A Stunning Collection of Poems – Words of Alchemy

January 21 2021

Deep gratitude to Kim Rigby for this beautiful, heartfelt, review of Words of Alchemy. Thank you for seeing me, Kim! xoxo

“Words of Alchemy is a stunning collection of poems that appears to have been sourced directly from the soul, from that higher self that is only accessed when we are at one with ourselves.

We are guided through sections on nature, healing, parenting, gratitude and more, allowing us a deeply personal glimpse into the author’s perspective on life. Her words resonate with kindness, compassion for others and the self, and how nature can speak to us, calming the soul and renewing the mind. It’s a timely reminder when so much of the world has been locked down.

What is alchemy after all, but to see with new eyes, to appreciate a magical change in the everyday? The author gives us permission to stop and do exactly that.” – Kim Rigby

Go here to learn more about the book …

Words of Alchemy

Words of Alchemy – The Kindle Version with a Strong Urge for Apostrophes and Dashes

October 23 2019:

Incredibly excited! Just received the Kindle version from the book designer for proofing!! Stay up late proofing or get to bed now so I can get up early and proof?? What a joy to be to this point now. Thank you to everyone for the support, love, and encouragement!

October 24 2019:

Deep into proofing the Kindle version of the book. During this entire process from the beginning stages of putting the manuscript together up to now; I sometimes feel a strong urge that a writing wants to be shared (right now!). That just happened with this one. Written in June 2018.

Knowing of the Heart

We have come together upon this Earth
to travel our own separate paths
Yet, traveling them together.

It has not escaped my attention
that there were and are places
and events we talked and
dreamed of experiencing.

Our lives together seem to
have become mundane and boring.

Seeming to have the same days
over and over again.
With little new experiences
by way of sights, sounds,
and adventures.

Sadness and failure encroached
upon these shoulders and heart
As the message was received
of how important it is to
travel with one’s family.

Travel so as to have one to one
time together … away from the
normalcy of being in the
same place and routines.

Yet, before the cloud could
fully envelop this heart,
the heart whispered to
the sadness a response
so profound and enlightening
the sadness and failure
did halt and lift to be
transmuted to peace and knowing.

The heart whispered …
Wait.

Each walk taken,
Each drive around
neighborhoods,
Each date day,
Each spontaneous trip
for simple life’s
necessities,
Each trip to the park,
Each drive to a lookout
to watch the sunset or
have a car picnic,
Each occasion you chose
to make special …
Each of those times was
a trip to a beautiful
and everlasting destination.

You and your children
have taken many trips.
They may not be the
actual destinations the
three of you envisioned.

No. They are not.

Yet, each of these trips
led to destinations
that many may never get
a chance to experience.

The trip. The destination.
Within you it is.
Take it with you
always, you do.
This is the alchemy
of the heart.

Glory be.
Take notice of
your profound ability
to make something
out of seemingly nothing.

Know this.
And be free.
Hallelujah!

June 2018

Dedicated to my children … Thomas and Lillian

There’s nothing better than a walk with my loves. I cherish every walk taken with each one of them. Every walk …. Since they were wee tiny ones growing within me. As of the writing of the previous poem, Lillian and I have taken walks together for nearly 17 years; and Thomas and me for nearly 13 years. Love, sweet love.
(Picture of us July 2018 – midnight at the Vegas airport, returning from the C18 Conference in Baltimore)

October 26 2019:

Apostrophes and dashes, oh my!! I’m surprised I didn’t dream about apostrophes and dashes haunting me! On the last round of proofreading and then back to the book designer. Nothing major to correct … Except … Many apostrophe slip ups and a few grammar errors! (The dandelion seed will be smaller in the final version. The designer missed that in my original instructions.)

Book Musings: book of nature poetry

book of nature poetry

Wonderful book full of vibrant and beautiful photography paired with classic and new poetry.

Nature is What We See

“Nature is what we see –
The Hill – the Afternoon-
Squirrel-Eclipse-the Bumble bee-
Nay-Nature is Heaven-
Nature is what we hear-
The Bobolink-the Sea-
Thunder-The Cricket-
Nay-Nature is Harmony-
Nature is what we know-
Yet have no art to say-
So impotent Our Wisdom is
To her Simplicity. ~Emily Dickinson

Afternoon on a Hill

I will be the gladdest thing
Under the sun!
I will touch a hundred flowers
And not pick one.

I will look at cliffs and clouds
With quiet eyes,
Watch the wind bow down the grass,
And the grass rise.

And when lights begin to show
Up from the town,
I will mark which must be mine,
And then start down!
~Edna St. Vincent Millay

We LOVED this one!

Nature Poem by Lillian Darnell

New poem from Lillian in celebration of World Poetry Day

Flowers shine bright
through the gloomy winter
Into the glorious spring weather.

Flowers flow like a sparkling river
Through the snow and rain
As a welcoming robin ready to mate.

Flowers dance gracefully in the windy day
Of gloom and sunshine
Flowers thankfully drink water
from it’s thirsty roots.
©️2019 Lillian Darnell
(Photo by Camilla Downs – 2018)

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love-cards-in-a-basket-october-2016

Notice Nature by Camilla Downs

Thomas Walking Bartley Ranch Summer 2016“Notice”

Notice nature.
Feel and smell the air.
Study the clouds and the trees.
Listen to the birds.
How many different kinds of songs can you hear?
What kinds of birds are they?
Injoy a sunset.
Notice and smell freshly bloomed flowers.
Notice and study new buds on a tree.
Notice the smell of newly fallen leaves.
Study the moon, stars, and clouds.
Walk barefoot in the grass, dirt, or sand.
Watch the waves in the ocean,
Or the ripples in a lake,
Or the rushing water of a river.
Notice the glimmer of freshen fallen snow.
Watch the sunlight dance and sparkle on the water.
Study all types of trees.
Get up close. Touch them.
Go for a walk for no reason other than to commune with nature.”

-2016 Camilla Downs – Author, Lessons from Nature

 

A Lost Art to We by Camilla Downs

March 11 2017:

Pink Fuzzy Tree Bloom 2017

“The one supporting the many,
The many supporting the one,
This interdependent relationship you share
A lost art to we.

It’s clear to see,
The disconnect coming forth,
When the wild is taken from you,
Mirrored in the forests
Of the society of we.

Oh Mother, what a sweet
And beautiful teacher you Be.”

~2016 Camilla Downs – Author, Lessons from Nature

You Know Me So Well by Camilla Downs

IMG_3565

“You know me so well,
Mirroring life as it is lived.

Sometimes up,
Sometimes down.

And sometimes the journey
is smooth and level.

Oh, beautiful Mother Earth
We make a great team.

Mirroring for one another
Verily, verily, me make a great ONE.” ~2016 Camilla Downs – Author, Lessons from Nature

The Harmony of Nature by Camilla Downs

Pink and Purple Flowers Damonte Ranch Summer 2016

“The world slows
Time nearly stops
And I see.
I see your differences
I see the contrast.
I see what you impart.
You shine light
Upon the harmony of nature
So that I may see the
Oneness of nature and
The oneness of humanity
I am held in your loving
Embrace to have the all of all
Poured into my open heart.
And I say, yes, I see and
I will share and shine the light.” -2016 Camilla Downs – Author, Lessons from Nature

Eternally at Peace

November 11 2016:

“Trunks and branches growing in opposite directions,
all with different views. Yet, you are eternally at peace.
Oh tree. You inspire me.” ~Camilla Downs – Author

You may say I’m a dreamer, but I’m not the only one …. With each day my heart fills with more and more and more love and peace …. Yet, the love and peace is to be uncovered within before it is discovered without … xoxoxo

tree-at-the-alamo-july-2016