Shadow Dancers By Donna Bishop
Quietly I walk down long corridors where shadows dance.
Most never see the shadows, - only I.
Most never hear the symphony to which they dance, -only I.
Stepping softly into each room I peer down on sleeping faces,
waiting, - perhaps waiting to become shadows,-
for someone with a light, who hears, - who loves,-
who MOVES to the rhythms of celebrative angels,
where the 'here' and 'there' dance together.
Shadows down long corridors,
Crumpled photos in worn frames
peer through the dark, smiling in a different time.
Bronze booties with names,
A plaque that speaks of fame
in a distant past.
Footsteps in the night, healing hands
yet hands that beckon beyond and a voice whispers,
"Hear the music! Shall we dance?"
ENCOURAGEMENTBy Donna Bishop
WITHOUT THE HELP OF THE WIND
THE PRICKLY THISTLE MAY NEVER
HAVE KNOWN A NEW THING IT CAN DO,
AS IT TUMBLES JOYOUSLY, DANCING
OVER PRAIRIE FIELDS.
WILL YOU OR I BE THE BREEZES
THAT LIFT THE MUNDANE IN OTHERS
INTO THEIR NEW JOYOUS DANCE?
Copyright © 1995 Donna Bishop. Used with permission
Growing up on a Canadian prairie farm, Donna Bishop was discouraged
from writing as a child because it was deemed "frivolous".
Despite the stresses and challenges of marriage and family, she continued being a closet-poet although it wasn't until 1976 that she felt confident
enough to read her poetry to a poetry group in Burnaby. The positive response from that reading was profoundly gratifying and confirmed her belief that writing could both heal and raise one's self-esteem.
After moving to Abbotsford, Donna Bishop founded MSA Poets Potpourri Society in 1981 and has been a vital force for the group for over 20 years.
Now past 80, Donna Bishop continues writing poetry and prose and recently began to paint. She was also able to attend he 25th anniversary of the group.
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