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Secret Sanctuary
CXLVIII.


To wander in my garden fair,
The one that's in my mind,
The one which ever Is
A respite garden of delight,
A solitary treat, - apart -
No part the world out there,
I meet with whom I wish,
Invisibly and mute,
With only secret thoughts
Unchained exchanged
To fill the inner space
Between my cells, - with his.
Like wispy candle’s smoke
Or morning’s subtle mist
Breathe ecstasy so sweet
In solitary moments
When our love's unfurled
Each secret time we meet.
______© Nellieanna H. Hay
Ginger tea and incense.
Flickering candlelight,
Magic Mozart wafting
Parrish art's delight;
Imaginary buttercups
O'er imaginary hill.
A hint of sunlight casting
Playful shadows on the grass;
Mauve shadows overtake my heart
With taunting secrets locked inside -
To open wide, - should Frog take shape
As Prince - upon my windowsill!
______© Nellieanna H. Hay


Silent strains of Mozart
Remind my inner ear
Of secreted chaises longues
Filled with untold passion
For him I hold most dear.
______© Nellieanna H. Hay



Raison d’être
I am here neither to please
Nor to be pleased.
Yet, if sometime I do please,
If sometimes I am pleased,
It is my raison d’être
______© Nellieanna H. Hay


Any way it IS,
Is intimate.
With, without;
Spoken, silent.
Touched, untouched;
Thought, forgot;
Shared, withheld;
Joined, apart;
Bold or scared.
There is a central
Knowing of it, shared
If here, if there, -
If anywhere.
The more it's kept at bay,
Or more it's held away,-
The more will simply stay,
Joined together secretly
Somewhere else, -
Because it simply IS.
______© Nellieanna H. Hay



Comments
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WOW!
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WOW!.
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WOW again!
Thank you for these gems you have shared. I want to kiss the hands that wrote these and the lips that have spoke them...
YOU are incredible...
Nellieanna - What an absolute feast -- for eye, for ear, for heart. I love Maxwell Parrish and you have made such beautiful use of his illustrations.
Wonderful poems, pictures and music. This is mythology, reality and fantasy all intertwined -- just delicious, the best I can explain it is to say that this was, is a hub that one must savor slowly, gratefully. Blessings. Theresa
What a delight to be treated to such an exquisite presentation this morning.
I am so refreshed after leaving your garden, not only do I leave with a lingering scent of your beauty, I leave with regret. Why? because I feel it is this place my inner soul really wants to be, not in the dark abyss of my sorrowful mind. I try my hardest dear poet to leave my past behind, yet it resurfaces as my Muse awaits me. I am truly going to try to lighten up my world. I am taken aback by your magically talented weave of verse you so leave in my heart each time I visit. I like many others can linger here for some time to enjoy what you've shared with us, a pure treasure of your genius as an artist/poet sweet Nellieanna. Hugs
I found this to be beautifully profound, while playing the first video music in the background. : ) Oh what a dreamy web you weave, my fine delicate friend. Such beauty in your words and thoughts from your refined heart. Awesome! Voted up and so much more...
Nellieanna Your pictures are stunning. What a beautiful page you have created. Wow. I delighted in every work of your's sister. Truly a work of art. Your heart explodes in quiet emotion and love. I am honored to follow you. May God continue to shine in you girl so you can share your awesome works. I found allot of peace in you poetry. A sitll assurance that with Christ everything is perfect as it should be. In His timing. Thank You. Many Blessings. Hugs Galore sister. Skye
You are so kind, dear woman...it is I who am honored.
Thank you for knowing just what to say, Nellieanna.
This is so exquisite, beautiful and peaceful, Nellieanna. Today I am drawn to your loving and comforting expressions. Love, Maria
The more it's kept at bay,
Or more it's held away,-
The more will simply stay,
Joined together secretly
Somewhere else, -
Because it simply IS.
Beautiful words as always Nellieanna ; beauty and dignity go with you each time you create another gem.
Thank you for sharing and your poetry so greatly appreciated.
Here's wishing you a wonderful weekend.
Lots of love.
Eddy.
Dear Nellieanna, you have such talent for playing with words! I love:
"Ginger tea and incense.
Flickering candlelight (...)" - it feels like home...
Silent strains of Mozart
Remind my inner ear
Of secreted chaises longues
Filled with untold passion
For him I hold most dear.
Your work is always so beautifully done--for me, this piece of verse is the most riveting here---this feels softly mysterious and so full of love--just beautiful!
The sugar in the tea anecdote is funny! :-) Thank you so much for sharing, it is a joy for me too.
I looked at your Attic page and I am so very, very sorry to hear of Harriet's tragedy. I cannot imagine what that must have been like for your family. And a house fire too! Such difficult experiences.
I noticed your mention of Scottish ancestry---my father is a first-generation Scottish-American. I have been to Scotland twice as a child and feel very close to that side of my heritage. Thriftiness was a cultural trait for our family too; my grandfather would never throw away anything that was useful. But he didn't "hoard" things like we hear about nowadays; he was tidy and efficient and just never let things go to waste. The family joke is that he used teabags twice.
Thank you for sharing the pictures of your dress! Your online scrapbook and nostalgic journals are surely invaluable to all of your family. What a wonderful project!!
I'm glad your book arrived and hope you enjoy it. :-)
Nellieanna---Thank you for the "Four Freedoms" link, I enjoyed it very much; I had never heard of those 4 as a collection before. The cover of my Norman Rockwell cookbook is a print of the "freedom from want". :-) I loved seeing the closeups of the paintings; his work is just amazing---such gifted detail and interesting light but also with such character and significant messages! I truly love him.
Your Jessica book sounds like a wonderful story, and socially significant for sure. It made me think of another Frances Hodgson Burnett story (author of the Secret Garden): "A Little Princess". It was made into a movie starring Shirley Temple and is the story of a rich girl mistakenly orphaned when her military father is injured with amnesia, and her experiences being treated differently according to the wealth she is perceived to have. She was cherished by her father---not just 'spoiled' with materialistic things---and she retains her loving, kind character despite her change in circumstances. I like that story a lot and it is an interesting literary commentary on class politics.
Becuase. . .then, I'd be alone in my "secret sanctuary' :p Your description of reading that way actually brought back fond memories of being wrapped up in one of my favorite afghans reading. Minus the wine, of course.
Yes, Nellieanna, I believe you are already famous! Your poetry is always a delight to read - no matter what the topic. Your title says quite a bit even by itself. I could say more, but maybe I'll save that for when I am snuggled up in that afghan with that glass of wine you mentioned!
All of these poems so beautiful, Nellieanna!
Is Love not the most stubborn emotion? The more difficult it is for Love to grow, the more determined it will grow. So whatever eventually kills Love, is not a nitty-gritty, but one, or a series fatal events...
Hugs to you, my dearest CM :)
Beautiful music in here!
Nellieanna---I remember your mention of Maxfield Parrish and love hearing how familiar you are with him. Norman Rockwell is one of my favorite artists; I love his voice and style. My favorite piece is his "Golden Rule" painting that was turned into a mosaic and given to the United Nations (where I saw it in person! truly beautiful): http://www.un.org/cyberschoolbus/untour/subnor.htm
That one poem did stand out to me from the rest, so thank you for sharing how it was written separately!
I have read "The Secret Garden" by Frances Hodgson Burnett many, many times and seen a couple different movie adaptations. It is such a beautiful story of growth and redemption. A secret garden as a metaphor for the soul is just perfect.
Thank you again for your beautiful imagery! :-)
This is kinda froggy comment but not for any pejorative raison. In a comment I made on a hub about religion recently, I mention that "the purpose of religion is to provide sanctuary in times of need". And now I find myself in your secret sanctuary. If religion is the belief in a divine power, then the beautiful thoughts and feelings arising from your poetic evocation must surely be a manifestation of that which religion calls divine. Your poetry in a sense is providing me sanctuary ....from the rains. It's been raining hard here, great for the plants and frogs but not for one's mood:) I wonder if there's a princess among them....just a silly thought and not that I have any notion of kissing one if one might happenstance be upon my windowsill. ;))
BTW, have you heard that Ian's Mrs Plantagenet-Featheringstonehaugh will be holding a formal affair and her guest of honor is to be H.R.H. Princess Alice of Schleswig-Philistine von Gotha und Hans-Knees-und-Bumsen-Daisy Und-So-Weiter., Whew! Let's just hope her royal highness doesn't turn into a frog at the stroke of midnight. I still won't volunteer to kiss her, regardless of any strains of Mozart ;))
The comment above preceded my listening of the music and your reply to Lurana. The last musical piece is exceptionally beautiful.
Beautiful as always, the secret garden in my mind can be anything it wants to be with unchained thoughts . . . lovely
Nellieanna, "The Secret Garden" is a very special story and theme to me, so this collection brings me much joy and solace. I love the music and the Maxfield Parrish art. This secret sanctuary is pure romance and yet pure enough to be spiritual too---much of this could apply to a prayer garden as well. I love the whispering, wispy mood and I really like the tension of contrasts in the "Anyway it IS" poem. Another masterpiece! :-)
Sighhhhhhh.....so sweet, so sensual, so delicious...
If it weren't for imagination - and memories - life would get pretty boring, me thinks..
and clearly - you agree!
loved this peek into secret thoughts, my friend...never mind the Garden of Eden...I'll take the Garden of Nellieanna any day!
voting up and sharing on..
Voted up and awesome. Nell just a delightful poetic package, pics, words, videos and all. Love this and passing it on.
Nellianna.. i should be coming your way soon.. dont be
Surprise if i show up at your door for a cup of tea..lol
Blessing
The garden in my mind...how beautiful. Your words reak of talent and beauty.
Voted up and awesome.
an outpouring of beauty!
I think I have finally figured out, Nellieanna, another reason why your stunning poetry resonates so deeply with me (and just about every other reader). You have the unique and remarkable ability to say so much profoundly with so little. These beautiful offerings are no exception. That is a rare talent, believe me, from a rare, inventive poetess. Brava!
A masterpiece of creativity by a master poet! It seems we are all in the garden here of late, as the lovely earth is in renewal during this season of spring. Exquisite words from an exquisite lady. Really loved the "Reason to Be."
Voted up ++++ and sharing
Hugs and love, Faith Reaper
Beauty in word and picture and music. This is the Trifecta for sure. Thank you for sharing such lovely work with all of us.
What a wonderful way to start my morning by reading this beautiful poetry!
Well you did it again!!! Just AWESOME! Shared and voted up! First writing of anyones I have been able to read since I am feeling better and how nice it started off with this work of art... GREAT JOB!
Nellieanna, you are the enchantress; and I am enthralled by your magic. :). Pure delight.
Wow! I'm amazed by your poems :) I enjoyed all of them and the videos as well. Voted up and beautiful :)
Blessed am I for this wonderful outpouring of love. Thank you for this.
The music flows like the Wailua River, slowly past The Sleeping Giant, and your poems fall like the deep blush of bougainvillea in their serpentine sweep down the Na Pali cliffs.
Aloha and mahalo, Nellieanna, for this delightful excursion into your secret garden.
Joe
Ms. Nellieanna.. I am ready for your....Ginger tea and incense. Flickering candlelight, and Magic Mozart wafting....
Love love love your poems.. You are the master my poet friend.
Blessings my friend
Sharing
Debbie
I am blown away by your poems. Loved them all. Beautifully expressed. Enjoyed reading and voted way up.
Nellieanna, thank you for sharing another beautiful selection of your poetry with us. I could not begin to say which I like best, since there is so much to like in all of them.
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