Find inside of you a maze
As strong as it can be
It’s quite a strange mysterious Place
For it’s a part of thee.
When painting a space for rest
And finding your beginning tree
First weave out of splintered leaves a nest
For your sacred Place to be.
Just take a breath and blow it out
Into the clearest jar;
Hang it above the broken spout
To become your dearest star.
Now when you are torn and bleeding
Run out into the Night
And you’ll find the Star is leading
To your Place inside the Light.
Sometimes it is hard to remember that there is such a thing as peace, especially in a culture where everything is designed to distract.
In the constant whirl of color and noise that is life, it is easy to be swept up and lost in the tide.
Twice I have been completely lost in that tide. I still walk around and do my daily life, but I am not really there. I am not really anywhere. Tears refuse to come to my eyes; laughter seems hollow and insincere; something terrible happens and I turn my head the other way, unable to take it in.
This terrible combination of static and lethargy is hard to shove away and break free of. This is when it seems impossible, in the midst of detached chaos, that something as simple and beautiful as peace exists. It seems a far away as the stars.
Both of these times, the only reason I pulled free was because of my Place. The Place where tears can run freely and comfortingly down my cheeks. It is where my laughter can ring clearly among the bird calls and my voice may speak all the things I yearn to say. The Place is in my mind and in my heart, somewhere to rest my tired soul. It is my anchor in the vast ocean of the world. Sometimes I will see the Place in the smile of a friend or the eyes of a young child, and my heart will smile.
The Place is where I am free to be exactly who I am.
Hannah Wilder is a 14 year old eighth grade student in Oregon. She recently moved with her parents and two brothers from Phoenix, Az. She has a passion for justice and also enjoys art, reading, and writing. Her mom, Joanna Wilder, has been following and writing for Red Tent Living the past couple of years and attended the Brave On gathering in September. After hearing how her mom has explored her story and found more of her voice through Red Tent Living Hannah decided that she would like to write for Red Tent as well and start to find her place in all of this.
This is very inspiring. You have an incredible set of gifts. I’m glad that you attended Brave On, and are now using your voice. Welcome!
Thank you Natasha! I am glad that my writing inspired you and I am so happy to have been welcomed in to this group.
~Hannah
Hannah,
Thank you! Thank you bringing your beautiful 14 year old self, heart, and words to this space. May you never lose your creativity and wisdom, and may your place always offer you rest. I love that you shared poetry and a page from your sketch book as both of those things resonated so deeply with a young place in 47 year old me. Those are my places of rest, lately, though my spiral bound book is a mixed media art journal. Keep writing and drawing and sharing. You have much to offer!
You give me encouragement. My sketchbook and poetry are very dear to my heart and I am glad that these things bring some sort of peace to others. I will try to keep sharing my heart for the more I share the more I can take in.
~Hannah
Hannah thank you for your beautiful poem. Your poem touches my heart. It speaks of love, courage, vulnerability and strength. I appreciate your comments. Yes, we need places in our lives to become grounded once again to remind us of our purpose in life.
Poetry is a beautiful form of art that is a truly wonderful experience to write. I am glad that you find as much in my poem as I do.
~Hannah
Hannah, I used to have a large armchair in my parents’ living room, tucked away behind tall moving boxes that was my Place during a season of upheaval and disappointment. Thank you for reminding me of it, and for having the courage to share your heart here. Much love to you dear girl!
Our places are dear to our hearts. I am glad that by sharing I reminded you of yours. Thank you for telling me this because it was my first time ever sharing and I didn’t know how others would respond.
~Hannah
Hannah, Thank you for sharing your words, you art, and your heart with us. I loved your poem! One part said:
“Just take a breath and blow it out
Into the clearest jar;
Hang it above the broken spout
To become your dearest star.”
This was a beautiful word picture. Of the still small voice in us that wants to lead and guide us like a star if we look and listen. Thank you for your honesty, vulnerability, creativity, and fresh voice. Please keep writing! I loved it.
Keep writing, Hannah! Your poetry is stunning💕MJ