Wonder

Where do you find wonder?   For my last prompt, over at Poets United, I asked the poets to think about the Seven Wonders of the World, but share their own eighth wonder.  Is it a favorite place you escape to, a memory, seeing people being kind, what is the magic that you see?  

 I started reading the book, The Silver Linings Playbook.  I haven't seen the movie, yet. Have you?   Recently,  I was  making art for a challenge.   It was emotional for me, I had to write a cover letter about what I had created.  I tried to share that even though I have been in pain, I was still able to see the silver lining, in my life.  The threads of goodness, in my journey.   I think the best gift we can give is to be kind and encouraging.  YOU all do this for me and I hope I give this gift to you!

My eighth wonder is Hope.... 

I remember the day I was told I had a disease and would probably be on meds for the rest of my life.  I felt tortured and profoundly sad.   My mom knew I needed time alone and took my son to the sea.  I grew up, within walking distance to the rocky shore.  It is one of my favorite places.  When they returned,  I had found a bit of peace.  I knew I would find a way to cope, I was filled with hope.   

My son grabbed my hand, "Mom, mom come see what we found for you!"  He was so excited, his big grin and that one dimple warmed my heart.  There on the kitchen table on a linen cloth was a heart, but not an ordinary heart.  A heart gathered to remind me of my favorite spot, the home in my heart.  I cried when I saw it... I knew my mom and son  wanted to remind me no matter what,  I was loved and there was always hope.   "Don't be sad Mom, it is a heart for you to always remember the sea and not to be sad, anymore."  

 My beautiful boy...I smiled and told him I am happy, "these are happy tears."

Recently I was asked to contribute to a sewing challenge.   Many ideas came to mind, but this was my first thought. I should share the allure n' magic of the sea.   I took denim and cut out and stitched a heart. I used metallic paint, white and silver and then added some purple fabric paint.  When the paint dried,  I knew I needed to add something that would reflect the sheen and shine of treasures found on the shore.  We all have our own shore of life and our own treasures.  I used some crafter's glue and mica to add a bit of magic.  

HOPE

Black tide blocks out sapphire's facets

it casts a net of gray

darkness pours through me

shadows blocking the light

Would I see the silver days of spring and the golden

whispers of autumn in my life?

Would I see my children grow up

Would they know me?

Remember me...

I cast out another net

daily sand covered treasures

 with glints of mica soon surfaced

 I saw reflections in my treasured blue, 

the milky haze

vanished

the skeletal view left me

bones of despair no longer whispered

a new tide washed over me

with curious waves and cleansing salty air

I saw the silver in the day

as the sand shifted and the tide

continued to ebb n' flow

details emerged

and layers of serenity

found me

as I weathered the storm..

pocketed memories appeared 

to collect n' treasure

as far as the eyes could see

be open to feel the sun's embrace

through the black n' blue of my dis-ease

through clouded thoughts

I could see the day's jewels

I hope you see them, too

© Ellen Wilson

This is profound and odd, but those closet to me, all have a blue birthstone. My mother, brother and son are all Sapphires in my life, born in the month of September.  My husband and daughter are born in March. Their birthstone is Aquamarine.   Me, I am green-born in May. My birthstone is Emerald and my word for the New Year, 2013-is to grow!   I am truly surrounded by a sea of blue.   What about you?  What is your eighth wonder?  What surrounds you?   Love n' hope is what I wish for you, for now and always!