Insight

INSIGHT

Close your eyes

And realize

That we are all

Of the same things comprised

The things that separate us,

One from another

Represent the superficial

Of which, we should not bother

What we are is

Not what is seen

Who we are

Or who we have been

What makes a difference

And brings thought

Is the strength of character

Of which we are wrought

It can’t be traded

Nor can it be bought

When we look in

Each others heart

We make a start

Seeing what strengths

Are in one another

Rejoicing in the beauty

We find in each other

If we look

With a heart that’s pure

We shall see true spirit

Of that be sure

When we see this beauty

In each other

All else falls away

And are of no bother

So my friend I will look at you

With this in mind

And hopefully you

Will return in kind

And together we will find

Our common place

To be,

We’ll see

-Shiidon August 2009

I wrote this poem on the plane ride back from California. I was reflecting on friendships. I had just seen my dear friend Payam. I had not seen him since his wedding well nigh thirty years ago. I was blessed to see his dear wife and even older friend (36 years and counting) Cindy and their dear son Aram at the occasion of my Uncles passing five years ago. I have a poem posted to Aram in a previous section. I was able to meet their son Kamran and daughter Nura on this trip. It was with ease of hearts that we all sat together with my precious family (Cousin Ramin, Brenda and their kids Anisa and Samaan) and we passed the evening away as only old friends can. Except the ease of which their children moved so quickly into a loving and deep friendship with me that seemed so natural and yet so out of place in some ways in this world. This poem was inspired by that lovely evening and for other times of meeting to come in my life and in the lives of those whom this poem resonates in some way.

I was able to find such peace on this past weeks trip that will be hard to come by again anytime soon. Already the stresses of my first day back have grabbed a hold of me and are trying to wrestle away my sense of tranquility. I will ignore it as much as possible until the time I can make my way out there again and spend time with my dear cousins, Aunt and friends.