Steps Along the Way

By Linda Lucas Walling

Some people experience healing miracles and are suddenly transformed. Others, like me, set out on the path putting one foot after the other, sometimes finding a smooth highway, other times finding the path treacherous. I believe miracles can happen to anyone, and I welcome the time when I allow myself to experience mine. In the meantime, I take my steps and celebrate the way stations and landmarks as I reach them. I have mild cerebral palsy affecting my left side. The necessary spiritual healing that is the subject of these poems may or may not have been triggered by cerebral palsy, but CP has had a strong influence on my life. I have carried much emotional baggage because of it.

These poems are not about seeking and arriving at a final destination. Instead they are about the segment of my journey during which I learned to trust the loving support and guidance that was always available for me. Its available for us all, of course. That was part of my discovery. Discovering the balance of mind, body, and spirit continues into the future. Thats the nature of the Way!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Balboa Press
• Release date: Mar 16, 2016
• ISBN: 9781504347686

Linda Lucas Walling

Linda Lucas Walling’s long time interest in sacred symbols from all traditions guides her spiritual path. That path has been strongly impacted by cerebral palsy. She uses poetry writing and intuitive drawing as meditative tools. Walling is a retired university professor who currently lives in South Carolina.

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Copyright © 2016 Linda Lucas Walling.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by any information storage retrieval system without the written permission of the author except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

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Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Thinkstock are models,

and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Thinkstock.

ISBN: 978-1-5043-4767-9 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-5043-4768-6 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2015921047

Balboa Press rev. date: 3/16/2016

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My Rhythms are unique to me.

I lumber and lurch along.

Broken rhythms set me apart.

I don’t fit. I can’t hide.

    CP destroys the illusion I could be perfect.

Balance and grace are lost to me –

Stiff, twisted, unsymmetrical.

Still photos can forgive.

Video never does.

    CP destroys the illusion I could be perfect.

I grasp and grip and drop without intent.

The brain (not mine) sends its unwanted cues.

    CP destroys the illusion I could be perfect.

It takes two hands I often say,

asking for help with buttons, fasteners, snaps.

The tiny and delicate are easily destroyed in my hand.

    CP destroys the illusion I could be perfect.

Without it – what would I be?

A ballet dancer, light and graceful?

A sculptor chiseling wood or stone?

A seamstress skilled with thread and needle?

   CP destroys the illusion I could be perfect.

Without it – what would I be?

Still seeking perfection? Unwilling to seek help?

Unwilling to accept it?

Or would I be at all?

   CP destroys the illusion I could be perfect.

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Introduction

Some people experience healing miracles and are suddenly transformed. Others, like me, set out on the path putting one foot after the other, sometimes finding a smooth highway, other times finding the path muddy and treacherous. I believe miracles can happen for any of us, and I