A Feather in the Wind: Poetry for the Mind, Body, Spirit and Soul

By Diana Turner-Forte

A Feather in the Wind: Poetry for the Mind, Body, Spirt and Soul is a collection of poems to stimulate the mind, open the heart, and make the soul sing. A Feather in the Wind is presented in six sections: Peace and Harmony, The Source, Nature, Interconnectedness, On Waking Up, and Dancing. Relocating to the rural south and the solitary lifestyle that transition affords, being surrounded by nature, listening to the sounds of birds in the morning, taking fresh vegetables from the garden, and taking long drives to teach in nearby cities were opportunities for reflection. Over time, Ms. Turner-Fortes recollections of meeting many different people and engaging in diverse conversations became a catalog of words, thoughts, and phrases. A Feather in the Wind is partly the result of those contemplations, giving voice to observations through the literary style of poetry.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Balboa Press
• Release date: Jul 26, 2018
• ISBN: 9781982208073

Diana Turner-Forte

Diana Turner-Forte is a Teaching Artist in Dance and Movement with a vision to transform the human spirit through these arts. She has devoted her life to training, informing and educating children and adults in developing a harmonious relationship between body, mind, and spirit. Diana Turner-Forte's philosophy is rooted in the belief that dance and movement are tools for maintaining the body's self-regulatory mechanism to heal, recharge and regenerate. Her multi-faceted approach to Life consists of daily spiritual disciplines, healthy and sustainable eating habits, exercise, meditation and inner contemplation. Ms. Turner-Forte is a Reiki Master/Teacher and professed in The Third Order Society of St. Francis. She lives in North Carolina with her husband, a wood artisan and pet schnauzer, Pierre.

Book preview

I. PEACE AND HARMONY

I no longer believe in peace that can save the world, feed the hungry or relieve the suffering of the poor. The peace that can do that is embedded in the human spirit and must be cultivated through dedicated inner work, there is the hope.

A FEATHER IN THE WIND

A feather in the wind, am I

Floating from place to place.

Muses and saints

Pushed, and prodded, sometimes cajoled

Recognizing an incorrigible human being.

Responding to their leads with protests and demands

Going this way, then that, in stubborn indignation

Hitting stone walls, humbled to prayer—

Angels sighed with compassion, their heads in their hands.

Moment to moment the guidance came

Taken to heart, a transformed life;

Ignored, well, another detour

Down a thorny path of anxiety and worry

Bumped and scarred into despair and depression.

Still messages came through opened portals, one at a time

Answers always there …like a feather in the wind.

FORGIVENESS

On my knees a humble plea

Words caught in my throat.

Tears rolled down my weary face

Can’t explain when I had fallen.

Distracted by worldly delusions,

Locked in pride, lost, nowhere to hide.

Where is that Higher ground

I bowed to kiss his feet

I felt myself lifted up

I knew my anguished prayers were heard.

First one foot and then the other, there I was

Standing face-to-face …

A whisper touched my soiled cheeks, you are forgiven

There I was vibrating higher to walk this earth unless of course, I’m carried.

A PRAYER

A request, a plea, thanksgiving at best

In contemplation, led to follow the inner silence

Deeper, deeper into the Essence

Pause and wait within that space of

                    Magnificence.

Sense the feeling, rest in IT

A softened heart, a quieted mind

Be content in this stillness

Breathing in you, through you to find

                    the Self that