Danna Faulds: "Walk Slowly"

It only takes a reminder to breathe,

a moment to be still and just like that,

something in me settles, softens,

makes space for imperfection. The harsh

voice of judgment drops to a whisper

and I remember again that life isn’t a relay race;

that we will all cross the finish line;

that waking up to life is what we were born for.

As many times as I forget, catch myself charging forward

without even knowing where I am going,

that many times I can make the choice

to stop, to breathe, to be and walk

slowly into the mystery.

"Walk Slowly" by Danna Faulds. Go In and In: Poems from the Heart of Yoga (Peaceable Kingdom Books, 2002). 

Art credit: "Woman Carrying Load on Her Head," image by unknown photographer.

Danna Faulds: "Allow"

There is no controlling life.
Try corralling a lightning bolt,
containing a tornado. Dam a
stream, and it will create a new
channel. Resist, and the tide
will sweep you off your feet.
Allow, and grace will carry
you to higher ground. The only
safety lies in letting it all in—
the wild with the weak; fear,
fantasies, failures and success.
When loss rips off the doors of
the heart, or sadness veils your
vision with despair, practice
becomes simply bearing the truth.
In the choice to let go of your
known way of being, the whole
world is revealed to your new eyes.



"Allow" by Danna Faulds. Text as published in Go In and In: Poems from the Heart of Yoga (Peaceable Kingdom Books, 2002). 

Art credit: Untitled image by unknown photographer.