Heart & Soul Poems

By Shirley Ann Wood

After a near-death experience at a young age, Shirley Ann Wood began writing poems to document how the event changed her life, and to somehow put words to her newfound and deep belief in God.

Over the years, as the collection grew, she began to write about different aspects of her life. Heart & Soul Poems is the end result. Honest, unflinching, and deeply moving, these poems aim to provoke soul-searching and give hope and personal enlightenment to all. Through symbolism, metaphor, and imagery, Woods themes center on the most basic of human emotions: love, acceptance, fear, pain, and courage.

In The Circle Game, Wood explores the circular paths we follow in trying to understand what God has planned for our lives; The Dreamer looks at Woods alter ego in her dreams. Golden Bells celebrates the miracle of Jesus birth, and Hiding Place reveals the secret spot in our soul where we all go at certain times to conceal ourselves from the world.

Woods emotional language and strong imagery offers powerful inspiration. Heart & Soul Poems will resonate with you long after the last page is turned.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Trafford Publishing
• Release date: Jan 19, 2011
• ISBN: 9781426952043

Shirley Ann Wood

Shirley Ann Wood was born in Fort William, Ontario, now known as Thunder Bay. She moved to Liverpool, Nova Scotia, when she was two years old and presently resides in Chester Basin, Nova Scotia. She will continue to write her poetry as long as she is able.

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© Copyright 2011 Shirley Ann Wood.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the written prior permission of the author.

Printed in the United States of America.

isbn: 978-1-4269-5202-9 (sc)

isbn: 978-1-4269-5203-6 (hc)

isbn: 978-1-4269-5204-3 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2010918547

Trafford rev. 12/27/2010

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North America & International

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FOREWORD

The poems that are included in this manuscript are a collection of writings that I started when I was very young. I became inspired to write these poems by the events that I experienced as I was growing up. I am still writing poems at the age of 82, and will continue as long as I am able.

Over the years I have had great feedback from many readers. This has inspired me to have my poems in print for others to enjoy. I would be more than pleased to know that my poems have inspired or brought comfort to those that will read them.

I have separated my works into two manuscripts one with the title Heart & Soul Poems, and the other titled Faith & Hope Poems. I have a strong Christian belief and therefore many of my poems, especially the poems included in the Faith & Hope manuscript, will reflect this.

These poems are appropriate for readers of all ages and hopefully will be an inspiration for all that read them.

Contents

FOREWORD

ABSENTIA

ACCEPTANCE

ALL I KNOW

ALL IS WELL

ALL MY CHILDREN

ALWAYS THERE

AWARE

BENJAMIN

BEYOND

BIG BUSINESS

BLUE EGYPTIAN SKIES

CEASED TO BE

CHAMELEON

THE CHANGELING

CHILD OF A DREAM

CHILD OF THE UNIVERSE

CHILDREN OF THE SEA

THE CIRCLE GAME

COLOURS

CRUEL REALITY

DEAR GENTLE

DEAR GOD

DEAR MR. MORGENSTEIN

DEARLY BELOVED

DEJA VU

DESPAIR

THE DIFFERENCE IS DISCERNABLE

DIFFERENT

DON’T INVOLVE YOUR HEART

THE DREAMER

DUMPED

EXISTING

FAITH RESTORED

FANTASY

FANTASY GIRL

GIFT OF LOVE

THE GLORY SEEKERS

GOLDEN BELLS

GOOD GUYS

THE GREATEST GIFT

GREEN

GROWING UP

GUIDANCE

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

HAPPY BIRTHDAY HONEY

HAPPY BIRTHDAY KAREN

HAPPY ENDINGS

HIDING PLACE

HIDING PLACES

THE HYPOCRITE

I AM

I WISH

THE IMAGE

I’M HERE

LEECHES

LESS THAN ANGELS

LIFE FORM

LIMBO

LIMELIGHT

LITTLE SISTER

LONELY

LOST RADIANCE

LOVE UNTOLD

LOVE’S RESTORATION

MADAM

THE MAJIC KEY

MAGIC MOMENT

THE MAGIC MOMENT

MALIGNED

THE MAN OF SAMIRKAND

MAYBE SO, MAYBE NOT

MERRY CHRISTMAS

MISGUIDED

MISSING INGREDIENT

MISTS OF TIME

MOTHER

A MOTHER’S THOUGHTS

MY DARLIN’

NEW DAY

THE NIGHT

NOBLE CREATURE

NO ROOM FOR ME

NO WAY IN

NORTHERN LIGHTS

ONE DAY AT A TIME

PARALLEL’S

PASSING MOMENT

PEACE OF MIND

PERCEPTION

THE PLACE

PLAY ON WORDS

POMPOUS.

POOR LITTLE ONE

PREJUDICE

PRIDE GOETH BEFORE A FALL

PRISMS

QUANDARY

THE QUEST

RAVE ON

REALITY

REGRETS

REMEMBER ME

REMEMBRANCE DAY

RIGHT FOR YOU

SACRIFICE

THE SACRIFICE

THE SAME FOR YOU

SEARCHING

SEASONS OF MANKIND

THE SEED

SEEING YOU

SET FREE

SHE STOOD

SILENT ANGUISH

SONG OF LOVE

SOUL MATES

SPECIAL

I’M SPECIAL

STORYBOOK

SWEET SIXTEEN

SWEET THING

TELL ME WHY

THANK GOD

THANK YOU

THERE WAS A TIME

THINKING OF YOU

THIS WOMAN

TIME ALONE

TIRED

TO BE

TO DONNA

TO MOM

TORMENT

TOUCH ME

TREASURES

THE UNICORN

UNICORN’S POINT OF VIEW

THE UNKNOWN

THE POWER OF LOVE

A MADMANS DREAM

LOVE FLOURISHES

YESTERDAY

WHAT POWERS?

YOU NEEDED ME

UNTO THY SELF

UNTOLD LOVE

USED TO BE

VISIONS

THE VISIT

WHAT ABOUT ME

WHAT GOOD

WHAT I DIDN’T DO

WHEN

WHERE BEAUTY LIVES

WHERE DID I COME FROM

WHERE DID SHIRLEY GO

WHERE YELLOW ROSES GROW

WHY

WITHOUT LOVE

WOMAN OF THE EARTH

WOOD ‘N DOLL

WORDS

YESTERDAY

YOU

YOU!

YOU WILL NEVER KNOW

ABSENTIA

He went away that summers day

Saying he’d return no more

Long years ago he’d gone away–

Turned his back, until the day

He decided that he loved her,

All would be upon her as it was before

He called her name, but all in vain–

She didn’t live there anymore!

So he went looking for her,

He would find her–He was sure!

But everyone, he asked, just said–

She never comes here anymore!

Then one night as he sat drinking

Out there dancing on the floor–

Suddenly he saw the one–

That he’d been searching for

He went to her–said dance with me

And he held her–as before–

But now–The one he’d left behind

Didn’t live there anymore!

ACCEPTANCE

I have loved so many people, oh so very much,

With all my heart and all my life, & yes my very soul

But I have learned as years went by–

Not to tell them so.

You tell them that you love them

When they seem to have a need,

Otherwise, you wait, you hope,

And sometimes - you recede-

To a place that’s set apart-

It’s called your place

Within their minds

No place within their hearts - Until!

They have nobody else

Who ever seems to care-

And then - once more - they’ll beckon-

Just to have somebody there !

Then you will do! Ah yes you !

Can you believe that this is true?

That now you are accepted-

You can become a part-

Of what you always wanted

A place within their heart.

They open wide the portals

That you may step inside

But if you do-

Remember you-

Always will abide-

Within the realm of what they feel

What they think and do,

And someday - you could vanish

Every single bit of you

And from the ashes, could arise

What you were never meant to be

A Phoenix of the one, you loved

With their exact identity

Imprinted with their thoughts and actions

With all their hopes and dreams

Working for the goals they want

involved in all their schemes

You lose the way you meant to go

For they mean more than you,

You have no time left over

to Do what you should do !

Ah well - that’s - life. The way it is !

Do they not tell you so?

So go to hell - or go your way !

Ah ! Lord! Which way to go?

ALL I KNOW

If I could teach you all I know

And in some ways show–

You how I learned so much

It would mean absolutely nothing!

For he who thinks that he is

Wise should look inside

Look at the skies, and ponder

Well–

For never in Ten lifetimes

Could we know enough to tell–

You how to think–

Your wisdom comes from deep inside

Formed from what you hear

And touch, smell and see–

All or any one of these–

Will lead you to decide

What you wish to keep or throw away

And as you grow, your choices

Will make you who you are from day to day

Should you decide at any time

You do not want to be–

The way you are–

Then simply change your mind

And go as far as your imagination dares

One word of caution–

All must be done thru love of what you do

By a soul that cares

Seek out others of your kind

Those of gentle mind – and

Tender touch who lift you up

And would never crush your–

Fragile hopes and dreams–

They are The Creators

Beware the ones who scheme

Then like alligators–

Intent on what they want – devour you

All you try to do

ALL IS WELL

Unicorns and carousels

Ferris wheels and wishing wells

Fairy tales and make-believe

The practice never to deceive

Rainbows – never- never land–

Where all who live – Love – understand

God’s in his heaven - all is well–

For those who love – there is no hell!

All this! And more! Throughout my life–

As daughter – Sister – friend and wife–

I have believed with all my soul–

But that was, Ah! – so long ago –

But why? Cannot – I yet let go?

Of all that’s proved – To be not so!

Could it be? I am misplaced?

Unlike the others of my race

I’m just a thought that’s gone astray?

And perhaps – when ere the day–

God smiles – and sets me free!

I’ll find – in never- never land–

What now! Can never be!

Ah –Twill be good to be back home!

I! Nevermore shall leave–

To live with mortals of such kiln!

Who never! Can believe!!!

ALL MY CHILDREN

Sweet tender child that delights my eye

Flesh of my flesh – your face, forever etched upon my immortal soul.

Love so great I weep, for as I hold the soft loveliness of you within my arms

I see the future – near – so near, when I must let you go

The paths you walk will be your choice

For your soul is free – God given to you alone

And I can partake of only what you choose to share with me

But know that I am here, to comfort – to help to love – I care so much!

But if I give, so do I receive!

For as the sun warms the earth – your love warms my heart with a tender touch

You give meaning to my life. Could I but open up my heart,

You’d find that you’re a part of every breath I take!

I delight in all your joys and victories

And hurt as you do with every painful mistake

But caring, I must hold your love with open hand

Lest I crush the fragile Beauty that is you!

So Dear Heart heed your own good counsel,

Find all the Happiness you can, and be kind in all you do!!

ALWAYS THERE

If I should go–where you can’t follow,

Look within your