Line Gauthier Poet Free verse

Notes About The Poem

Listen to poem:

Healing Power of the Drum

your labored breathing
called out to me
and in my soul I knew
what needed to be done

I reached for the drum
to summon the spirits
called out to ancestors
and anyone who’d listen

gently tapping to the rhythm
of our beating hearts
united as one in a prayer
released to the universe

filled the silence of
your labored breathing
drumming for hours
till the pleading was done

everything had been said
the prayer consummated
left in the hands
of the universe to respond

then it did in no uncertain terms
in an exorcism of sorts
draining the passages
to free your breathing

and so it was
in tune with the universe
the healing power
of the drum



Read on air by invitation  ~  February 11, 2021  'LATE NIGHT POETS'

Read on KPBX called Poetry Moment by Kara Bowman 2022 [karabowman.com and griefpoetry.com]

AP: 2nd place 2026, 2nd place 2022, 2nd place 2021, 3rd place 2022, Honorable Mention 2022, Honorable Mention 2022, Honorable Mention 2021, Honorable Mention 2021, Honorable Mention 2021, Honorable Mention 2021, Honorable Mention 2021

Submitted on June 13, 2025 for contest YOUR BEST AUDIO POEM sponsored by TOM WOODY  -  RANKED 2ND

and on  May 28, 2021 for contest ALL YOURS (MAY 29) sponsored by BRIAN STRAND  -  RANKED 1ST

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Ink Empress June 27, 2025 at 2:03 AM This is so soothing and calming, i can literally listen to this to sleep! You are amazing! Beautifully done and delivered dear line. Congratulations on your top win! Sending you light! Oh and its a fave for me!! Ill listen to this again later for sure Line Gauthier June 27, 2025 at 4:36 AM Thanks for your lovely comment, so glad it resonated with you ~

Crystol Woods June 19, 2025 at 8:14 AM This was very special to hear... the tension you built and relaxed and resolved was just right with your message. Congratulations! Xo Line Gauthier June 20, 2025 at 9:09 PM Thank you so much, Crystol ~

thriveni c mysore June 19, 2025 at 6:11 AM Congratulations on your win dear poet. Enthralling voice! amazing. Healing power too! Cheers!!! Line Gauthier June 19, 2025 at 7:05 AM Thank you very much ~ most appreciated.

Krish Radhakrishna June 18, 2025 at 10:28 PM Brilliant! Your voice, the drums create the atmosphere into which we walk in to share your feelings! Excellent! Congrats on your win! Line Gauthier June 19, 2025 at 5:26 AM Thank you very much, Krish ~ most appreciated

I Am Anaya June 18, 2025 at 5:26 PM Most appealing voice for recital Line, love drum beat too. Congratulations on your win! Line Gauthier June 19, 2025 at 5:26 AM Thank you very much, Anaya ~ most appreciated

Karen Jones June 18, 2025 at 4:34 PM Powerful! Congrats on your win! Line Gauthier June 19, 2025 at 5:26 AM Thanks Karen ~ have a lovely day

Kurt Philip Behm January 28, 2024 at 9:24 PM Very nice. Line Gauthier September 15, 2024 at 6:32 PM Thank you so much, Kurt ~

James Marshall Goff November 27, 2021 at 5:20 AM Goodness...saw 'unseeking's' mention of this poem, and came here...my dad passed 15 yrs ago in his and mom's apt with at home hospice... promised him I'd look out for ma... she's 92, independent at home, frail, but I'm her pca thru the state, to mine faves... Line Gauthier November 28, 2021 at 5:52 AM It is a true privilege to help someone pass ~ though not easy, of course.

Michelo Mweetwa October 21, 2021 at 1:54 AM This beautiful and special! Line Gauthier October 21, 2021 at 6:30 PM Thank you very much, Michelo ~

Karen Jones October 17, 2021 at 1:55 AM What a great poem. Love it! Line Gauthier October 17, 2021 at 6:42 AM Thank you very much, Karen ~

Connie Marcum Wong September 2, 2021 at 2:04 AM Your voice and words are so lovely along with the drumming. It is comforting to heart and soul Line. Thank you. I am saving this to my Faves. Blessings xxoo Line Gauthier September 2, 2021 at 7:33 AM Thank you so much for your compliment, Connie ~ most appreciated

White Wolf June 17, 2021 at 12:57 PM I had to return and listen again. I love the flow as the drum speeds up then slows down etc. just like a heartbeat. This is truly a magical piece of wisdom and poetry mixed in one Line Gauthier September 2, 2021 at 7:36 AM Thank you for the most lovely compliment, White Wolf ~ much appreciated

Andrea Dietrich June 14, 2021 at 1:59 PM wow, this is utterly amazing, Line. so sorry I am only hearing it now. I can't believe how beautiful your voice is telling this beautiful message of healing. the sound of the drum makes it all the more special. A FAVE Line Gauthier June 14, 2021 at 3:45 PM Thank you so much, Andrea. Most appreciated ~

Smita Kulkarni June 14, 2021 at 11:43 AM Very powerful! Just heard your sunrise meditation too. Sound of beating drums is very powerful in my experience too. This brought back nostalgic memories of growing up in India when my siblings and I would accompany our parents to go to a temple once a year where they did a particular kind of loud drumming. Nice job Line! Line Gauthier June 14, 2021 at 11:59 AM Thank you for your lovely visit and comment, Smita ~

Gary Radice June 2, 2021 at 12:01 AM This is wonderful Line. I have to add that your voice is beautifully suited to reading poetry. Congratulations on the radio invite. Cheers - Gary Line Gauthier June 2, 2021 at 5:19 AM Thank you very much, Gary. Most appreciated.

Jeanne Mcgee June 1, 2021 at 9:21 PM This is wonderful Line...how cool it was read on the Late Night Poets...I've got to get back into listening again...Congrats on all your placements. ...and so it was, in tune with the universe! Line Gauthier June 2, 2021 at 5:20 AM Thanks for your visit and comment, Jeanne. Much appreciated. Good luck with all your endeavors.

Gregory Richard Barden June 1, 2021 at 2:29 PM This is wonderful, Line ... I am into physics, and there is a theory now that has emerged from the study of sub-atomic particles and the search for the "God" particle or the theory of everything, called "string theory" - I'm over-simplifying a great deal, but I believe the Universe has a rhythm - a pulse, if you will, that joins all things and all forces, (including the one force that transcends time - love), and string theory supports it. Your poem brought me right to it, in multiples - superb! Line Gauthier June 1, 2021 at 4:11 PM Awesome ~ thank you, Gregory

Gershon Wolf May 31, 2021 at 8:41 AM Young lady, the healing powers of the drum are as good as advertised. All my maladies have disappeared. Now my spirit is freed up to roam the universe of Light and Illumination. Thank you, Line! Line Gauthier May 31, 2021 at 9:01 AM I didn't realize it would be quite that effective on you, Gershon. LOL

Unseeking Seeker May 30, 2021 at 8:23 PM A favourite for me as well! Line Gauthier May 30, 2021 at 10:06 PM Thank you so much for the lovely compliment ~

Susan Ashley May 30, 2021 at 6:22 PM Dear Line, this is a masterwork. Your poem and drums are a potent and hypnotic blend of physical, emotional and spiritual forces. The atmosphere created is textured, dynamic, beautiful, intimate, visceral and bewitching. Enchantment spills from your pen, rich in depth and enthralling artistry. Your voice captures the heart and your drumming stirs the soul. I love this, a Fav!! Warmest wishes and hugs, sweet lady.. ~Susan Line Gauthier May 30, 2021 at 10:07 PM Thank you so much, Susan. What a lovely thing to say ~

Sotto Poet May 30, 2021 at 3:14 PM Back again to say congratulations, Line, you deserve every win for such a wonderful write and drumming too. Best regards and blessings Line Gauthier May 30, 2021 at 10:07 PM Thank you so much, Lasaad. Much appreciated ~

Christuraj Alex May 30, 2021 at 12:27 PM Powerful Drum. Congratulations! Line Gauthier May 30, 2021 at 10:06 PM thank you ~

Meru Groen May 30, 2021 at 8:20 AM Line, will you drum for me when it's my time? Love the poem, as well! Meru. Line Gauthier May 30, 2021 at 8:58 AM O Meru, I would. It would be an honor. Line xx

JC Brul May 30, 2021 at 7:23 AM I am speechless dear Line! Your rendition is so hypnotic! I like the way you repeat “drumming, drumming, drumming for hours”. So therapeutic! I listened twice and would want to listen again and again! A fav for me! Line Gauthier May 30, 2021 at 9:02 AM Thank you so much for your lovely comment, JCB. I am touched.

Suzanne Delaney May 30, 2021 at 2:53 AM Beautifully timed and narrated, Line: I can see how the rhythm of the drum and your words would center and focus the soul for healing. You are mastering so much with adding pictures and sound. Thanks for your devotion to this art. Hugs, SuZ Line Gauthier May 30, 2021 at 9:03 AM Thank you for your lovely visit and comment, SuZ. Most appreciated ~

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