Friday, January 25, 2013

A Certain Warmth




"If the world seems cold to you, kindle fires to warm it." ~Lucy Larcom




Each of us has a longing deep in our soul for the warmth of another's touch.
So we reach out our hands with a quivering want like winter's soldier by the camp fire hoping to quell loneliness's abysmal sting, for life is sometimes cold and the atmosphere around us can be lonely and parched no matter what direction we turn.  Yet, if we truly long to find warmth from outside of ourselves, and hold something more than an arsenal of empty sorrows by our side, then we need to learn how to relinquish our need to grasp it so tightly, and give some of what we hold away.  Like any great loving gift, the reward is always as lovely as the offering.  Karma always comes round full circle no matter how large the sphere.  So reach out to the world with the warmth of kindness.with all that you possess inside, and watch the beauty and warmth of the flickering flame spread like wild fire.



Dear lonely soldier hold on to life's true warm breaths
  with all the guts and grit you could ever hold inside,
 then reach out to the wilderness of sorrows
 a hand willing to open and then open wide.
The warmth of loving kindness can be found
 in a world full of deep hurts and grief.
You must be willing to lick the flame
 if you wish to taste all that is good and sweet.
So trudge further onward with muddy boots
 to the greatest depths of a war torn land,
for this life is a passage through rocky and lonely streets
to stumble down and  in hardship's bounty learn to stand.










20 comments:

  1. Wow Carrie...what a beautiful tribute to those that serve.

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  2. Carrie, Carrie ... this is immensely moving.

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  3. Carrie, each single line in this poem could stand on its own as a quote! This is very moving. I esp. like this.." Yet, if we truly long to find warmth from outside of ourselves, and hold something more than an arsenal of empty sorrows by our side, then we need to learn how to relinquish our need to grasp it so tightly, and give some of what we hold away. " Thank-you.

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  4. thses are wonderfully wise and compassionate words Carrie!

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  5. ...you must be willing to lick the flame... perfect Carrie...a wonderful offering that truly inspires...smiles...

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  6. Hi Carrie,
    dropped by to read and absorb the depth of your beautiful words.

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  7. There is much wisdom here. I like the image of the soldier warming his hands at the fire. Just lovely.

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  8. Great job! I especially like the first verse-

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  9. wow...true on how we crave touch...and i am pretty sure they have proven that we need it to survive and grow...the second verse is my fav...thoughts of those off serving...my nephew is there now...

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  10. The introduction alone is worthy of a round of applause, but the poem gets the bouquet

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  11. like winter's soldier by the camp fire hoping to quell loneliness's abysmal sting.... very well done. Congrats

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  12. This is so well done and thought provoking!

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  13. lovely...and thank you for the quote at the beginning as well

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  14. there's nothing lonelier than being lonely around a lot of other people

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  15. Beautiful, Carrie, and this especially touched me:
    "Yet, if we truly long to find warmth from outside of ourselves, and hold something more than an arsenal of empty sorrows by our side, ..."

    Your blog is so darned gorgeous, all the special sidebar treats...thank you.

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  16. I feel it so much...like it was written for every lonely soul on earth...a quiet voice of wisdom, courage and more than anything, hope! Thanks, Carrie!

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  17. Such beautiful wisdom as always, Carrie.
    And soldiers we all are. Drafted into wars we couldn't avoid.
    Battles that leave deep scars
    This thing called life
    And sometimes, the best we can do is share a warm fire with another fallen comrade.

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"Our best thoughts come from others." ~Ralph Waldo Emerson