SOUL PORTRAIT
I pray our songlines be
those of care and love.
Showing warmth and tenderness
for all creatures along our path.
That we look intently at a tree,
all the way up to the crown .
Stand peaceful and listen to its flow
The flow from the roots, branches,
to the utmost top.
Listen to the stream further on,
its unselfconscious purity and play
as it skips, bounds and sings;
Sunglitter in its hair.
Gently walk there, as not to hurt,
all the tender growth and life underfoot.
Dip your feet in the stream,
share its elation, feel freedom swell.
You might wonder where does this stream go
as it dances its way? I tell you, it is painting its
Soulportrait
on its way to the river and the sea.
As can you and I as we flow,
through life’s varied events
over big boulders and smooth terrain.
Through light and dark.
May our soul portraits be filled
with wisdom and smiles.
Guiding songlines on the way to the sea.
© miriam ivarson
Love the line “May our soul portraits be filled with wisdom and smiles” ♥️ Nicely written!!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you Vihani for your lovely comment.
It came to me that we can create a portrait of ourselves that will be a light for others or a totally contrary one of course. 💕 .
miriam
LikeLike
A delightful poem, Miriam. It made me feel happy reading it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you so much Robbie and I am really delighted that the verses made you feel happy.
miriam
LikeLiked by 1 person
This is so beautifully rendered, a painting as well as a philosophy of gentleness and appreciation. I love “Sunglitter in its hair” and the title, “Soul Portrait.” Your reverence for nature is breathtaking, Miriam.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sharon, thank you deeply for your heart-warming comment.
Your words show me how close the poem touched you and that is a joy.
Yes, I do love nature and find it difficult to live without. 🤗
miriam
LikeLiked by 1 person
one way
or another,
may your prayer
come true, miriam 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you David.
If we trust and do our best I feel we stand a good chance. 🦋
miriam
LikeLike
Another very thought provoking poem Miriam. The image of our life and our soul being on a journey akin to the stream to the sea sums up the meaning of being perfectly.
How do you do it?
Mike
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you so much Mike for your lovely comment.
That you really felt so strongly that the meaning of being was summed up
I am so happy.
How I do it? I believe that no poet writes with the brain first. There is this whispering and then off you are. I do observe people and nature a lot and read.
How do you write a poem?
Miriam
LikeLike
I sang along with the flow of your words Miriam, even could dive into that river to feel the soul portrait, shimmering with hues of love for nature. Thank you for touching the right chords of my heart with this beauty woven with words.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Wow, Balroop, thank you so much for your beautiful words. I love
the image of you diving into the river and seeing its soul portrait.
Your last sentence has me tear eyed with gratitude.
Miriam
LikeLiked by 1 person
Lovely poem Miriam with your flowing river analogy as we paint our lives with the various dips, twists, bumps. May it be full of love, beauty, and allowing the flow.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Brad for your beautiful response. As I wrote I saw this analogy
so clear and am so glad that you and many have shared this feeling.
Let us go for it, creating a beautiful soul portrait.
miriam
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, let’s!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wow! Miriam, I’m tear-eyed reading your superlative poem! The title itself is inspired and as we initially wonder what you mean exactly you unravel your thoughts with tenderness and beauty. May our Soul Portraits be filled with equal warmth and love as your poem, becoming songlines in their own right.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Annika, I have just dried my happy tears after reading your very beautiful comment about my poem . There are times I also wonder what I mean to start with, so don’t worry. You got it right though.
Wouldn’t it be wonderful for us and our fellow man if we could find that harmony, peace and glitter within ourselves.
Thank you 🤗
Miriam
LikeLiked by 1 person
This is an awesome poem, Miriam and the wordings r true to a soul. Beautiful apt picture too.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Kamal, your comment is dear to me. We will one day leave many
pictures behind but how will we be known and remembered.
I have strong memories of people who passed away and their strong ” Soul portraits ” give me strength.
Miriam
LikeLike
Welcome dear Miriam and yes they sure do cause all our departed people are always there with us though they are not in bodies but as souls they r always there with you.
LikeLiked by 1 person
What a wonderful phrase; “Soul Portrait”. I suppose we all strive for something, perhaps not knowing what. Maybe a little introspection, and the soul portrait will emerge, ready to follow.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Peter, for your lovely comment. I am glad you like the title and
concept of Soul portrait.
I do agree that we have t look within us today find who we really are and dare
be.
Miriam
LikeLike
Beautiful, Miriam… Sharing! ❤ xo
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you dear Bette, how sweet to share. 😘
Miriam
LikeLiked by 1 person
Your last stanza says it all. Well done.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Ken, for your deeply thought comment. I so appreciate it.
miriam
LikeLiked by 1 person
What an enticing thought–a soul portrait. I hope mine’s not like the Picture of Dorian Gray!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I am sure it is not, sweet Jaqui. You will just have to find it as it is yours and nobody else’s. Thanks for your fun comment.
miriam
LikeLike
This is so beautiful. I am in the thick of the Ramayana, and your verse could have come from Sita’s lips. So lovely, Miriam. 🙏💕😘
LikeLike
Thank you Bela for your wonderful comment. Compared to verse from Sita’s
lips sounds great. I had of course to google it and the volumes of the poetry
is astounding. I bet it is beautiful.
🤗💕
miriam
LikeLike
This is beautiful Miriam. I like the idea of a soul portrait.
LikeLiked by 1 person
A warm thank you Kate, I am glad you liked it. I feel the painting of
one’s Soul portrait can take a long time but improve as we go. 🌻
Miriam
LikeLike
I’ve never really looked at a tree in that light, though water moulds and fascinates me endlessly, Miriam. This is beautiful writing. 🙂 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Jo, for your wonderful response. It really feels wonderful that
you felt this part of the poem too as I see it as a strong image of nature’s
flow. Yes ur kind praise made me smile and blush. 😊💕
Miriam
LikeLike
Such a beautiful poem – a meditation – reminding us to look and listen intently to the flow in nature’s gifts. And “Sunglitter”! I love that word!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you JoAnna for your kind comment. Sort of meditation … why not.
Maybe all this flow between us and nature is a meditation.
I must say that I smiled when the word ” Sunglitter” came to me. Had never heard it before. 💕🌼
Miriam
LikeLike
Love this (and not just because of the beautiful picture!) Sunglitter–fabulous! I love the meditative rhythm of this poem, and the imagery is beautiful as well. There’s nothing, in my mind, as grounding and comforting as listening to Nature. Well done, Miriam!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Julie, thank you for your encouraging and beautiful comment.
I do so appreciate how you taken all in. This poem came to me when
I needed it and ” Sunglitter ” became the icing on the whole.
Don’t think the dictionary has this word, but if not, it does now. 😊 .
Miriam
LikeLiked by 1 person
Beautiful poem! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you so much, Kevin. 😊
miriam
LikeLiked by 1 person
Beautiful. Loved the way you expressed
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you for your kind comment. Every time someone feels touched
I feel it is worth while writing. 😊 .
miriam
LikeLiked by 1 person
My pleasure Miriam.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Love the line ‘sun glitter in its hair’ …
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Jane for your lovely comment, glad you liked that positive line.
Also welcome to mywindow, it is a pleasure to have you.
Miriam
LikeLike