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Healing Power of the Drum

Listen to poem:

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 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

Copyright © Line Gauthier | Year Posted 2020

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Ink Empress Date: 6/27/2025 2:03:00 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 Login to Reply Line Gauthier Date: 6/27/2025 4:36:00 AM Thanks for your lovely comment, so glad it resonated with you ~

Crystol Woods Date: 6/19/2025 8:14:00 AM This was very special to hear... the tension you built and relaxed and resolved was just right with your message. Congratulations! Xo Login to Reply Line Gauthier Date: 6/20/2025 9:09:00 PM Thank you so much, Crystol ~

thriveni c mysore Date: 6/19/2025 6:11:00 AM Congratulations on your win dear poet. Enthralling voice! amazing. Healing power too! Cheers!!! Login to Reply Line Gauthier Date: 6/19/2025 7:05:00 AM Thank you very much ~ most appreciated.

Krish Radhakrishna Date: 6/18/2025 10:28:00 PM Brilliant! Your voice, the drums create the atmosphere into which we walk in to share your feelings! Excellent! Congrats on your win! Login to Reply Line Gauthier Date: 6/19/2025 5:26:00 AM Thank you very much, Krish ~ most appreciated

I Am Anaya Date: 6/18/2025 5:26:00 PM Most appealing voice for recital Line, love drum beat too. Congratulations on your win! Login to Reply Line Gauthier Date: 6/19/2025 5:26:00 AM Thank you very much, Anaya ~ most appreciated

Karen Jones Date: 6/18/2025 4:34:00 PM Powerful! Congrats on your win! Login to Reply Line Gauthier Date: 6/19/2025 5:26:00 AM Thanks Karen ~ have a lovely day

Tom Woody Date: 6/18/2025 3:48:00 PM This had an appealing, hypnotic rhythm to it Line. I see it's gotten lots of kudos already. Congrats on high placement Login to Reply Line Gauthier Date: 6/19/2025 5:27:00 AM Thanks, Tom. This means a lot to me ~

Kurt Philip Behm Date: 1/28/2024 9:24:00 PM Very nice. Login to Reply Line Gauthier Date: 9/15/2024 6:32:00 PM Thank you so much, Kurt ~

James Marshall Goff Date: 11/27/2021 5:20:00 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... Login to Reply Line Gauthier Date: 11/28/2021 5:52:00 AM It is a true privilege to help someone pass ~ though not easy, of course.

Michelo Mweetwa Date: 10/21/2021 1:54:00 AM This beautiful and special! Login to Reply Line Gauthier Date: 10/21/2021 6:30:00 PM Thank you very much, Michelo ~

Karen Jones Date: 10/17/2021 1:55:00 AM What a great poem. Love it! Login to Reply Line Gauthier Date: 10/17/2021 6:42:00 AM Thank you very much, Karen ~

Connie Marcum Wong Date: 9/2/2021 2:04:00 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 Login to Reply Line Gauthier Date: 9/2/2021 7:33:00 AM Thank you so much for your compliment, Connie ~ most appreciated

White Wolf Date: 6/17/2021 12:57:00 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 Login to Reply Line Gauthier Date: 9/2/2021 7:36:00 AM Thank you for the most lovely compliment, White Wolf ~ much appreciated

Andrea Dietrich Date: 6/14/2021 1:59:00 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 Login to Reply Line Gauthier Date: 6/14/2021 3:45:00 PM Thank you so much, Andrea. Most appreciated ~

Smita Kulkarni Date: 6/14/2021 11:43:00 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! Login to Reply Line Gauthier Date: 6/14/2021 11:59:00 AM Thank you for your lovely visit and comment, Smita ~

Gary Radice Date: 6/2/2021 12:01:00 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 Login to Reply Line Gauthier Date: 6/2/2021 5:19:00 AM Thank you very much, Gary. Most appreciated.

Jeanne Mcgee Date: 6/1/2021 9:21:00 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! Login to Reply Line Gauthier Date: 6/2/2021 5:20:00 AM Thanks for your visit and comment, Jeanne. Much appreciated. Good luck with all your endeavors.

Gregory Richard Barden Date: 6/1/2021 2:29:00 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! Login to Reply Line Gauthier Date: 6/1/2021 4:11:00 PM Awesome ~ thank you, Gregory

Gershon Wolf Date: 5/31/2021 8:41:00 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! Login to Reply Line Gauthier Date: 5/31/2021 9:01:00 AM I didn't realize it would be quite that effective on you, Gershon. LOL

Unseeking Seeker Date: 5/30/2021 8:23:00 PM A favourite for me as well! Login to Reply Line Gauthier Date: 5/30/2021 10:06:00 PM Thank you so much for the lovely compliment ~

Susan Ashley Date: 5/30/2021 6:22:00 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 Login to Reply Line Gauthier Date: 5/30/2021 10:07:00 PM Thank you so much, Susan. What a lovely thing to say ~

Sotto Poet Date: 5/30/2021 3:14:00 PM Back again to say congratulations, Line, you deserve every win for such a wonderful write and drumming too. Best regards and blessings Login to Reply Line Gauthier Date: 5/30/2021 10:07:00 PM Thank you so much, Lasaad. Much appreciated ~

Christuraj Alex Date: 5/30/2021 12:27:00 PM Powerful Drum. Congratulations! Login to Reply Line Gauthier Date: 5/30/2021 10:06:00 PM thank you ~

Meru Groen Date: 5/30/2021 8:20:00 AM Line, will you drum for me when it's my time? Love the poem, as well! Meru. Login to Reply Line Gauthier Date: 5/30/2021 8:58:00 AM O Meru, I would. It would be an honor. Line xx

JCB Brul Date: 5/30/2021 7:23:00 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! Login to Reply Line Gauthier Date: 5/30/2021 9:02:00 AM Thank you so much for your lovely comment, JCB. I am touched.

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