Tales of the Soil: A Collection of Inspirational Allegories

By NEC Iankowitz

Tales of the Soil is a collection of spiritual and inspirational allegories that challenge the concept of existence. The book invites each reader to become The Meadow and every creature that calls it home. Venture through time as a dandelion. Experience love, compassion, aging, and learning through the eyes of the butterfly. Explore growth, understanding, and change, as would a droplet of dew.

"I viewed, through the magical eyes of this author, a wondrous tale of what is all about us and yet unseen. The writing is powerful, evoking images that brought tears as I read, echoing truths that resonated deeply. The ordinary so transformed, that I could neither read it aloud without my voice breaking, nor read it through dry eyes. This is a spiritual journey, in the story style of the ancient medicine men of native cultures, which touches the Great Spirit in us all. Discover the world above, below and within this special Meadow as the stories are painted through your minds eye upon the palette of your imagination. I don''t know how she does this, but I''m grateful that she does.

~ Daniel Cohen Ph.D., Retired Executive Director New York Testing and Guidance Center, Assistant Professor, Educational and Developmental Psychology Pace University, Adjunct Assistant Professor, Educational Psychology Brooklyn College, Dean of Students, NYC Bd. of Education, Fellow Royal Society of Health (Eng.)

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse
• Release date: Nov 21, 2005
• ISBN: 9781467856034

NEC Iankowitz

NEC Iankowitz has been invited to publish her work in a number of books including The Silence Within, Letters from the Soul and The Sound of Poetry. Her poems, essays and short stories have appeared in magazines, journals and newspapers such as Reader’s Digest, Creations, Pace Literary Magazine, The Menorah and The Gannett Suburban Newspaper.   Marcy and Her Friends (February 2003) was her first published collection of interactive children’s stories. The main character is a second grader with a strong sense of justice and compassion for others. The reader cheers when Marcy’s inner conflicts (from disorganization to classroom bullies) culminate in her resolution to do her best in the face of the many challenges presented by second grade.   Iankowitz offers workshops ranging from stress management to coping with bullies, and has been interviewed on cable television regarding ‘Bullying And What Can Be Done About It’.   A graduate of Pace University (B.A in Psychology, 1981; Master of Science, 1983), Iankowitz has been a licensed registered nurse and board certified advanced practice nurse for over two decades. In 2002 she became a certified Reiki practitioner. As a wife, mother, writer and healer, she feels most at peace among mountains with trees in view, a pond nearby and a pen in hand.   Vist the author at http://www.NECIankowitz.com

Book preview

© 2005 NEC Iankowitz. All Rights Reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means without the written permission of the author.

First published by AuthorHouse 11/14/05

ISBN: 1-4208-7928-6 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4678-5603-4 (ebk)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2005907789

Many thanks to …

… Mom and Dad for always believing in me, helping me along the road to self discovery, the inner strength you share so freely, your guidance, undying patience, encouragement, faith, love, support and your tireless efforts to edit this collection; Dad, for your constant time and attention to content and flow; Mom, for your focus on accuracy, help with petal spirits, Misty, Dawn, for suggesting reconsideration of my earliest version of Spiral of Time and for the hours spent cleaning it up.

… Eitan, my soul mate and husband, for helping make all my dreams come true. As long as I’m with you, I’m home.

… Steve, my brother, for ‘being there’. I hope you know I’m there for you, too. You are very important to me. Here’s to all life’s ‘flicks’ yet to be.

… Grandma Millie- I feel you each day and still hear the tales you often told. Your advice is in my heart: Restraint, to be understanding and using common sense are the Gifts of God! I’m trying to do my best. I believe you help guide the healer in me.

… Sunny- for your perspective during my early years.

… Martin Solomon, for your keen eye and willingness to plod through every page, paragraph, phrase, word, quotation mark and comma just before submission of Tales to the publisher. Your editorial comments were invaluable, and your effort was greatly appreciated.

… Kathryn Sajdak, for the final touches you so graciously offered to Tales. I look forward to returning the favor.

… God- I am most especially grateful for your assistance in my continuing search to understand my place in your beautiful world. Thank you for all of your blessings. It is my sincere hope that I am deserving.

For the inspiration that helped make this collection

of poetry and short stories a reality,

TALES of THE SOIL is dedicated to …

Nita Vilk- Cohen, Dr. Daniel Cohen, Eitan Iankowitz,

Michelle & Jessica Iankowitz, Steve M. Cohen, Esq.,

Mildred Shantzer-Vilk, Mary Ida Goldstein-Cohen,

Lilly & Asher Iankowitz, Trudy & Howard Bauer,

Bev & Sid Ashkin, Sylvia & Lee Rosen, Hilda & Richard Pels,

Chiah Getz, E. Sunny Newmark, Bev & Jerry Vilk, Ann Froman, Nannette Coulter, Shihan Ed & Lucy Binkowski.

In addition, I gratefully acknowledge Sheleah, Tsorus, Shem, Rishon, Bet, Coev, Pachad, Chashash and all original

creatures of The Meadow.

Contents

Insight

Voices

CHAPTER ONE

CHAPTER TWO

CHAPTER THREE

CHAPTER FOUR

CHAPTER FIVE

CHAPTER SIX

CHAPTER SEVEN

CHAPTER EIGHT

CHAPTER NINE

CHAPTER TEN

CHAPTER ELEVEN

CHAPTER TWELVE

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

About the Author

Insight

One dot at the end of a sentence completes a thought.

One would expect that perhaps more than one

Would certainly end what the writer’s begun.

One simple dot means No more to convey.

Yet three of those dots in a row really say

There’s more in the mind of the writer, for sure,

Inviting each reader to seek … to explore …

Stories half written again … yet again,

Paintings half painted by one’s brush, and then

The meanings and messages all come alive

For each individual who takes the time

To see past the picture - to read between lines …

To recognize essences deeply disguised

From less thinking viewers by colors and rhymes.

Various levels … some shallow, some deep …

Reasons and answers with questions to keep

The cogitating intrigued for days …

Those with less power of thought see no maze.

Voices

I am Sky.

I’m filled with wonder.

I paint colors, oh so grand …

You?

A palette!

… plain and barren.

All displays are from God’s hand!

I am Earth and filled with splendor,

I can nourish all that lives …

You?

You’re only dirt!

Dry soil can’t grow the seeds that

our God gives!

I am Water,

deep and shallow-

I reflect the midnight sky.

I am oceans, creeks and rivers.

Without me, all life would die …

You are simple, all of you.

The gifts we have,

Though strong and true,

Are merely what we carry through.

I am Sun and light you, Sky.

I allow each hue to fly.

I’m the warmth that soothes the land.

I feed you, Earth, so seedlings stand.

I’m the splendid elevator that permits you,

Water vapor,

To sail through the atmosphere,

And every droplet, far and near,

Has met our God, and knows God’s here.

So dear Water, green and blue,

And, dear Sky and Earth, it’s true …

Don’t be too impressed, for you

Are only blessed …

You’re spoken through.

CHAPTER ONE

As It Must

Gentle droplets fell.

Beneath the tree that gave it life,

the seed was nourished.

Embedded in the sodden earth,

the seed was safe. Secure.

Shaded from The Meadow’s Sun,

ground above was cool.

Refreshing rain beat heavily upon large,

protective green leaves,

Until late autumn’s brown blanket was laid.

Great Oak slipped into winter slumber.

Seed slept, unaware of the beautiful snowflakes-

… of the bare branches they dressed.

Wisdom shared by the tree’s deep roots: muffled.

Many stories echoed

through the surrounding soil …

Stories passed down and stored by the tree

of bitter snow, scorching Sun,

destructive wind,

threatening clouds …

Vague tales of many things

the seed did not understand.

Spring’s warm sun thawed

winter’s white coat.

New growth awakened.

Blossoms and buds dotted branches.

The seedling reached out with caution

and began to unfold-

It sensed the air.

I am here, said the shadow.

"I will protect you, my precious one.

Our Sun will not burn you.

Snow will not freeze you.

Wind will not tease you.

Clouds will not confuse you.

I will shade you

lest you become frightened

by your own shadow."

Air became still.

Where was the warmth

and welcoming touch?

Seasons passed.

Slowly, the stories began to make sense.

Unable to hear the roots, it knew

what it had to do …

In its effort to feel the rays,

taste rain,

catch snowflakes,

and see clouds …

It struggled until tender young leaves

reached out to stretch

Beyond

the tree’s

p r o t e c t i v e s h a d o w.

CHAPTER TWO

Meant to Be

All life in The Meadow has its calling. The Rooted sprout buds when Earth, Sky, Sun and Air determine the moment. Early spring flowers blossom. Late spring flowers take over. Life returns to the Soil to quietly listen to the tales. Trees, protectors of The Meadow, oversee everything in the distance and beneath. Trees are the greatest storytellers of all.

How I fear the silent slumber.

I don’t want to be encased.

There is more for me to know, and

it would surely be a waste

for me to sleep now.

Please do guide me through this frightening time,

I feel

I have crawled and walked and climbed

through my entire life, and still,

Eternity is waiting.

This truth burns within my soul.

Yet a heavy sleep is beckoning. I’m tired now. I feel cold.

Rest for now. Our Sun is setting.

Trust me, please, the truth you’ll see.

It is not yet clear to you, for you’re just what you’re meant to be.

It is not within our power to know all or understand

What The Meadow has to offer Flyers, Rooters, Rain