The Sacred Gift

Your gift begins on airy wings, over a diamond sea.

The British Isles beckon you, steeped in mystery.

Setting down on hallowed ground, you're welcomed to this land.

A warm embrace and gentle smile, the guide then takes your hand.

Through timeless oaks of Coen Y Brenin, which Merlin once called home,

You sense the magick lingering and feel an urge to roam.

Up in the sky, once again, Stonehenge comes in sight.

Your guide informs you quietly of its mystery and plight.

Across the choppy Channel, where boats bob in the waves,

The coast of France looms up large and you sense the hidden graves.

The Eiffel Tower pricks the sky as you fly a joyous circuit.

The winding Seine then calls to you and all Paris is moonlit.

Snow-capped Alps are no obstruction as you wing o'er silent peaks.

And the Riviera warms your soul as the Sea flaunts foamy streaks.

Through Tuscany and Florence with their maze of wineries,

You set down softly and enjoy the scent, amidst the warm spring breeze.

The famous Serengeti is a place you've never seen,

And down below, zebras graze in a sheltered lush ravine.

Nomads have walked this timeless land in harmony with nature.

While the camels plod an unseen path with their load of myrrh.

The sand is hot in the Valley of Kings and a faceless sphinx smiles at you.

And alongside ancient pyramids, you see the Nile painted blue.

Across the Red and Dead Seas, your guide points out key sites.

The beauty overwhelms you as you see Jerusalem's lights.

Istanbul the ancient is but a passing scene

And travelers on the old Silk Road cause your mind to dream.

China's Great Wall looms up large and you marvel at its splendor,

And the Torii Gates of Japan rouse feelings that are tender.

Wondrous peace envelopes you as your guide squeezes a hand.

Your gratitude is noted and she whispers, "I understand."

Alaska's rugged country flashes by with untold beauty.

And down the continent's west coast, toward lands of mystery.

The Andes rise from puffy clouds - perhaps the Mayan Heaven?

And ruins of that enlightened race capture your attention.

The elder gods of Easter Island maintain their silent watch,

And Macchu Picchu, once lost to time, lies in a bright green swatch.

Your guide informs you there's one last thing that's imperative you see.

And then you're in the star-filled sky, on heaven's balcony.

Below a gleaming blue sphere rotates to catch the sun.

You can almost see Ra's chariot and that night is on the run.

A sense of peace and reverence hold you gently in their grasp.

Your guide's next words are shocking and you can't suppress a gasp.

Down below, the silent Earth rotates and bears as witness.

And the true identity of your guide, to you, she does confess.

"This beauty is My gift to you, with its mountains, lakes and life.

You're honoured Me, My child, even through your strife.

You've treated friends as family and stranger as a friend.

It may not seem that your love's returned but on this you can depend.

"My eyes see all and, to Me, your soul is beautiful.

The sites that we've explored this night are but small parts of the whole.

In the coming times of earthly change, your gentle soul is needed -

To guide the way and share your love to the souls that I have seeded.

"Don't ever falter to lend a hand, if you sense the need within.

For it is My quiet voice that speaks and great love to you I send.

Along the way you may despair, for some things you can't evade.

Just remember this small gift from Me and remember all I've said."

The sun's first light peeks inside as it crests the eastern sky.

And soaring high on solar wind, there's a joyous bird's sweet cry.

Sleepy eyelids open slowly and you note you're home in bed.

And wonder was it just a dream and turn a wary head.

A single rose in full bloom lays silent on your pillow.

You pick it up in wonder and walk towards your window.

You feel the magick in the rustling leaves, under clouds of downy fleece.

This sacred present is now your own, the Goddess' gift of peace.

Personal Note: The mother of a dear friend underwent serious, cancer-related surgery and I was unable to buy her a gift. Instead, I requested assistance from my guides and this poem was the end result. At present, it is laminated and hangs prominently in her living room for all visitors to see. There was a message contained within it that my guides wanted me to convey to her. I hope you enjoyed reading this poem as much as I did writing it. It was a definite "labour of love".

Creativity Quick Tip

Get Back To Nature, Man

All too often, as writers, we find there is little time to relax in the great outdoors. Many of us are working one job to support ourselves and spend the majority of our free time engaged in writing-related activities. If it's not research, it's plotting the next chapter of our novel, keeping current with opportunities for work in our particular genre or simply trying to get noticed. After all, we know within ourselves that we have the talent and dedication required to be a success as a writer and the role models we have insist that we need to write, write, write. If you don't spend every free minute writing, you're not a serious author - or so they insist.

If you're at all like me, you experience irrational guilt when you make a choice to take a bit of time to enjoy yourself - when you "should" be spending the time honing your craft, editing your work and generally regarding your gift as a noose around your neck. The key word in that sentiment is "irrational". We all need time, occasionally, to recharge our creative batteries and nature is an ideal source to do exactly that. The great outdoors, especially a spot you personally find peaceful, will assist you in many ways. The key to using the following tool effectively is to make a conscious effort to set aside everything that you consider as "duty" or job related. The creative and healing energies that we can access, if we choose, can have a significant benefit, not only to our overall health but to our creative energy as well.

Simple Method: Prior to leaving your home, pack a small snack. Be sure to include an extra cookie or fruit - anything that the wildlife will find edible. This is very important and you'll understand why very shortly. Walk or bike to a trail and continue until you find a spot that you feel is comforting. Key aspects to consider are water, older trees and flowers or vegetation. Weeping willows are one ingredient that I look for because they are generally associated with wisdom and protection and they lend an air of serenity.

Once you've found your spot, hopefully far from traffic noises, take a moment to stop and close your eyes. Listen to the birds, the bubbling water, the wind rustling through the overhead leaves and allow yourself to sample the peace and serenity of the spot you've chosen. With closed eyes, gently whisper, "Guardians of this (wood, glen, river etc.) please allow me the privilege of enjoying your peace, beauty and serenity. I promise to leave your sanctuary untouched and unspoiled. Thank you granting me this honor." Take an extra few seconds and enjoy the peace and then open your eyes, find a suitable place to sit and then do as you please. If you only have limited time, break open your snack and enjoy but save a small bit of everything. Be alert to any wildlife that approaches because it is never random. For me, a bird of some sort will almost always drop in and light on a branch close by. It's important that, if they do, take a moment and thank them for coming to say hello. Nature spirits can take many forms so don't dismiss anything as unimportant. Take the time to really drink in your surroundings and let your worldly cares become secondary for those few short minutes. Close your eyes and use your hearing to isolate the sounds of this tiny world you've been granted access to. Breathe gently and evenly and allow the gentle energies of your chosen spot to infuse you.

When it's time to leave, pack up everything you brought except the small pieces of your snack that you set aside. Lay them out gently and slowly, pick up your knapsack and walk back to the spot where you first requested entry. Close your eyes and gently whisper, "Thank you, guardians, for allowing me to share your beauty, peace and serenity. As I promised, I have left your sacred spot undisturbed, just as I found it. Please accept my offering and my sincere gratitude." With a final bow, turn and leave your special place.

Any time you feel stressed, close your eyes and remember the peace you experienced while a guest of nature. Better yet, make it a point to put time aside every week to recharge your creative batteries. Maintaining our mental health, as writers, is essential. Take time to allow Mother Earth to feed and nurture your soul and you will find that minor problems really are, well, minor.