Author: Justin Farley
-
The Artist
For me to live a life void of expression means to not live at all. Yet I’ve ignored the true desire of my heart for so long it seems my craft has become rusty and dull. Thoughts used to be able to slice words through page after page. But now I find them jagged and…
-
Being Authentically You
Ralph Waldo Emerson once said, “To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment.” Not only do I think he’s right, I would argue that it’s even harder now than it was during his lifetime. No matter where we turn there are influences everywhere trying…
-
I Prefer – Poem about Loving Living in the Country
I Prefer – Poem about Country Life I prefer the pastures beyond the prairie, way back without any glimpse of home- for that’s where joy seems to find me- it’s in seclusion I feel least alone. I prefer the forest beyond the fields, where treetops shield me from the outside world, where the peaceful melodies…
-
Step 1 – Embracing Our Powerlessness
“1. We admitted we were powerless over alcohol- that our lives had become unmanageable.” (Alcoholics Anonymous) When many of us come to the first step in Alcoholics Anonymous, we seem ready and eager to accept it without too much thought. Of course I’m ready to quit, I wouldn’t be here if I wasn’t. Unmanageable…my life is…
-
Finding Meaning During Hard Times
The worst thing about mental illness is not that it cages your life, but that it cages your soul. You feel trapped, doomed to live life as a person that doesn’t feel or resemble the real “you”. More than anything else though, I think it makes it nearly impossible to find hope in your life.…
-
Poem About Falling in Love
Love’s Introduction (Goddess of the Arts) – A New Relationship Poem You whispered to me in shades of loneliness,Painted patterns of chaos upon my heart,Sparked my interest in cool, wet streaks of imagination.It’s true…I do not know you, but I know the sound your soul echos,Bouncing off the walls of the cosmos and beating within…
-
Getting Rid of Me
I called out to you, “LORD, heal me” And got no response, almost dismissing you Until I realized it wasn’t you I wanted, But the power to heal myself. I cried out to you, “LORD, save me” And yet I remained thrashing in the waters drowning, Until I realized I didn’t want to be saved-…
-
The Weary Traveler
I’ve followed you weary traveler, Followed you across the desert plains. Laughed with you in the sunshine, Cried with you in the rain. I’ve watched you walk along the barren road, Even extended a helping hand. But you insisted you had life under control Time and time again. Yet, in this stillness of silence All…
-
Faith in a World of Reason
I’ve had an unquenchable thirst for knowledge my whole life. I’ve always absorbed facts and been slow to believe anything without clear evidence. At the same time, however, there’s always been a voice inside of me calling me towards God without my permission, leaving me trying to resist it time and time again. I guess…
-
Our Biggest Failure As Artists
Some of the most asked questions of creative people are ones surrounding the creative process. Where do you get your ideas? Do you know what the finished product looks like before you start? How do I become a writer, a sculptor, a painter, etc? Any one that is an artist can attest to the fact that we have…
-
Morning Moments
In the moments of morning, just before the sun wakes to greet the day, just before the birds sing the news that it’s time to rise, I think of you and delight in the beauty of your ways- How you come to us so simply, yet not without hints of mystery, humble yet remain — wild,…
-
Wandering in the Desert
I struggle with anxiety everyday of my life. Agoraphobia and panic jail me and keep me as their prisoner many days. It is no surprise that these days leave me frustrated to the core and questioning how I’ll ever live a relatively “normal” life. I shouldn’t be like this…What’s wrong with me? Is this all I…
-
Stop Procrastinating At Work
Procrastinating has always been one of my worst character flaws. I always have the tendency to want to play now, work later. In the moment, I honestly have every intention of getting to the work; things just always take longer than I expect them to. At this point in my life, I’ve just come to…
-
Reflecting On The Journey
With all positive change comes great adversity. All too often, adversity stops us short of ever seeing the positive change that only happens by pushing through difficult times. Even when positive changes are transforming our lives, we are so focused on the discomfort that we are unable to see them. We reluctantly look forward, overwhelmed…
-
Stillness – The Mind’s Medication For Stress
No matter where we look, technology is everywhere in our culture. Not only is it everywhere, but it’s getting more and more advanced every day. That smartphone you just bought is practically out of date within a few months. There’s no doubt that technology is a great thing and offers us many opportunities that otherwise…
-
Anxiety and Letting Go of Control
I have struggled long and hard. I have wrestled with anxiety through the depths of solitude and fought back harder than I ever thought possible. But it hasn’t saved me. In fact, it’s only made my fears worse and conditioned the fact that I am bound to my condition. There are many deep questions about…
-
Sobriety – The Promise Of A New Dawn
When I first got sober, I had many misconceptions about what sobriety meant. I told myself that once I got sober I would be happy, life would get easier, my problems would get better, etc. In a nutshell, I thought that when I quit drinking I would be a completely different person and could start…
Join my newsletter to receive new poems along with reflections on nature, spirituality, and mental health (usually a few times a month). My emails are intentional and never spammy—just words to carry with you.
My Poetry Collections
ALONG THE BARREN ROAD 