Gifts from the Heart: Poems and Inspirational Writings

By Hollis Lashley

“Gifts from the Heart” includes poems, meditations, essays, inspirational
and lyrical pieces which touch our hearts. The book is infused with an aura
of spirituality emphasizing love, compassion and wisdom, encouraging the
reader to delve deeply within.
It is meant to engage us all, regardless of our faith, religion or denomination;
and points to the power of spirit which lies within us all.
It is a treasury of inspiration, spiritual insights and experiences of the divine
which the author expresses with a majestic and poetic rhythm, coming from a
source that he says, is greater than he.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: May 4, 2010
• ISBN: 9781450087339

Hollis Lashley

Hollis Lashley, affectionately called Flash by his acquaintances, holds a graduate degree in psychology and is a lifelong cultural activist. He is a performance poet, singer, writer, MC, and has been active in many multicultural festivals at the Smithsonian, Strathmore, St. Louis Museum, Minneapolis Institute of Art, Brooklyn Museum, and a host of other venues. He is an avowed student of spirituality and particularly enjoys the vibrational uplift of sacred space ceremonies and working with children of all ages. “I am in awe,” he says, “of the messages which come through me, from a place of harmony and peace. I am eternally thankful for manifesting love, which guides my affairs. He lives in Maryland with the offspring of his thyme plant and acknowledges the love of his life, who inspires him to be better today than he was yesterday.

Book preview

Copyright © 2010 by Hollis Lashley.

Photographic credits by Hollis Lashley.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

Rev. date: 01/31/2024

Xlibris

844-714-8691

www.Xlibris.com

70284

Contents

Word Power

Wonders

Unfinished Business

Truth Unfolding

This Too Shall Pass

There Is a Faith

The Sun Rises, Now!

The Silence of Contentment!

The Power of Love

The One Love

The Light Inside!

I Am Thankful

Start Today

Spirit Alive!

Shadow Images!

Rebirth

Pressing On

On Love

O Perfect Joy

My Good!

My God Is!

More

Meditation for Life

Me, Miracle!

Magna Vita Est

Loving

Love’s Anointing

Lovers’ Harmony

Love!

Living the Wonderful Life.

Joy!

It Matters Not

In the Portals of Your Heart

I, the Poem!

I Too!

From Inside Out

I, Sonata

I Promise You

I Am That I Am

I Am Loving You!

I Am Love

Heaven

Harmony: The Keynote

of the Universe

Greatness

God’s Strength

God Expressing!

Give of Yourself

From the Heart up

For My Children

For a Friend (Barbara)

Do It Now

Breakout!

Beloved, Return Home

Being and Serving

Be Whole

A Divine Discontent

A Note on Integrity

Words of a Free Man!

Wellsprings of Joy

To Feel the Presence

The One Light

The Center

Spirituality

Spirit’s Leading!

Spirit of Silence!

Soaring!

Seed-Words!

Prospering!

Perfect Spirit!

Namaskar!

My World!

My Wishes for You

My Heartstrings

Love Is the Law

Love in Action!

Immersion!

How Can I Serve?

For My Soul-Mate!

Ever Present Now

Disharmony Dissolving

Deep Listening

Before You Act!

All You Need

Acceptance

Above the Clouds!

A Unique Talent!

A Power Meditation

Wounds

I Am an

American Child

Being an Empowering Family!

Hallelujah Shoes

Infinite Spaces

In One Accord

Inspirational Sonnet

Loving Companionship!

My Source

My Stand

Sunny Fields

Universal Song!

Foreword

Let’s celebrate is the invitation that Hollis P. Lashley sends to us in this upbeat, optimistic selection of literary meditations. Let’s celebrate life, let’s celebrate love, let’s celebrate joy, let’s celebrate existence, the universe, and its infinite possibilities that are out there for us and in us. This is the message of Gifts from the Heart.

The gifts are taking many forms. Most are poems, but some are essays. Again, most are monologues, but some are dialogues. One even reads like a commitment contract and a set of wedding vows. Some are sonnets, some are odes, and some are longer lyrical pieces. Visually, some lie on the page like the lyrics of a traditional hymn. Others form fascinating shapes like the curves of a female figure. Even the table of contents is crafted like a poem, where every poem’s title is a line of the total composition of free verse.

In all of these pieces, the author talks, sometimes he talks of God, sometimes he talks to God, and sometimes he talks as God. There is a spirituality that infuses the whole volume. Most of it is general enough to engage all of us, no matter what faith we hold or what specific religion or denomination we embrace. But the specific religious references are to the symbols of the Christian faith, which the author dispenses like a true priest or pastor.

To immerse oneself in this volume is to be exposed to the soul of a sensitive human being, who has lived, loved, studied, and toiled. The poems suggest that all these things were done deeply and would have exposed him to the extremes of emotions—ecstasy and heartbreak, triumph and disappointment, and frustration and achievement. Through it all is reflected the fact that the author has learned to accept his place in the universe and to see in life a purpose that is beyond human understanding. Acceptance is the terminus of his journey. He invites us to join him there.

—D. Elliott Parris.

Elliott Parris, PhD.

Chair

Department of Behavioral Sciences and Human Services

Bowie State University

Introduction to

Gifts from the Heart

The ideas expressed in Gifts from the Heart come from a source that is greater than me. As I sit in the silence and ponder about the wonder of our lives and the beauty of this great universe, I am in awe at the words and ideas that flow through me, a simple, ordinary being, who is continuing to learn about things of the Spirit, when I take a second and third look at these gifts that come through me. These gifts are for me and for you, and so I offer them at the various alters of humanity, with the intention that all may share in the joy