Sun Kissed Days

Sun Kissed Days

Tuesday, March 19, 2013

Stories



Sunflowers in my window,
stretching to the honey colored
sun streaming in.
Mama told me to surround myself
with beautiful things.
I collect stories from strangers,
they look into my eyes 
and open their hearts.
I find beauty in them
like broken seashells washed ashore ,
like weeds I believed to be flowers,
when I was a little girl.
I collect stories of beautiful souls,
pain and sorrow.
Sober by truth and inspiration,
I find grace,
I find gratitude. 



Please meet us here http://dversepoets.com/ where we share our thoughts and our hearts.
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92 comments:

  1. Optimistic ExistentialistMarch 19, 2013 at 11:28 AM

    Ayala this is beautiful. Truly. Finding beauty in the story of strangers...

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  2. AdrienneMarch 19, 2013 at 11:31 AM

    Isn't that a gift and a blessing!! To really hear. To look into the face of the teller and know you're receiving a morsel of wonderful. There is so much life in these words!

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    Replies
    1. ayalaMarch 22, 2013 at 9:56 AM

      It is a blessing, I feel privileged when someone opens their heart to me.

      Delete
    2. ayalaMarch 22, 2013 at 9:57 AM

      And thank you, Adrienne. :)

      Delete
  3. Rudri Bhatt Patel @ Being RudriMarch 19, 2013 at 11:37 AM

    Ayala: Your poem resonates with me. Just a few days ago, I encountered a stranger. His story impacted me. We learn so much from unexpected places and people.

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    Replies
    1. ayalaMarch 22, 2013 at 9:57 AM

      So true, Rudri..we learn so much from others.

      Delete
  4. Pat HattMarch 19, 2013 at 11:54 AM

    Lots you can find and hear, when a strangers story comes near, nicely done.

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  5. BelindaMarch 19, 2013 at 12:21 PM

    This is how we all hope our stories would be received -- with grace and gratitude. A lovely sentiment, my friend.

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    Replies
    1. ayalaMarch 22, 2013 at 9:59 AM

      Thank you, dear friend. Seeing you here made my day. Looking forward to reading more about your travels..truly inspiring.

      Delete
  6. AnonymousMarch 19, 2013 at 12:29 PM

    Ayala this is truly lovely. What an open heart you have.

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  7. steveroniMarch 19, 2013 at 1:25 PM

    Those weeds WERE flowers when you were a little girl. Same as for me today, a vomit-smelling, feet-stinking, drunken slob is a picture of a sliver of hope, God's gift for me this day! And so begins another journey into the unknown/yet known.

    (No, I did not "catch one" today--grin!)

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  8. Brian MillerMarch 19, 2013 at 1:38 PM

    i collect stories from strangers...ah, you spoke my heart right there....they are beautiful things to be treasured for sure...i like nothing more than to hear someones story...love that line in the sober truth finding your own grace as well....very nice...

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    1. ayalaMarch 22, 2013 at 10:01 AM

      Thank you, Brian. You are another soul that collects stories and you capture them beautifully in your words. :)

      Delete
  9. ClaudiaMarch 19, 2013 at 1:51 PM

    collecting stories from strangers...how cool is that...there's much beauty in the stories of other people's lives in how they touch our owns as well

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    Replies
    1. ayalaMarch 22, 2013 at 10:02 AM

      So much beauty, and pain as well...many times it puts life in perspective.

      Delete
  10. AnonymousMarch 19, 2013 at 2:38 PM

    What a lovely soul you have, Ayala...collecting stories from strangers...seeing weeds as flowers...I always look forward to your posts. Just beautiful!

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  11. TALONMarch 19, 2013 at 3:26 PM

    Can you hear my sigh, ayala? It's one of pure pleasure...this was gorgeous!

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    Replies
    1. ayalaMarch 22, 2013 at 10:03 AM

      Thank you so much. Happy you enjoyed it. :)

      Delete
  12. mrs mediocrityMarch 19, 2013 at 3:36 PM

    This just wrapped itself around me in a warm hug of sunshine... just beautiful.

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    Replies
    1. ayalaMarch 22, 2013 at 10:03 AM

      A warm hug of sunshine :) Thank you so much, Kelly :)

      Delete
  13. WolfsrosebudMarch 19, 2013 at 4:20 PM

    love so the beauty you've found in life

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  14. anthonynorthMarch 19, 2013 at 4:51 PM

    Enrichment, for good or bad, from others. Great words.

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  15. flaubertMarch 19, 2013 at 6:07 PM

    I love the bit about collecting stories from strangers, Ayala. Lovely poem.

    Pamela

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  16. TruedessaMarch 19, 2013 at 6:26 PM

    Lovely and I really liked this part the best, poems are stories and they can be felt..

    "I collect stories from strangers,
    they look into my eyes
    and open their hearts"

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  17. AnonymousMarch 19, 2013 at 6:34 PM

    I have spent [some may say wasted] many a day just watching peopless lives unfold around me. Its fascinating just getting a glimpse of someones life.
    So I connect and have empathy with this piece, but I could never put it as beautifully as you have here.

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    Replies
    1. ayalaMarch 22, 2013 at 10:05 AM

      How kind of you to say, Thank you Tino. :)

      Delete
  18. GraceMarch 19, 2013 at 6:35 PM

    Love the message here Ayala ~ Even in broken seashells, there are stories worth telling and sharing ~ Have a happy day ~

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    Replies
    1. ayalaMarch 22, 2013 at 10:10 AM

      Thank you, Grace. We all have a story....some are willing to share it.

      Delete
  19. henry clemmonsMarch 19, 2013 at 7:22 PM

    I wish you had a like very much button. What a sweet kool voice and delivery of line and message. Your images were very real, and your heart looking at weeds as flowers. Very refreshing.

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  20. Jennifer WagnerMarch 19, 2013 at 7:27 PM

    Lovely...a beautiful way to live!

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  21. AnonymousMarch 19, 2013 at 8:02 PM

    What a beautiful collector you are...lovely, lovely, lovely! :)

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  22. AnonymousMarch 19, 2013 at 8:55 PM

    A beautiful witness to the world.

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  23. MaryMarch 19, 2013 at 10:03 PM

    I love collecting stories of beautiful souls! There is no more wonderful collection.

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  24. SemaphoreMarch 19, 2013 at 10:12 PM

    The line "weeds I believed to be flowers" presents such a poignant image that it anchors the rest of the poem for me. It's a strong metaphor for those stories from strangers, an uncertain reality and marred beauty, like broken seashells.

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    Replies
    1. ayalaMarch 22, 2013 at 10:12 AM

      Thank you, Sam. Broken strangers..like broken seashells and dreams. I think we are all broken one way or another. :)

      Delete
  25. Ginny BrannanMarch 20, 2013 at 12:15 AM

    "I collect stories of beautiful souls,
    pain and sorrow.
    Sober by truth and inspiration,
    I find grace,
    I find gratitude."

    I loved these words. It reminds me of the elderly I work with, some of whom have inspired my writing. There are so many amazing stories to be heard. This is a lovely capture.

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    Replies
    1. ayalaMarch 22, 2013 at 10:13 AM

      Thank you, Ginny. I know in your work you encounter beautiful souls and it's wonderful that they inspire you to write your beautiful poetry.

      Delete
  26. Sadia KhanMarch 20, 2013 at 1:10 AM

    Gorgeous lines...n surely stories of others touch our heart when we are open and ready to embrace the truth of life...nicely said :)

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  27. kelvin s.m.March 20, 2013 at 4:11 AM

    ...surround yourself with nothing but only beauty... that's indeed a wonderful wisdom to live by from your mother Ayala... and i can feel it here being in effect as beautifully expressed in words here... i always love the positive vibe you provide us in each of your poems.... smiles...

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    Replies
    1. ayalaMarch 22, 2013 at 10:14 AM

      Thank you, Kelvin...and I always love your comments. :)

      Delete
  28. Beth WinterMarch 20, 2013 at 8:49 AM

    I am smiling from ear to ear. You feed a beautiful soul.

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  29. The LinnetMarch 20, 2013 at 10:37 AM

    I love the way this poem develops! beyond the first couple of lines it grabs hold of you and speeds up, taking you deeper and deeper into the caring soul of the writer. Beautiful.

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  30. joannaMarch 20, 2013 at 12:12 PM

    this is beautiful, in word and in sentiment, lady. :)

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  31. VictoriaMarch 20, 2013 at 1:51 PM

    Ayala...I love the idea of story-collecting. This is so stunning and so telling. Deep sigh.

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  32. AnonymousMarch 20, 2013 at 3:05 PM

    Collecting 'stories from strangers' - that's often the way to find grace and beauty, and be prompted to gratitude

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  33. AnonymousMarch 20, 2013 at 10:02 PM

    Such a sweet poem - very lovely attitudes. k.

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  34. BodhiroseMarch 20, 2013 at 11:58 PM

    Wise advice from that Mama. I still think that those weeds look like fine flowers... Sweet words, Ayala.

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    Replies
    1. ayalaMarch 22, 2013 at 10:17 AM

      Gayle, I still believe so too. My son knows I love them..and he gives them to me :)

      Delete
  35. Celestial DreamzMarch 21, 2013 at 12:16 AM

    your poem is as beautiful as your beautiful soul ... hope you are doing fine, dear lady. :)

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  36. StaciaMarch 21, 2013 at 8:23 AM

    Love the image of collecting beautiful weeds. Since I've become a mother, I often wonder when the weeds become unwanted, and I dread that day for my children.

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  37. Marbles in My PocketMarch 21, 2013 at 8:45 AM

    I just love the way your mind works and how you are able to articulate the thoughts into beautiful poetry. You are quite gifted!

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    Replies
    1. ayalaMarch 22, 2013 at 10:18 AM

      Thank you, Charles :) so sweet of you to say.

      Delete
  38. scotthastiepoetMarch 21, 2013 at 4:33 PM

    A spiritual as well as creative achievement I think, Ayala - I enjoyed this very much - thank you... Scott www.scotthastie.com

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  39. LeslieMarch 22, 2013 at 12:25 PM

    this poem beautifully expresses your heart...

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  40. LisaMarch 22, 2013 at 8:03 PM

    oh Ayala, how could I not come read your every poem. This is so beautiful almost perfect. I really like they took into my eyes and open their hearts, and I know how true this is with you.

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  41. UnknownMarch 23, 2013 at 7:59 AM

    Beautiful story of strangers....
    Great post!
    Wanna follow each other on bloglovin and gfc? Let me know! Kisses

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    Replies
    1. ayalaMarch 24, 2013 at 7:50 PM

      Thank you, Gabi. I will come by to visit. :)

      Delete
  42. ClaudiaMarch 23, 2013 at 8:53 AM

    wishing you a wonderful weekend as well ayala...

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  43. Other MaryMarch 23, 2013 at 11:41 AM

    Such a beautiful collection you have here! Thanks for sharing it with us.

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  44. A Cuban In LondonMarch 24, 2013 at 5:36 PM

    There's so much life and energy in your poetry! :-)

    Greetings from London.

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  45. UnknownMarch 24, 2013 at 8:15 PM

    Gorgeous... the collecting of stories appeals. I suppose I do this, too.

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  46. Gloria BakerMarch 24, 2013 at 8:34 PM

    This is really nice!

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  47. adhi dasMarch 25, 2013 at 8:50 AM

    pray u be surrounded by beautiful things so that u pen beautiful poems for us readers springing from ur beautiful mind to give us beautiful smiles..Ayala u really have a beautiful Soul..GOD<3U

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  48. AnonymousMarch 26, 2013 at 4:14 PM

    this is so uplifting and inspirational. thanks for sharing the sunlight of your words Ayala~

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