Second Sight

SECOND SIGHT

As I close my eyes at night

Another world comes to sight

T’is my world of dreams

Come to light

My dreams very

One to another

Some I remember

Some, don’t bother

From time to time I see

A dream to this world

Comes to be

Before my eyes

I see unfold

Past dreams,

Till now untold

These dreams are not

What bother me

T’is these, like tests

That come to me

A challenge comes

In my sleep

A moral quandary

I tightly keep

Will I pass, or will I fail

Each challenge

A different tale

I wake up with a start

Feeling the beating

Of my heart

If I chose, the path that’s right

That day grows ever more bright

Or when I awaken

At first sight

Everything seems alright

But if I chose to take a fall

My conscience doth my attention call

And the test that hit me

In the night

Lay before my sight

Over and again I play it out

Sometimes wanting to shout

How could I choose a course so wrong

When in my heart I know

Where I belong

To have chosen different

Is what I long

The hope that comes over me

Is that I truly know how to be

And look again to another dream

And this time may it come to pass

That the lessons learned hold fast

And build upon my soul

more prepared to that heavenly goal

-Shiidon, Rahmat 166 BE, June 2009

Regarding dreams Bahá'u'lláh states:

God, the Exalted, hath placed these signs in men, to the end that philosophers may not deny the mysteries of the life beyond nor belittle that which hath been promised them.

(Baha'u'llah, The Seven Valleys, p. 33)

There are comments in His writings regarding dreams. In particular He writes about what we call dejavu and how we dream something that ten years later comes to pass. What I wanted to write about is another kind of dream. In a conversation with my mother about dreams we spoke about dreams that put us in positions to make choices. Many a time I have awakened and thanked God that it "was only a dream." As I have grown older, and after speaking with my mother, I have come to realize that these dreams can also be looked upon as tests for our souls. I am not saying that God is testing us and seeing if we pass. What I think is that this is another way for us to be guided in this life without making the wrong choices. Another way to look at it is the flight simulator for the pilot. They are not flying but are put into situations to test their abilities and resolve. This is more along the lines of how I see these dreams.

Today I concluded the second of two sessions at the youth intensive nearby. I was asked to teach poetry to whomever was interested. There were about nine of us in the class and by the second session today there were poems being shared by the participants that were writtin since yesterday. I was amazed at the depth and ability that they manifested in their writing. It was impressive. It was nothing I did, I just gave them each a notebook and pen and said, "write." Of cousre we spoke of the mechanics, the inspiration, the purpose and method as well. One thing I emphasized is not to pervert ones talent but to use it to elevate the heart and soul of the reader. I look forward to reading their poems.