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I Dream Along a Tranquil Shore
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I dream along a tranquil shore
a quiet rest between the waves
that crash upon this shore of life
to wash away all tear-stained days
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My heart seeks solace on the wings
of those who’ve braved the biggest storms
and yet have landed without harm
their souls intact and barely worn
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I listen closely to their call
and hear the notes of Love’s refrain
that I need face the tides of life
for there’s no glory without pain
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That I should close my eyes to Love
and wish for ease knowing it’s wrong
will stunt my wings so I won’t fly
and I would miss the ocean’s song.
~
Wendy ❀ 2014
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This post is born from having walked on Williams Beach
last Sunday and by some questions I had recently asked God.
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Later, after the walk,
I listened to an old interview with the author, P.D. James, on CBC radio
where she shared how having pain in her early years
probably made her a better writer.
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God gives every bird his worm,
but He does not throw it into the nest.
~ P.D. James
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P.D. James died last week at the age of 94.
She had written many mystery novels
and won numerous awards.
As I listened to her speak, my eyes welled up with tears
because she spoke of writing not just typical mysteries,
but novels that dug deep into the human heart.
She wanted her characters to have been changed in some way
by the end of the book.
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I think change is good.
Especially if it entails growth.
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Have you ever listened to an interview
and heard your own heart being expressed?
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What the detective story is about is not murder
but the restoration of order.
~ P.D. James
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To him who hides away overcomes,
I will give the right to eat from the tree of life,
which is in the paradise of God.
Revelation 2:7
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Bold Blessings ~ Wendy ❀
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Have you read an inspiring novel lately?
What did you like best about it?
Did the main characters grow?
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Thank you, Wendy; especially for the “I Dream Along a Tranquil Shore” post..!
Thank you, Jim. ❀ Blessings on your weekend.
This was filled with ease and beauty. Simply lovely, Wendy. Lovely. …..PS.Gone Girl is my latest….half way there. The Book Thief, my fave of the year so far.
Thank you, dear Heather. ❀ My daughter recently read The Book Thief. Like me, she prefers happy endings–so when she mentioned that to her online home-school teacher, the teacher asked her to write an alternative final chapter. She got a “A” on it.
Wish I would have been that good of a writer at her age. Go daughter go!
The book is now on my to-be-read list.
Wonderful, restful and inspiring. Thank you Wendy.
Thank you, Don. ❀ Visits to the ocean are always therapeutic.
Thank You for this Lovely post. I Truly Appreciate Your Inspirations 🙂 Happy Friday and Have a Fantastic Week End~
Thank you, dear Morgan. Blessings on your week. ❀ I enjoyed visiting your blog today.
Thank You for your visits Wendy 🙂 Thank you More than I can say <3
I really enjoyed this post, Wendy. I will have to check out some books by P.D. James. I just read a murder mystery by Charlaine Harris–Shakespeare’s Christmas–and am pleased that the author brought about some positive changes in her characters that serve well as encouragement to her readers. I’m sure your writing aims to do the same! Blessings to you, my writing friend! ~ Laura
Thank you, dear Laura. P.D. James loved Jane Austen. Her book: Death Comes to Pemberly is a continuation of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice. I would say she uses a literary pen to write with. I’ve just started her book: Shroud for a Nightingale.
Absolute perfection, in every way. Wow.
Thank you, dear Geraldine. ❀ Can’t beat the beach for inspiration.
There is so much wisdom in this post. I really liked this quote:
“What the detective story is about is not murder
but the restoration of order. ”
I just loved this:
“I dream along a tranquil shore
a quiet rest between the waves
that crash upon this shore of life
to wash away all tear-stained days”
It is my prayer today that I might grow from who I am to who I might be,
Blessings,
Theresa
Thank you, dear Theresa. I often need to be reminded that I’m here to grow–not get. And the more I learn, the more I see my need to keep learning. ❀
Wendy, I’m blessed by your perspective on nature and on the promises of our Heavenly Father.
Like you, I want to write novels that dig deep into the human heart. I believe our experiences with pain give us a greater sensitivity to connect with our future reader.
I recently finished The Covered Deep by Brandy Vallance. I appreciated the way her characters wrestled with their faith, but always with their face toward God.
Thank you, dear Jenni. You’ve got me curious about The Covered Deep. Love that title. I agree that the best books have the main protagonist facing the Light (at least by the end of the book).
I have a fondness for stories with a returning prodigal theme. ❀ I’m so thankful for a God that never gives up on a lost lamb (even the ones that have wallowed in the pig’s pen). Been there–done that.
Wonderfully moving, Wendy, so beautiful! <3
Thank you, dear Iris. xo Blessings on your weekend. ❀
Wendy, I wish you well, with what ever is in your heart to write about. Life works slo sea changes on all if us. If it helps, remember that sometimes character changes look worse before they get better which is why real life gets so complicated at times. Looking forward to your next posts.
So true that “character changes look worse before they get better.” I think it’s like building a house. The foundation hole needs to be dug deep before the footings can be made. And what a messy process. ❀
Beautiful as always Wendy. The photos are stunning and resonate peace.
Thank you, dear Liana. ❀ My desire is to be a peacemaker.
WOW, another powerful post Wendy. I didn’t know so much about PD James–but I relate: that if I ever finish my novel, it is about how the characters evolve and grow. God bless you today.
I remember loving your prose. I’ll be lining up for a book when it’s done. Thank you for your encouragement, dear friend. ❀
It is always sincere and heartfelt.
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Bold blessings to you, too, Wendy. Your words float effortlessly into my heart. Beautiful, thank you for sharing <3
Thank you, dear Angie. I enjoyed reading your post today (and your daughter’s post too). ❀
Aww thank you, Wendy. Devin is a gem <3 I do hope your weekend is off to a lovely start!
Companionship + Chocolate = Cozy ❀
Recipe for perfection!
Wendy, I felt comforted after reading this post. Thank You
Psalm 91:1 He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High
shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty;
Tranquility sublime.
Thank you, dear Nin. I love Psalm 91:1. ❀ Tranquil indeed.
Another stellar post, Wendy. The sea is always inspiring and clarifying! Hugs, N <3
Thank you, dear Natalie. xo The sea is moody and, yet, so loved. ❀
The sea is moody, but then so are well all at times. I love that about it too especially when its mood is the same as mine. 🙂
I love the tranquil, dream-like quality of your images.
Thank you, Charlie. ❀ My little camera is perfect for a poet.
Gosh, Wendy . . .the photos alone really minister to me and when combined with your poem, I am drawn closer to Him and to seeking Him to grow me. Thank you and God bless!
Thank you, dear Debbie. No matter the time of day or the type of weather, the sea soothes. ❀
I can’t believe how I feel when I read your poems and view your pictures. It affects me in such a wonderful way. Thank you.
Thank you, dear Laura. I really like your recent post called Evening Glow. Blessings on your weekend.
You are so welcome! And thank you. 🙂 I hope you have a wonderful weekend as well.
Wendy love your words and images and the quote from PD James about novels that dig deep into the human heart and create characters that grow and change. We connect with them and resonate with their struggles. Because humans all learn and grow, some more than others. Happy writing day to you.
Thank you, dear Kath. Your words “some more than others” made me smile. Growing is not for the faint-of-heart. A recent on-line video I watched blessed me because the big name person shared both his struggles and his successes. Yes, we resonate with others who share from the soul. Blessings on your creativity. ❀
Beautiful post Wendy both photos and poem, in which you have answered your own questions wonderfully.
It was pain that brought me to write poetry. I doubt I would have got here any other way. And I totally agree that change is good when it leads to growth. I have grown both through the changes I had to make to recover from alcoholism and the changes in my life sine my MS diagnosis and subsequent physical deterioration. I have a much deeper sense of who I am and a very intense and passionate relationship with nature. Thank you for this lovely post.. x
Thank you, dear Christine. xo Writing from a place of pathos is definitely magical. And nature draws me into a place of wonder where I’m intrigued about the One who has made such finely detailed living and breathing art. I admire your courage and growth. ❀ It’s stories like yours that inspire others to make steps toward positive change.
“She shared how having pain in her early years probably made her a better writer.” I not only think it is probable, I think it is essential. For a writer to understand suffering they must endure adversity, so they can put it into words that others can relate to. Somehow I don’t think you would sound genuine if you didn’t actually experience some sort of hardship.
Jennifer, I also think our experiences influence our words.
Without wounds, a writer cannot bleed onto the page. ❀
Like the famous Hemingway quote!
That’s exactly what I was thinking about. ❀
Super photo’s and text
Thank you, dear Marylou. ❀
The tranquil photographs of the water viewed in a quiet twilight, coupled with those beautiful sentiments, brought me great peace of soul.
Thank you, dear Mary. I always feel like I’m on a mini-vacation when I go to the beach. ❀
Beautiful, Wendy. Your pictures are beautiful, too. I haven’t been reading as much lately … mostly reading writing craft books. And praying for that next idea … path. You bless me.
Thank you, dear Shelli. It has been a season of reading writing craft books for me too (with sprinkles of fiction and memoir reading here and there).
I downloaded a sample reading of A Gift Worth Keeping… and it has been blessing me. I needed to read this and now have it on my Amazon wishlist. ❀ I’m also praying for His direction.
I’d love to read a novel by P.D. James…
I heard her read out a portion of one of her murder mysteries, and it was not for the faint of heart. It was a bit graphic; but not in a gratuitous way. She was simply showing what the poor characters had stumbled upon. I think she had a profound respect for human life. ❀
The photos instill a sense of peace. The words underline that sense of peace. Now I’m ready to go to work 🙂
Thank you, Linda. What a lovely comment.
Lovely quotes. I can’t remember when I last read PD James or a detective novel. I used to enjoy reading the detective genre. Now my connection with detective stories is usually via TV series. The one which I am enjoying at the moment is Grantchester https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grantchester_%28TV_series%29 based on the Grantchester Mysteries by James Runcie.
Grantchester looks like an intriguing series. I wish I could see it here–but first I’d need to get cable and tv. I’m afraid I’m a book person unless it’s on YouTube or DVD. 🙂
You may be able to read the books on which it is based. I do have TV but I rarely watch anything.
Watching a cozy mystery is like chocolate to me–addictive. 🙂
🙂 🙂
Another wonderful poem. This one spoke to me . I am inspired.
Thank you, dear Mollie. God’s not afraid of our questions, and we don’t need to fear His answers or His silence.