Category Archives: healing

“Caused to Stop and Think” 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

“Meltdown”– Reading 3 from “Frazzle”

I got back late tonight from a lovely, energizing outing. Stephen and I went to a Folkstage concert (Jan Krist, who was awesome) and then a birthday dinner for a friend. Still, I am committed to doing these short videos. I centered myself and drank some water. I allowed myself to dump the one flubbed reading and then uploaded the second one. (This process has to be easy if I’m going to go the distance.)

I want to say I am grateful to Amanda Palmer, artist, singer-songwriter, performer, best-selling author and so much more. I’ve learned a lot from her about letting go of the creations you make.

So here is “Meltdown,” the 3rd poem in the video series from Thrown Again into the Frazzle Machine. Perhaps this speaks for you as well. Seems like I wrote it for today, right? https://youtu.be/5YV70CP5ICI

Listen to more poems from “Frazzle”

THROWN AGAIN into the FRAZZLE MACHINE: Poems of Grace, Hope, and Healing

Reading “For Lisa D’E” from “Frazzle”

Today’s poem was harder to record than yesterday when I was in the flow of energy from my fresh inspiration. It was not the subject matter, but me. I definitely had “expectations.” A part of me wanted to do it right and that is a familiar trap. I was tempted to keep recording over and over, but that is not the point of this. These poems are me sitting with you at my kitchen table, reading aloud as I’ve been doing for 21 years. A natural human connection, two real people, me and you. And so I offer Poem #2 from Thrown Again into the Frazzle Machine: Poems of Grace, Hope, and Healing, for our ongoing conversation: https://youtu.be/jbTen3d-s_8

Listen to more poems from “Frazzle”

THROWN AGAIN into the FRAZZLE MACHINE: Poems of Grace, Hope, and Healing

A Lifeboat through Hard Times: Reading Poems from “Frazzle”

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

In Response to Recent Events

11/9/16

Election Results

Even after tonight—
the darkest star-cast night—
the sun will rise on a new morning.
What we do, each and every one
with what hand has been dealt
defines us, shapes what comes.

Even in this uncertain fog
do not succumb to despair.
We have been there before
when the worst happened
a life-threatening diagnosis
and yet…
time passed and here we are.

To be loving in the midst of this
I know it is impossible yet
I ask … and promise.

I wrote this poem out of a need to express strong feelings, one moment before reading a thoughtful Facebook post by Joyce DiDonato (opera singer, teacher, and healer). Her language was almost exactly the same as mine (synchronicity) and I commented about that, quoting the last three lines of this new poem. Through our loving intention (via the internet) we connected with many others. Here is the entire poem, perhaps it might speak to or for you. Please share if you think it could help someone. Thank you.

Sunset As the Road Home Darkens, Copyright 2016 by MDMikus

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