Yoga by Nature
Poetry
Writing poetry has been a jewel that came to me in later life, one of the many fruits of mindfulness practice. When I slowed down, I found that I could tap into a reserve of creativity that was hard to access in my busy life. What began as writing in a journal lead to receiving words in the form of free verse that helped me understand myself and the world around me. I have since self-published 3 poetry pamphlets, the most recent in November 2024, entitled She Whose Body is the Earth.
Now that my children are fledging I am devoting more time and energy to my writing and I'm excited to begin a MLitt in Creative Writing at Stirling University this autumn, part-time alongside my movement work. I write about womanhood, spirituality and the natural world and my poems have been published in two anthologies by the Wee Sparrow Poetry press - Ourselves in Rivers and Oceans and Facing Goodbye.
My most recent two pamphlets, My Magpie Mind and She Whose Body is the Earth, are still available to purchase. Each copy has a hand-printed cover by friend and linocut artist Kim Sullivan. They cost £12 each plus postage.
To sample my poetry please check out my Instagram and Substack pages.
https://www.instagram.com/orlasbeaton/
https://substack.com/@orlabeaton
To order a copy please email orla.beaton@btinternet.com - thank you!
300 Years
300 years from now
How will you be, my beloved
Baby steps, gentle steps
Value each one
Your ripples of kind intention
Infuse the Earth
They deserve your appreciation
And patience
Never doubt the power
Of walking a conscious life
Of planting seeds of compassion
Growing roots of care
Adopt the pace of an Oak tree
Allow your heart to
Blossom softly
Over years, decades
Lifetimes
Testimonials...
"A real treasure of words, of courageous, clear, true words. I loved the humanness that spoke through them, the relatable struggles ... the spaces between and connections, the longing for something other, the brief blessings of being in the midst of it all... beautiful. " K. Janson
"Hi Orla, I received your little book this morning and I L-O-V-E it! You remind me of Mary Oliver style poetry but it’s clear it’s intimately yours. Thank you for sharing your deepest thoughts and observations please continue writing in this beautiful way." L. Gerletti
"I have enjoyed reading your Green Olivine poems. I almost feel I am “ with you or more deeply inside your whole being" when I read some of them- it’s strange in that it feels like me talking but I know it’s your words! There’s a deep resonance of feeling- I hope you continue to produce such lovely thought provoking words in this form." V. Oswald
“If you are lost, write. If you find yourself lost again, go back into your words until you are unlost. Your words are the most powerful sanctuary, and wisdom, you will ever find.”
Caren Gilbert