“Whatever you can do, or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius, power and magic in it.” Goethe Years ago I dreamed of wandering the streets, neighborhoods, museums, and restaurants of Paris with a group of women. I wasn’t sure how it was going to happen, nor the logistics of facilitating such a venture,…
Author: Sharon Heaney Richards
SoulStroller, writer, poet, mom, wife, home chef, dual citizen and lover of books, art and travel. Many years of exploring the globe contribute to my ability to navigate and engage in the world with a sense of ease and anticipation. I am a pilgrim at heart and love to explore new landscapes, language and culture. As a former teacher (Bachelors of Education, University of British Columbia) I'm a curious learner and avid listener to both young and old.
You can also find me at SoulStrolling.com
and my first poetry book, Thresholds and Portals here: http://amzn.to/2nxRGas
now my second poetry book - if one can imagine such things https://www.amazon.com/dp/1096110229
My love affair with Paris
My love affair with Paris began in 8th grade. I had this rather odd, quirky French teacher at my high school. He was dramatic, expressive, and could hardly wait for us to ‘fall in love with French’. (And no, I did not fall in love with him). In order to demonstrate the verb, tomber (to…
Blessing of Water
This poem is in response to a prompt from the Writer’s Gathering I attend here in Seattle. We’d read through ‘Beannacht ‘(Blessing) by John O’Donahue from Echoes of Memory, and the following line stood out for me: “May the fluency of ocean be yours.” Blessing of Water “May the fluency of ocean be yours.” May…
Floating on the edge of waiting
This poem was inspired via a writing prompt at the Writer’s Gathering I attend on Monday evenings, here in Seattle. The initial prompt was to write down one word describing how you were feeling. The second was pulling an ‘angel word’ out of a cup and then using that word, along with your feeling word…
The Magic of Circling
You are a different type of threshold crossing. When I was younger shopping with my mom at the Hudson’s Bay Company you were there, welcoming me. I could hardly wait to enter your circular chamber and dance merrily about, my mom beckoning me to exit; for she was on a mission, a quest, errands to…
Ode to my Father’s Knee
You bore the weight of loss upon your body from a young age; your little knees torn and scratched from playing football on the gravel ground, bled the pain and carried the scars of your mother’s life – gone, at such a young age. Your father carried you as best he could dressing you each…
Ode to ‘The Kiss’ by Gustav Klimt
Your creator was a gifted artist Blending the richness of gold With the passion of red The dark black of night With the velvety carpet of floral green. I made your acquaintance At the Belvedere Museum in Vienna Pausing in awe At the power of your tenderness, Now knowing I would fall in love with…
Ode to Chocolate
You befriended me from the beginning Those warm, melty, fresh out of the oven Chocolate cookies that my mom made Quietly oozing and tingling on my tongue As your sweetness wound its way to my belly My first friend was you, milk chocolate I desired and longed for you Wholeheartedly embracing you In your many…
Ode to Procrastination
Aha! I see you I feel you I hear you I greet you saying Would you like to join me for a cup of tea? Perhaps a small sugary treat? I know you well We have been joined since birth And rather than dismiss you I choose this day To greet you with a fond…
Ode to a Headache
It seems a little odd to be penning an ode to you You are bothersome, annoying And linger about the front of my head I rather wish you’d be gone Yet, here you are Lingering about, making your home with me You have a pattern about you A way in which you present yourself each…
Reflections on Costa Rica
I stand at the threshold of the gate that leads from the patio of our condo in Playa Hermosa, Guanacaste, Costa Rica. I can smell the ocean: the morning fragrance of sea salt air dancing together with the warm tropical breeze and the symphony of birds chitter-chattering “Bienvenidos, Sharon.” It is early in the morning…
Ode to Paris
Thomas Jefferson wrote about you, dear friend, “A walk about Paris will provide lessons in history, beauty, and in the point of life.” And so right he was You captured and delighted my heart At the wonderful age of 21, When I stood atop your Tour Eiffel and proclaimed To the wind, ‘I shall return’…
Sharon Richards 