Poetry for the Soul: “Mining for Diamonds” by Danna Faulds (2003)
Photo by Doz Gabrial on Unsplash
I used to be convinced
that if i could shrink
myself smaller than
a pin, smaller than a
mustard seed or comma,
if I could crawl inside
my head like a microbic
coal miner, the canary
would be dead within a
minute. Doesn't it feel
like that? Shine a flash-
light on this mess, and I'll
find out just how slimy,
worthless, and fundamentally
mistaken I really am.
But just the opposite is true.
The more illumination I
bring in, the more I see, the
more caved-in passageways
I excavate -
The more the canary sings
in ecstasy. And the
miner, light reflecting on
wide veins of diamonds -
the miner just stumbled
into paradise.
A brief musing from Anny: "Mining for Diamonds" by Danna Faulds resonates deeply with its exploration of self-discovery and self-compassion. At first, the poem evokes the familiar sensation of shrinking, of wanting to escape the weight of perceived flaws. The metaphor of a microscopic coal miner inside one's mind vividly portrays the fear of confronting one's inner demons, a feeling we've all grappled with.
As the poem unfolds, it beautifully captures the transformative power of self-compassion. The act of shining a light into the depths of our consciousness leads to a profound realization: what we once viewed as slimy and worthless within us contains hidden brilliance. The image of the canary singing in ecstasy signifies the emergence of inner joy, a testament to the healing power of self-acceptance. The miner stumbling upon wide veins of diamonds symbolizes the awe-inspiring beauty and potential within ourselves.
This poem moved me deeply by reminding me of the importance of self-compassion in our personal journeys. It speaks to the profound shift that occurs when we dare to explore our inner world with kindness and understanding, unearthing our innate worth and the treasures hidden within our vulnerabilities. It is a powerful testament to the transformative potential of embracing our internal parts and rediscovering Self.
