the heart holds many things –
joy and sorrow sit together –
nestled… inseparable
within the depths of each of us.
when we are privileged to hold
another’s suffering
the heart can feel as though it may burst…
but somehow it makes room……
and this space feels sacred,
indeed, it is sacred
coming, as it does,
from the divine within us.
*****
Grand Rounds
* gods in white coats walk up and down the hall selling hope * the nurse’s hand on his broken neck sweating profusely * the needle slips in carrying him from pain to oblivion * the sound after the last breath sigh of relief * stroke renders her tongue useless brain stormed * flying manic look ma – no hands high wire act * his appointment tethered to dialysis three times a week * close your eyes walk fifteen minutes in my blind shoes * dont leave this dreadful pain alone with me * what day is it? do you know where you are? who is president? * ninety- five fit as a farmer in spring new pacemaker * new diagnosis an ovarian monster she doesn’t cry * through the windshield pupils fixed and dilated first grader * which words explain X-ray results to stricken parents? * gods in white coats walk up and down the hall begging for hope * ©WabiSabi 2013For Recuerda Mi Corazon ‘Haiku My Heart’
wabi sabi ~~~ poems and images 
My heart – open
like open heart surgery
Touched in many ways
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Just amazing 🙂
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An haiku epic there. Nice one.
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Pretty powerful stuff…I could reallly relate to a lot of it with aging-parents and friends going through medical issues right now. Brilliantly done…I am really moved.
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Wow! I agree ~ very powerful poems and haiku ~ so much a part of life ~ lots of healing hugs to all ~ ^_^
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Whether the “gods in white coats are selling or begging for hope, they try to find what it takes to cope with all these different kinds of pain and malaise, a powerful epic haiku to be sure,,,
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Amazing, feeling, beings, those gods see on their rounds
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the dialysis haiku reminds me of a martial law architect.
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The gods in white coats image is still haunting me…like a refrain on the flip side of “nights in white satin…” Disturbingly beautiful!
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After 7 heart attacks, 2 bypass surgeries, blood clots lodged inn my heart, congestive heart failure and a pacemaker of my own, your words here today struck thoughtful memories in me, reminding me to be conscious of why I am still amongst the living.
Peace
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Hi Spadoman,
Thank you for your comments. This poem is still a work in progress. It is an effort to describe the healing that flows FROM the people who come to the ‘gods in white coats’ seeking healing. I wanted to honor those people and acknowledge the blessings I received and still receive from them. People who are seemingly bruised and broken, sick and dying, often have no idea of the effect their lives can have on others!
I am not sure that my poem achieves this yet. But I will keep trying.
Having read your blog many times, I have no doubt that blessings and love flow from your heart to all who meet you. You are still amongst the living for the same reason we all are – to live…. and love….until you die!
Peace and thank you for sharing!
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Powerful stuff. I think it is among our important jobs on this planet now to bring the love, hope, and human life back to those “gods in white coats” and their processes. Let the healing begin…
Light and love to you !
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you are so right, there are intentional gifts we strive to offer to the ones around us, and there are the profound gifts we have no idea we have bestowed on others just by living our truths. your haiku are powerful and haunting.
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That’s a burst of emotions, pain, hope and creativity. Take a bow, Wabi!
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you have touched my heart deeply.
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WabiSabi, your poetry is AWESOME!!!
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oh, dear heart,
tears raining down my face
much pain here.
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Lots of nerves being touched here, WabiSabi. I lived the consequences of a stroke for over two years, with my mother. Body mainly healed. Tongue was lost. Such times can tear people apart. I like to think we found new ways to communicate and that drew us closer before her death.
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Holy cannoli…
I am awestruck…truly.
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your poetry has captured a part of life, death, healing, connecting. i am very touched.
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Wow – this post takes one to so many places…like Scrooge’s ghosts, and leaves you breathless from the human experience.
One of the reasons I love the Haiku form is that when done well, one is able to express so much in so few words…it is poetry for an easily distracted world. Made for Memes.
You, my fellow haiku traveller, have to my mind mastered the art form. Bravo and thank you 🙂
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Yup. Me too. I’ve recently wandered off the “health care” path. There’s a lot to consider.
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