Tags
Buddhism, compassion, despair, empathy, empowerment, homeless, kindness, panhandling, unconditional love
.
.
Over the past years
we’ve sat together
sharing a blanket
on the sidewalk.
You wrapped
in your cocoon.
I’ve observed,
as your spirit
(once battered
and cowering in fear)
emerged brave
and purposeful.
Gradually,
layer after layer,
your past fell away,
until now
your true beauty
shines forth.
I’ve grown with you,
learned from you,
opened my heart,
cried with you,
been comforted.
I celebrate with you
your transformation,
and (in friendship)
proudly accompany you
in your reincarnation
as a butterfly.
.
.
Dennis Cardiff 
Reblogged this on Stop the Stigma! and commented:
A tribute to a beautiful caterpillar grown butterfly written by a man who lives the meaning of compassion and altruism.
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Thanks so much, Cheryl, for your kind words and for reblogging my post. It is much appreciated. ~ Dennis
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You are welcome, Dennis…Cheryl-Lynn
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Reblogged this on Willow's Cabin and commented:
Written by Dennis Cardiff . . . absolutely beautiful poem about witnessing transformation. Thank you so much Dennis! This poem really touched my heart and I am sure it will do the same for others!
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Thanks for reblogging my poem. It is much appreciated. ~ Dennis
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You’re welcome Dennis. Your poetic words and the story behind the inspiration brought tears to my eyes. May God bless you and your friend Joy.
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Oh WOW! Dennis… This is absolutely BEAUTIFUL! I love it! Brought tears to my eyes! Thank you so much for sharing!
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The transformation in this poem was miraculous to see. Joy, was physically and sexually abused from the age of two. At this tender age she was hoisted by chains to a beam and used as a punching bag by her father. At the age of eight he chased her with a shotgun. She was thrown out of her home at the age of fifteen for using drugs. She joined a biker gang and the violence continued through prostitution, drug addiction, stabbings to sleeping behind a dumpster. Her boyfriend is currently serving two years for beating her unconscious and leaving her in a pool of blood. Her first husband threw her down a flight of stairs causing her to break both ankles. She was raped by a guard in prison. The list goes on…
She is now living alone in her own apartment. Her life seems to be gradually coming together. She has developed more confidence, appears happier and more in control of her life, but the scars remain. ~ Dennis
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No one should ever have to endure the suffering she has faced. Thank God she is on her way to healing and thank God she has a friend like you to help her tell her story. So many people who feel the pain she has felt just give up. I am so glad she has the strength to take a step toward healing. She is an inspiration. 🙂
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I thought I was already following you, but I came to visit from Linda and I wasn’t. Odd. Love the poem and of course I love the blue butterfly~
✿ღ✿ღ.¸¸ღ♫*¨`*•..¸ƸӜƷ ✿ღ ✫❀
Namaste
Sindy
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Hi Sindy, we saw these Blue Morpho butterflies in Panama. They’re also called ‘drunken butterflies’ because they eat fermanted fruit from the rainforest floor. They wobble when they fly. Thanks for your kind words about my poem. I visit your blog often and am always pleasantly surprised. ~ Dennis
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I know you do visit Dennis, and I was certain that I followed yours. Well I do now. A drunken blue butterfly sounds like me. 😀 Just reading about the process as I need to write a review for someone and I want to say something deep. I might also link your poem. 😀
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Oh and Dennis..Thank you for often visiting!
✿ღ✿ღ.¸¸ღ♫*¨`*•..¸ƸӜƷ ✿ღ ✫❀
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Beautiful and poignant! Thank you for sharing it with us!
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You’re very welcome. Writing this poem brought me great joy. ~ Dennis
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Hi Dennis,
I reblogged this on litebeing chronicles because it so seamlessly complemented the current theme of clearing and renewal of my recent posts.
very moving , thank you!
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I agree, as you say in your blog this poem is “appropriate for my current emphasis on transformation via letting go and allowing the emergence of a ‘newer’ you.” ~ Dennis
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Wonderful Dennis,
Another piece that reaches the heart of many…you are very inspirational. mary
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Thanks, Mary, as always, for your kind words and for visiting. ~ Dennis
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Pingback: Cocoon – A Repost of Blogger Dennis Cardiff | Blog Woman!!!
Thanks for your kind words and for reblogging my poem “Cocoon”. It is much appreciated. ~ Dennis
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I also re-blogged this one Dennis. I think it will speak to many. Kinanâskomitin
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Reblogged this on Blog Woman!!! and commented:
I decided to send out a fellow blogger’s post this week. It is a post by Dennis Cardiff, a fantastic who writes regularly about his daily visits with the homeless in his city on his blog “Gotta Find A Home”.
This post is from his poetic site. It’s short beautiful poem about transformation. Although you will know he is speaking about his daily visits, I couldn’t help thinking that it speaks to a great deal of us from many paths.
I hope you enjoy it.
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Allowing transformation brings forth a magnificent light within. May this light always burn within us all…
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Beautiful words, Linda, as is your poem “A Fire Within Us”.~ Dennis
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Reblogged this on litebeing chronicles.
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Thanks for reblogging my post. It is much appreciated. ~ Dennis
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happy to do so!
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