Can I Handle the Changes by Camilla Downs

Can I?

The changes.
Create fear,
they do.

We’re all getting older,
life is not as it was.

What is this strange
thing happening?

It is true things change,
nothing stays the same.

What is happening?

Can I handle the changes?

It’s all changing
I’m changing
they are changing
nothing is as it was.

There’s no stopping
the changes.

It’s the one thing
we can be sure will
arrive – changes.

Why do the changes
create such suffering?
Why do the changes
have to be experienced
in …..

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Poetry and Photography: Can I Handle The Changes

Lead the Way by Camilla Downs

Musk Thistle #1

“Lead the Way”

I know not what I am doing.

This requires more than
self-confidence could ever provide.

This beckons a confidence not of my self.

A confidence ruled by the force
that causes the musk thistle do what it does.
Sprout, grow, bloom, wither, blow
with the wind, and re-seed.

The force that holds the stars
in the sky and the same force
that grew two beings in my womb.

This beckons a …

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Poetry: Lead the Way

The Key of Alchemy by Camilla Downs

Sun Rays with Poem 2017

“The Key of Alchemy”

When ignored,
the darkness within
slowly erodes this physical body
When stuffed and buried deep within,
it silently grows stronger.

At some point along the path
and at many times,
the darkness surfaces.
Like a bullet train
or ever so slowly as a tortoise.
It will not be denied.

Keep turning our hearts away, we can.
Yet, the darkness will not depart
until it has space to be recognized.

The darkness, the shadows
only wish and pine for this space.
To be seen and accepted and felt
with compassion and deep love.

As the darkness is wrapped
in a loving embrace,
the transformation begins.

Acceptance, compassion and love,
serve to alchemize the darkness and shadows.
Transforming and melting the darkness
into the light.

The darkness may transform like a
freight train or may ever so slowly
transform as a tortoise.
Yet, it will transform when met
with love and compassion.

The irritation,
The anger,
The loneliness,
The despair,
The confusion.
Surface as they rub
the darkness within.
These feelings and emotions are the
key that allow an
opportunity to free oneself
from the suffering of denying
the darkness.

Freedom to live
consciously and authentically
is the gift this Key bears.

Oh, glory be,
the Key of Alchemy.
-2017, Camilla Downs, Lessons from Nature

Liberation by Camilla Downs

Cloud Dancing with Full Moon 2017

Liberation

She was tired.
Tired of trying to figure it out.

Tired of trying to make things work.
Tired of manipulating circumstances
to make things work.
Tired of trying to control situations to make things work.

Tired of living in confusion.
Tired of the suffering
created by way of her thoughts.

Tired of the chains that
bound her to the suffering.
Tired of dragging those
invisible chains through life.

Tired of not loving herself.
Tired of not being loved.
Tired of the responsibility of it all.

Tired of questioning her every decision.
Tired of hiding the Truth from herself.
Tired of running from her own self.

Tired of the darkness within.
Tired of the pull of the ego.

What she craved.
What she desperately needed.
Was … FREEDOM.

In desperation she dropped to her knees.
Crying out to the all knowing,

Take this tired body,
Take this tired mind,
Take this confusion,
Take this suffering,

She let it all go.
She released it to the divine.

She asked for liberation
from her self-induced suffering.

Liberate this soul.
Liberate this heart.

Allow this heart to open.
Allow this heart to
receive and know unconditional love.
Allow this mind to know Clarity.

Liberation to the graceful
place of Knowing Freedom.
Liberation to the Place
of letting go.

Letting Go
And saying Yes
to Life. -©2017 Camilla Downs, Lessons from Nature
(Written in May 2017)

Walk With Me by Camilla Downs

Thomas and Camilla July 2016 Date Day 8.4.16 #2

Come,
Walk with me.

Do you not see,
that you have
tethered your self
to illusions.
That create the
suffering you experience.

The illusion that you
are little,
that you must
compete and attack
to survive.

An illusion that comes
not from your soul.
Your soul knows the truth.

When you feel bliss,
when you feel time
stand still,
When you are truly joyful,
When you know that all is well,
When you look into
the eyes of another
and see the universe.
When you give and receive
love to yourself,
your brothers and sisters,
animals and Mother Earth.

These are when you have
let illusion fall away
and experience the
Truth of Grandeur.

Practice, you must,
at letting go
of confusion, overwhelm,
and fear for these are
not of the Truth.

For only when you
release the tethered
cord of illusion
will you be set free.

Come,
Walk with Me
And come home
to the Truth.
~2017 Camilla Downs, Lessons from Nature

Drift Into the Knowing by Camilla Downs

Footbridge and Clouds with Poem April 2017

Drift Into the Knowing

As I am in your presence
I feel the weight
Of this body drift
Into the clouds.
My soul melds with
All that we are,
And drifts into the knowing
Of all that is, ever was
And ever will be.
When I’m with you,
The illusion of time
And solidity are no more.
Oh. Glory be.
We are we. We are one.
We are an eternity of
One love.
-2016 Camilla Downs – Author, Lessons from Nature

A Sense of Wonder by Camilla Downs

Hot Pink Flower Rose 2016

“A sense of wonder
Within is awakened
As I admire your beauty.

Imparting your beauty
To you, and mine to me.

To live with wonder
To live with beauty
To live with knowing

This is our divine gift
To one another. -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

Revealing the Truth by Camilla Downs

Thomas and Camilla January 2017 Date Day Part 2 1.31.17 #4

“Like a gentle breeze
Moves through you,
You move through
The clouds of my soul,
Revealing the truth
Obscured by living
A life of illusion.
By the grace of You
I can see clearly now.” -2016 Camilla Downs – Author, Lessons from Nature

It Inspires Me

March 4 2017:

Melting Icicles The Vintage 2.22.17 #3

“It inspires me.” ~Lillian Darnell

Lillian asked this morning why I had not posted anything in an Arts facebook group lately. I explained that I have so much on my to do list. Also, that I felt my poems and nature photography were not inspiring and healing to those within the group.

She then suggested instagram. I explained that it did seem to be more meaningful to those who see them on instagram, yet it takes so long to post combining the photo, the poem and the tags.

She then said, “Your poems and photography inspire me.”

Thank you Lillian for reminding me that what I create is divinely inspired. The creations will touch who they are meant to touch when they are meant to touch. And, I do not need to hear that this has been so.