Cycles of Strife

CYCLES of STRIFE

We toil so hard

On this earthly plain

Trials and tests

Upon us doth rain

Bringing with it

Untold pain

 

at times I sink

to a deep dark place

not wanting,

 myself to face

wishing in some way

to leave not a trace

 

Unworthy am i

Wanting to die

Giving up

In a deep sigh

Asking why

 

As each test

Comes to an end

a moment is given

for our spirit to mend

 

we learn and grow

as through life

we go

our developing character

doth show

with each lesson

the more we know

leaving our soul aglow

reaching a new plateau

with lighter heart

towards our next test

we doth go

-Shiidon, Nur 166BE, June 2009

Tests and difficulties come and go in our lives.  Today I had a customer who was wearing an Airborne hat.  I mentioned that my father was in the Airborne and had a medical discharge.  He said he did to.  He said he was injured in battle.  I asked where.  He said Mosul.  I have known of Mosul most of my life as it has a place in Bahá'í history.  Another inspiration for this poem is the emptiness of my son Winrik's place.  I walk by his room, now empty, and find an empty place in my heart as well.  He usually would stay up all night and would go to bed just after waking me up for work.  I think of the tests that some of my friends are going through and yet through all of this there is growth.  Just as the pain in birth is the sign of a new life and the joys to come, so to does the pain of the tests we go through bring about the joys in our lives as well.  It is said that is it through tests we grow, I say bring them on.  I find myself on the cusp of a new life.  I am not sure what will be in store for me in the next few months and years but it is certain that during that time will be both joy and tears (OK, rhyming again:)   I stand with my face into the wind and feel ready for whatever is to come.