*sigh...

Hey I want a "soul lying down place" too!

Rumi brings that special place into our consciousness, dear Twinkie. Here I will quote him:

Rumi was a 13th century Sufi mystic poet. He had intense relationships - deep soul friendships.

I think of that field a lot, and oftentimes find it when I sleep. In fact, that image may be exactly what I need to fall asleep tonight. I haven't had a good sleep since John died, I thought I was headed there tonight and then... kablam. Awake.

Tammyj, you know, I actually feel PAIN that people have the experience that poetry is difficult to understand. The best poetry, in my mind, is infinitely clear and crisp. You might want to check out Mary Oliver's poetry the next time you are at the library with your kids. Pick up any of her books and you will come upon poetry that is soulful AND so.... simple, too. My Dad is one who said to me. " I don't like poetry, I don't get it." And I wrote a poem about hearing my grandfather's spirit in train whistles.  I was practicing with sonnets and that is what came up.

He completely "got" it... and shared it with his sisters who also "got it" and that image became something they held onto for a long time, perhaps still.

A pox upon the intellectuals who have made poetry appear difficult! (I'll put my soap box away now... LOL)