Friday, February 11, 2011

Flash fiction 55, 2/11/11

                                                                          ( 55 in italics)
Sometimes on short notice, we are asked to share
our 'Experience, Strength and Hope'
in recovery. Last night was one of those.
We say a prayer and then
We tell a story about 'What it was like,
what happened and what it is like now.'

  Can you see the silhouette over there
-see where I am pointing?

    " Down the train platform,
     a figure, quite straight and thin
     -if you look a bit closer through 
     the back light and steam-
     tweedy brown suit
     with a rounded hat,
     a frizzy pony tail
     over the left shoulder,
     her nose buried in a book.
     At her feet, well blended
     a stiff suitcase
     in shaded yellow."

This is a person my Higher Power
has shown me.Where she came
from and where she has gone since,
Has involved some painful choices.
Insanity,oblivion, Mercy and Grace -

She is a traveler. On the move to and fro.

Have you ever looked down on a lake from above
surrounded by evergreens ?
Sometimes the scene is Winter
sometimes Summer-
Sometimes there is movement
in and around those trees.
Or it may only be tracks in the snow
to tell you 'someone' has been here.

    I never know what views
H.P. will want to draw on.
I dread the dredging-
But I have learned
'This too shall pass.'
I have come to understand
that you who are listening,
may need to hear
where I have been. What I have
encountered.
I look back over what came through
and wonder- was it enough?
What could they possibly
have gotten from that ?

Sometimes you folks tell me
afterward. Sometimes not.
Usually there is at least
some " Thanks for sharing".
"I like your honesty"-
Occasionally specific incidents
are mentioned.
You have told me:
Just "Pass it on".
Just do it. "Let go..."

It may bring me to tears
amazement, acceptance;
But somehow, somewhere,
always gratitude. Amen.












13 comments:

TALON said...

There is power and healing in sharing.

gautami tripathy said...

Thanks for posting this...

lined up...

G-Man said...

Izzy....
Thanks for sharing something very personal with us.
Although it was a tad hard sorting out the 55!
You Rock The Eastern Seaboard Baby.
Thanks for playing, and have a Kick Ass Week-End.

Linda said...

An interesting 55...and more.

Brian Miller said...

smiles. yeah i know this...its nice to have those that can speak into us...

moondustwriter said...

I love your pondering and searching for the answer
part of that scenario is a reminder - we are on a journey some of it pleasant, some of it not so and some is hell!

you are a survivor and your stories give perspective for others - relish that...

Margaret said...

Experience, strength and hope. Hope is what gets us through, strength is nurtured through experience. I truly think that our past makes us who we are. I also think it is important to look more towards the future than the past. I like the significance of the shaded yellow suitcase. To me it signifies a warm happiness (too bright and it hurts the eyes) the train station: a marching on our life's journey. And we are all on a "journey" and not one of us knows exactly where or when our ride will end. (Hmm, I think I've been writing too much poetry... LOL) Have a nice weekend!

steveroni said...

IZZY!
Once, in early sobriety I was asked tp speak. After, I said to my sponsor, "Hey I must have done a pretty good job, huh?"

He whipped right back, "Hey you dumb a**h**e, they applaud for EVERYBODY!"

Seriously (although that was true story) you do realize if only ONE person heard ONE word to carry them through the night, you have done your job well. We just do the footwork, and leave the rest up to Higher Power. PERIOD!

I had a long time getting through the 'ego' part, even though I had nothing to be proud FOR--grin! All we have is a gift, to be passed on to another.

You are doing GOOD, girl! I LOVE reading your blog, and Shhhh! (whisper) it helps me!

PEACE!

Suz said...

well done

Scott M. Frey said...

Izzer... beautiful, honest... I love this!

Anonymous said...

Ahh....a very wistful but lovely read!! Sometimes, some stories simply HAVE to be shared...no matter what!
Thanks for sharing this one with us, my friend...

Linda Bob Grifins Korbetis Hall said...

sharing helps relieve the stress and pain..

awesome poetry.
Happy Valentine's Day.

Hyde Park Poetry Palace said...

Greetings, how are you?
Write a free verse 4 Poets Rally, enjoy poetic friends, you are invited!

Hope to see you in,

Love your poetry talent and looking forward to a profound experience with your input.

Cheers.
xoxox

an old poem would do.