Writing Contest Information
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Second Place Poetry - Samadhi Whitehouse
This poem, Forty-eight Before Fifty, is a walking lesson in learning to trust and live in the moment.
Forty-eight Before Fifty
by Samadhi Whitehouse
Eyes looking ahead at the journey, I quickly bow my head
Look “souly” at my footsteps—remember, the objective of the journey is one step at a time
Trust. Trust in each step—in this one moment
Thoughts begin to swirl within, as I keep my head bowed
“Did I miss a turn?” “Have I gone too far?”
How well trained is the mind, to so swiftly careen through negativity and fear
Enjoy the journey. Take each step knowing you will arrive at your heart centre
A curve soon appears, my thoughts ever mindful
Trust. Trust in each step—in this one moment
Quickly fast-forwarding through my past—before the next curve
I see how many times I have stumbled off the path
A moment’s panic interrupts my journey, as I get caught up in the future
Promises. Resolutions—on the threshold of a half-century of life
Enjoy the journey. Take each step knowing you will arrive at your heart centre
A rush of calmness encircles me
There are no paths outside of this one—in this moment—leading me directly to my destiny
Each step brings me closer—now is the time to live my passion
Promises. Resolutions. I quickly bow my head
Suddenly, I arrive—in the inner circle
Trust. Trust in each step—in this one moment
Standing quietly, I feel cocooned within her circle
Forty-eight hours before beginning my fiftieth year of life
So young in spirit, with a burning desire to never stifle the child within Enjoy the journey. Take each step knowing you will arrive at your heart centre
I trusted my footsteps. I knew they would always take me home—I quickly bow my head
Look “souly” at my footsteps—remember, the objective of the journey is one step at a time
Trust. Trust in each step—in this one moment
I have walked the labyrinth. I have reached her centre
I have arrived at my heart’s destination
Copyright 2006, Samadhi Whitehouse
Biography
Edna now goes by her nickname, Samadhi—which means “Being one with the Divine and being in the moment.” Each time she hears Samadhi, it reminds her that she is part of love—a continuous affirmation.
Samadhi began her writing career by winning two contests; the first with the magazine Focus On Women. Her essay, “Two Hearts In One,” spoke of her healing journey through her first heart surgery and the correlation of illness and forgiveness. Her second essay, “A Gut Reaction,” for the on-line magazine, Outback, showed the risks as well as the fun of exotic travel abroad.
At the age of forty-eight, Samadhi decided it was time to dive into her passion and give full-time writing a chance. The outcome is Circles in the Sand. Her writing goals include three future non-fiction books, Separated at Birth, Three-Heart-Harmony, and Where Have All the Children Gone? Poetry and short stories are new to Samadhi, allowing her to encapsulate emotions within a smaller frame.
After years of travel, including visiting, living, and/or working in Europe, Lebanon, Syria, Israel, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, India, Egypt, Oman, the United Arab Emirates, and Thailand, Samadhi now lives on Vancouver Island—surrounded by the ocean and its life force.
Samadhi learned about labyrinths through a friend whom she helped find peace in the journey toward her death. This enhanced her own spiritual understanding of labyrinths, making them an analogy of life’s journeys.
To learn more about Samadhi and her writing, visit the Samadhi Whitehouse Website.