There is a sacred rhythm to the human experience, a pulse that beats between the highs of profound connection and the quiet, often heavy, echoes of loss. As we navigate the intricate landscapes of our hearts, we often find ourselves searching for a language that can hold the weight of our grief while simultaneously fanning the flames of our resilience.
In the Soul Scribbled Universe, we believe that words are not just marks on a page; they are transformative vessels designed to carry us through the storm. Poetry, in its most evocative form, acts as a gentle guide, scribbling its way into the crevices of our vulnerability and offering a sense of empowerment. Whether you are mourning a love that has transitioned into a memory or seeking the strength to begin a new chapter, these fifteen poems serve as an invitation to feel deeply, heal authentically, and emerge with a heart that is both tender and unyielding.
1. Between Echoes and Ashes by Brandi Jenkins
We begin our journey within the pages of our own heart. Between Echoes and Ashes is more than a collection; it is a pilgrimage through the stages of womanhood. This title poem captures the essence of moving through life’s fires. It reminds us that while the "ashes" of past versions of ourselves may feel like an end, they are actually the fertile soil from which our most resilient selves grow. It is a celebratory stance on the power of transformation.
2. Funeral Blues by W.H. Auden
Sometimes, building resilience requires us first to acknowledge the sheer magnitude of our loss. Auden’s "Funeral Blues" is a raw, unapologetic scream into the void. By demanding that the world stop: to "silence the pianos" and "muffle the drums": the poem validates the feeling that our personal world has ended. There is a strange healing in seeing your own devastation mirrored so accurately; it tells the soul, I see you, and your pain is real.
3. Whispers of the Wild by Brandi Jenkins
Nature has always been the ultimate curator of healing. In Whispers of the Wild, the title poem invites you to step away from the noise of your grief and listen to the quiet strength of the earth. Just as the mountains stand firm against the wind, your spirit possesses a quiet power that remains even when the seasons of your life change. This collection is a companion for those who find their essence reflected in the untamed beauty of the world.
4. Separation by W.S. Merwin
"Your absence has gone through me / Like thread through a needle." These three short lines by Merwin are a masterclass in evocative simplicity. Loss is not a separate event; it becomes the very thread that stitches our daily lives together. To build resilience, we must learn to wear this new tapestry with grace, acknowledging that while the color of our life has changed, the fabric remains strong.
5. The Guest House by Rumi
Rumi’s timeless wisdom treats the heart as an ancient inn. Every emotion: be it joy, depression, or meanness: is a "temporary visitor." By welcoming "the crowd of sorrows" that "violently sweep your house empty of its furniture," we practice the art of transformative acceptance. This poem teaches us that even the darkest visitors may be "clearing you out for some new delight."
6. Still I Rise by Maya Angelou
Resilience is a rhythmic, lyrical defiance. Maya Angelou’s "Still I Rise" is an anthem of empowerment. While it speaks to the broader experience of overcoming oppression, it resonates deeply with anyone rebuilding their identity after the loss of a relationship or a dream. It reminds us that our essence is like air: no matter how hard someone tries to step on us, we have the inherent power to rise.
7. In Blackwater Woods by Mary Oliver
Mary Oliver, a true sister of the wild, gives us a roadmap for the ultimate challenge: "to love what is mortal; / to hold it / against your bones knowing / your own life depends on it; / and, when the time comes to let it go, / to let it go." This poem is a nurturing reminder that the beauty of life is found in its impermanence. To build resilience, we must learn the holy art of the release.
8. Whispers Across the Veil by Brandi Jenkins
In the realm of gothic romance and time-slip narratives, we often explore love that defies the boundaries of death. Whispers Across the Veil explores the "echoes" of a connection that lingers across lifetimes. This poem (and the story it inspires) suggests that love is an energy that cannot be destroyed, only transformed. It offers a sense of comfort to those who feel their beloved is just on the other side of a thin, shimmering curtain.
9. ‘Hope’ is the thing with feathers by Emily Dickinson
Dickinson’s personification of hope as a bird that "perches in the soul" is a gentle anchor. It "sings the tune without the words: / and never stops: at all." When loss leaves us speechless, this poem reminds us that there is a part of our essence that continues to sing in the background, a small, persistent flicker of light that requires no fuel but our own survival.
10. Kindness by Naomi Shihab Nye
"Before you know what kindness really is / you must lose things." This poem is a profound exploration of how sorrow deepens our capacity for love. It positions loss not as a void, but as a expansion. To be truly resilient is to allow our heartbreak to turn into a bridge of empathy toward others. It is the moment our personal "ashes" become the "essence" of our communal connection.
11. Talking to Grief by Denise Levertov
Levertov invites us to treat our grief like a stray dog that has followed us home. Instead of trying to banish it, she suggests we give it a place to sleep. By acknowledging grief as a companion rather than an enemy, we reduce its power to overwhelm us. This is the "soul scribbling" way: finding a place for every shadow in our internal sanctuary.
12. One Art by Elizabeth Bishop
"The art of losing isn’t hard to master." Bishop’s villanelle starts with small losses: keys, a mother’s watch: and builds toward the loss of a beloved "you." The repetitive structure of the poem mirrors the way we try to convince ourselves of our own strength. The final "Write it!" is a cry for empowerment, a reminder that we can document our survival even when our heart is breaking.
13. Wild Geese by Mary Oliver
"You do not have to be good. / You do not have to walk on your knees / for a hundred miles through the desert, repenting." For those of us who feel we must "perform" our healing or be "perfectly resilient," Oliver offers a soft place to land. She reminds us that we belong to the "family of things." Simply existing, breathing, and noticing the "harsh and exciting" world is enough.
14. Vestiges of Truth by Brandi Jenkins
Drawing from the rugged themes of our historical Western tales, "Vestiges of Truth" explores the resilience of the human spirit in the face of injustice and lost heritage. It speaks to the "quiet strength" required to seek redemption when everything you once knew has been taken. It is a poem for those who are rebuilding their lives from the ground up.
15. The Window by Rumi
We close our list with a brief, shimmering truth from Rumi: "Your body is away from me / but there is a window open / from my heart to yours." This is the ultimate comfort for the grieving heart. It suggests that while the physical "echoes" may fade, the soul-to-soul connection remains accessible.
Cultivating Your Internal Sanctuary
Building resilience is not about "getting over" a loss; it is about expanding your soul to hold the loss alongside your joy. It is about becoming the curator of your own healing journey. Whether you are browsing our Poem of the Week archives or curling up with a gothic romance, remember that every word you read is a step toward a more empowered version of yourself.
We invite you to slow down, breathe in the essence of these verses, and allow the "Soul Scribbled" magic to linger. Your heart is a landscape of incredible strength, and we are honored to be the gentle guides on your journey through the wild and the wonderful.
Are you ready to awaken your heart and transform your soul? Step into a world where words weave wonders and every story is a sanctuary. Visit www.brandijenkins.com to explore The Soul Scribbled Universe and discover the poetry and prose that will linger in your spirit long after the final page is turned.
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