LadyDen’s Poetry Cafe

[[La...]]

BBs HUGS to everyone that visit this post. And WELCOME! All throughout my life, I’ve read and written poems that have made an impact on my life. Most of them I still reap the benefits to this very day. I use to host poetry cafes with a friend awhile ago. Those nights were serene, edifying, relaxing, comforting, stress reducing, etc etc. it crossed my mind to start another one here.

In this cafe, I’ll be posting poems that I’ve written or written by others that may help us through our benzo WD days. In this cafe after reading a poem please highlight the part of the poem that stuck with you along with a BRIEF explanation of why ( if you’d like) and leave a virtual “ SNAP”. You’re also welcome to post a poem but I ask that it be POSITIVE, non-violent or anything that may be overstimulating.

Also please do not use this thread to carry on personal conversations. For example, if someone posts a part of a poem they like then someone else post replying that they like what was said. Please don’t. I’d like to keep the flow of this cafe without people having to skip through so many personal posts to get to what they’re here for.

So grab your cup of decaf  leave your symptoms at the door and let this be your place of serenity. Happy Healing!

I’ll start it off with this short poem…

            “  NOW  “

Right now I can make a choice

To lay here and cry or let this be the moment I take control

Right now I have just enough strength

To seize this moment as my cue to fight for my sanity

Right now I can take this fear by the horns

To use it by steering myself a path to renewed bravery

Right now I have a little willpower within

To not participate in this current madness but just observe it

Right now I can see a light of victory

To brighten these dark steps I must take to heal

Right now I have the courage

To bandage these wounds left by this benzo battle that I will win

Right now I still can live….

I feel my breath…

That’s all I need…

Yes I’m still alive to live in my right now

Right now

WRITTEN by LadyDen ( just now) 

 

[[Pa...]]

Right now I have a little willpower within

To not participate in this current madness but just observe it

 

I particularly like this passage LadyDen and thanks by the way for starting this thread.  It speaks to me because there are times I get spun up about things that aren't in my control, a terrible waste of emotion and personal resources so I think I'll remember what you wrote and just not participate. 

[[be...]]

I like this passage, because it shows strength during a very hard time, and that acceptance is so important.

 

To seize this moment as my cue to fight for my sanity

Right now I can take this fear by the horns

To use it by steering myself a path to renewed bravery

Right now I have a little willpower within

To not participate in this current madness but just observe it

Right now I can see a light of victory

 

 

[[La...]]

              Determined

I’m determined I’ve got a made up mind

I can’t sit around wasting my time

I’m going to keep my eyes on my goal

I can’t afford to buckle or fold

 

I’m determined I’ve got healing on my mind

I can’t use every excuse that I find

I’m going to keep my head held up high

I can’t afford to stop too long questioning why

 

I’m determined I’ve got a new life on my mind

I can’t leave my dreams of adventures behind

I’m going to fight with my banner in the wind

I can’t afford to not be my own best friend

I’m determined!!!!!

Written by LadyDen

 

 

[[sa...]]

Right now I still can live….

I feel my breath…

That’s all I need…

Yes I’m still alive to live in my right now

 

I like this.  This is what I tell people who are in the depths of benzo hell and are convinced they will not make it out.  Just keep breath, and someday you won't have to remind yourself to do it. 

[[Co...]]

Right now I still can live….

I feel my breath…

That’s all I need…

Yes I’m still alive to live in my right now

 

I like this.  This is what I tell people who are in the depths of benzo hell and are convinced they will not make it out.  Just keep breath, and someday you won't have to remind yourself to do it.

 

 

So true!

[[Be...]]

Following.

[[La...]]

            Brand New Me

This recovery is a journey not back to who I was before

A simple normal interesting me but not anything more

 

It’s like walking in a dark forrest without having a light

But I must keep on pressing on with all my might

 

When it’s branches snag my mind with a grip of fear

I must rely on myself for no one else is here

 

Thorns and thistles may scratch as I continue on ahead

My strength is the motivation by which I am led

 

It’s many sharp twists and turns seems to never end

But that’s ok for I know perseverance is my friend

 

Her darkness seeking to engulf me in a state of despair

Reaching deep inside I found some hope there

 

Thickened grass of fatigue seeming to never cease

Yet courage will allow me to make it out in one piece

 

Finally I will reach her clearing where every step is light

Where pride will shine brightly with all of its might

 

Because this forest of recovery tried to break down my sanity

It will only render me stronger and certainly a brand new me

 

Written by LadyDen

 

[[sa...]]

Thickened grass of fatigue seeming to never cease

Yet courage will allow me to make it out in one piece

 

The fatigue is so scary and discouraging.  I have to pray for courage every day to keep believing I'll make it out. 

[[Be...]]

I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud (1807)

 

By William Wordsworth

 

I wandered lonely as a cloud

That floats on high o’er vales and hills,

When all at once I saw a crowd,

A host of golden daffodils

Beside the lake, beneath the trees

Fluttering and dancing in the breeze.

 

Continuous as the stars that shine

And twinkle on the milky way

They stretched in never-ending line

Along the margin of the bay;

Ten thousand saw I at a glance,

Tossing their heads in sprightly dance.

 

The waves beside them danced, but they

Outdid the sparkling waves in glee;

A poet could not but be gay,

In such a jocund company;

I gazed--and gazed--but little thought

What wealth the show to me had brought:

 

For oft when on my couch I lie

In vacant or in pensive mood,

The flash upon that inward eye

Which is the bliss of solitude;

And then my heart with pleasure fills,

And dances with the daffodils.

 

[[Be...]]

Vestigia

(A foot-step or track)

 

By Bliss Carman

 

I took a day to search for God,

And found him not.  But as I trod

By rocky ledge, through woods untamed,

Just where one scarlet lily flamed,

I saw His footprint in the sod.

 

Then suddenly all unaware,

Far off in the deep shadows, where

A solitary hermit thrush

Sang through the holy twilight hush--

I heard His voice upon the air.

 

And even as I marveled how

God gives us Heaven here and now,

In a stir of wind that hardly shook

The poplar leaves beside the brook--

His hand was light upon my brow.

 

At last with evening as I turned

Homeward, and thought what I had learned

And all there was still to probe--

I caught the glory of His robe

Where the last fires of sunset burned.

 

Back to the world with quickening start

I looked and longed for any part

In making saving Beauty be--

And from that kindling ecstasy

I knew God dwelt within my heart.

 

 

 

[[La...]]

And even as I marveled how

God gives us Heaven here and now

 

I love this! Because he is here right now ( omnipresent) then we are never alone. This recovery makes us feel so alone even in a crowded room. It’s a comfort knowing I’m not alone even when no physical bodies are around. Sometimes we forget that. 

Thank you Becks for sharing this poem.

[[sa...]]

The Peace of Wild things by Wendell Berry

 

When despair for the world grows in me

and I wake in the night at the least sound

in fear of what my life and my children’s lives may be,

I go and lie down where the wood drake

rests in his beauty on the water, and the great heron feeds.

 

I come into the peace of wild things

who do not tax their lives with forethought

of grief. I come into the presence of still water.

And I feel above me the day-blind stars

waiting with their light. For a time

I rest in the grace of the world, and am free.

[[be...]]

I like this Poem, strength,perseverance and hope prevail during the darkest of times....

 

"Thorns and thistles may scratch as I continue on ahead

My strength is the motivation by which I am led

 

It’s many sharp twists and turns seems to never end

But that’s ok for I know perseverance is my friend

 

Her darkness seeking to engulf me in a state of despair

Reaching deep inside I found some hope there"

[[La...]]

And I feel above me the day blind stars waiting with their light

I rest in the grace of the world and I am free

 

How beautiful this is Sage! Many times I want to go look at the stars at night but can’t. So I imagine them as I’m falling asleep. It makes me feel such free peace. I know I’ll see the real stars soon because their light is waiting for me to enjoy. Gives me motivation. Thanks for sharing.

[[be...]]

"A Voice Behind"

 

By Pearlyn

 

Published: September 2015

 

When into sorrow, my poor soul sinks

When a sound of despair in my heart rings

I'm strongly pushed to do my best

By a voice that says, "There is still hope you dare not rest."

 

When chains of sorrow surround me well

When in my self, I feel like hell

I'm forced to face life with its tests

By a voice that says,"There is still hope you dare not rest."

 

When I just feel like crying aloud

When all my worries rise like a cloud

I'm guarded safe like a bird in its nest

By a voice that says,"There is still hope you dare not rest."

 

From all my fears, I now am free

I'm good and strong, I could clearly see,

But can anyone say, is it from east or west

That I hear the voice, "There is still hope you dare not rest."

 

With hope and courage, I just am full

Because of the voice, that gave me a very strong pull

It's my loving God, the unseen guest

Who says,"There is still hope you dare not rest."

[[La...]]

This poem made me cry with love in my heart for our Heavenly Father that is the voice! Outstandingly beautiful Begood. Thank you for sharing.

 

It’s my loving God the unseen guest

Who says “ there is still hope you dare not rest”

 

This rings so true for me. He is the hope, the rest, the voice, the love and everything. When it seems like all hope is lost, he makes sure he shows up in some form or person. It happens for me every time. That’s him becoming the seen! This poem reminds me of a song written by a friend of mine.

Smokie Norful “ I understand “    Warning: you will need a box of Kleenex when you listen to it 

[[sa...]]

It's my loving God, the unseen guest

Who says,"There is still hope you dare not rest."

 

Love this!  Boy did I need to hear this today.  Such a bad day. 

[[La...]]

              Not the Time

 

This is not the time for giving up

Stopping so abrupt

This is not the time to throw in the towel

Giving in for awhile

This is not the time to question your faith

Leaving it to waste

This is not the time to welcome doubt

Mentally casting it about

This is not the time to lie in defeat

Owning you’ve been beat

This is not the time to embrace the woes

Claiming them as foes

This is not the time for stress to win

Magnifying itself within

This is not the time to believe you’ll never be free

Declaring this as your destiny

This is not the time to speak that which is unreal

Thoughts of never being healed

Yes sir! Yes ma’am! You certainly will! 

 

Written by Lady Den

[[La...]]

            HOPE

When pain is cracking

Up through pavement

And smoke of sorrow

Fill the air.

 

When skies cast

Stare of uncertainty

And the winds of change

Blow through your hair.

 

Tomorrow brings a brighter day

A day to start anew.

The sun WILL rise agin

To shine its light on you.

 

[[Co...]]

            Brand New Me

This recovery is a journey not back to who I was before

A simple normal interesting me but not anything more

 

It’s like walking in a dark forrest without having a light

But I must keep on pressing on with all my might

 

When it’s branches snag my mind with a grip of fear

I must rely on myself for no one else is here

 

Thorns and thistles may scratch as I continue on ahead

My strength is the motivation by which I am led

 

It’s many sharp twists and turns seems to never end

But that’s ok for I know perseverance is my friend

 

Her darkness seeking to engulf me in a state of despair

Reaching deep inside I found some hope there

 

Thickened grass of fatigue seeming to never cease

Yet courage will allow me to make it out in one piece

 

Finally I will reach her clearing where every step is light

Where pride will shine brightly with all of its might

 

Because this forest of recovery tried to break down my sanity

It will only render me stronger and certainly a brand new me

 

Written by LadyDen

 

 

Beautiful LadyDen

Inspiring

Love

Hugs

Be Well

It is inside ourselves we find the wisdom and courage to be with the such hard things we go through dear Lady

[[La...]]

                ENDURANCE

Each day I’m taking the reigns to not go down in flames

Never will I let continuous doubt relentlessly in my head shout

Driven by a better day that comes right after much dismay

Understanding this is just a path where I will bask in the aftermath

Rejoining my normality even though it comes ever so slowly

Accepting pains as something good is not so easily understood

Nurturing myself in desperate need to allow the process to proceed

Counting the days until I’m healed and what values they’ll reveal

Expectation of the ultimate goal where everyday is lived completely whole

 

By Lady Den

[[sa...]]

"Accepting pains as something good is not so easily understood"  So true!

 

One of my own poems:

 

Spirit Heart

 

Flesh heart pulled by invisible strings

Attached to a spirit heart unseen.

Invisible, enfolding arms

Father the longing child.

 

 

[[La...]]

“ invisible enfolding arms father the longing child”

That line reminds me of how the Heavenly Father has me in his arms as I’m longing for healing. So comforting. Thank you for that lovely poem. Please share more.

[[sa...]]

“ invisible enfolding arms father the longing child”

That line reminds me of how the Heavenly Father has me in his arms as I’m longing for healing. So comforting. Thank you for that lovely poem. Please share more.

 

Yes, that was about my connection to the Heavenly Father.  I had forgotten I had written that poem until I went back to my Wordpress blog and looked at my poetry page.