Prologue

The poems found in Tiny Lights grew from the joy of shining a light on the healing path…

In Your Bones was written to acknowledge some of the darkness in my life and claim power over it. However, I longed for a greater chance to express the joy that comes from healing. These poems came from my continuing amazement at how our bodies and souls lean into healing. We only have to look inside to be dazzled by how our bodies work to care for us. The minute bloodletting starts blood clotting begins. Wounds and broken bones start healing as soon as a breach is made. We are brilliantly born with a system that constantly regulates our internal equilibrium.

If ever there was a big moment it is found in every breath we take and the next one that follows.

Moving out from our bodies there are a multitude of unseen or barely noticed miracles that can give way to epiphanies and/or events that change us forever. Connections between ants and cosmic realms, roadkill and reverential love, a hair falling out of place and death, a rumpled hat giving way to passion, the power of words, names and memories, are just a few of the examples of where we might find big moments. They may or may not be what we hoped for or expected, but woven together they tell our stories. It is a constant challenge to keep finding words that heal, inspire and delight. May the words offered here be some of those. And may they encourage you to see and honor all the small yet powerful words and moments that fill your life. May they help you name and frame the legacy that is your own and help you announce ‘your place in the family of things’, as Mary Oliver so beautifully offers in her poem Wild Geese.

This is the Prologue from Tiny Lights which sets the stage for a deep dive into these poems, where each one came from, and the promise of where each one may go in order to tip the scales towards words we need to hear and share. May it be so. ~dpd

Writing/Meditation Prompts:

• Watch one or both of the videos above for getting started writing. Video 2 refers to “Metronome”, Video 3 refers to “Intensive Care”and “Roadkill”, all from Tiny Lights (and several from When You Know).

• Sit for a moment and think of one small moment that had an impact on your life.

• As a teacher I loved all the “small poem” books by Valerie Worth (All the Small Poems and Fourteen More) and used them for years as writing prompts using the simplest ideas (ie. cellophane, a dog’s tongue, a lawnmower, a chair…) and had a 2nd grader once write the most amazing poem about a paperclip! What are some of the small yet powerful words and moments that fill your life. Make a list or timeline.

• Is there a small poem you need to find or write? What is one small thing or moment that you find yourself fascinated with? Just start writing to see if you can discover what it holds for you.

• What do you have to show for your life? You may have to look hard for small things to cling to. Writing can bring those things into focus to be honored properly. Your words can last longer than you do if you write them down!

• More power to you as you tip the scales in words, writing, and/or meditation towards those you “deserve to say and to hear”.