revealed
comes up for air
what comes up
light shines upon it
what has light
has hope and promise
anything is possible
anything is possible to heal.
Don’t give up
anything is possible.
Margaret Dubay Mikus
© 2010