Living In-between

LIVING IN-BETWEEN

Rushing about

From place to place

Sometimes as if

To win a race

We go about our day

This way

Heading towards our goal

Focusing on the part we’ll play

Our role

Always coming

Always going

Forgetting the time

That comes between

A lost time

It would seem

Take a moment

And look around

At the others

To their goals

Are bound

In these others

you will see

How we all seem to be

Like shadows we walk about

Until our goal

We find

Then the switching on

Of our mind

We animate

And congregate

But what of

These times between

Those moments

That are lost

So it would seem

We are so intent

On where we go

That living the moment

We do not know

We look back and wonder

Where did the time go

And realize

We have little to show

As we slow down

And look around

Open our eyes

To truly see

Our surroundings

And in the moment

To be

A whole new world

Opens wide

One in which

We always did reside

Birds do sing

Flowers do grow

Life around us

With radiance

Doth glow

The divine around us

Doth show

And in the end

When we have time

To reflect

Will we have lived fully

Or do we regret

Did we our lives neglect

Or better yet

Did this time, we respect

I would like to think

When that time comes

We are all dancing

In the rays of the sun

Basking in a life

And joyously remember

Those precious moments, replete

A life well lived

A life complete

-Shiidon, February 2010

This poem came to me one day while running an errand. I was driving towards an outdoor mall to procure a book for my son when I noticed some people walking with purpose. There were five or so of them and they were not talking together or interacting thought it was clear from their gate that they were together and going somewhere with a purpose. After parking, I noticed another person heading in the same direction alone and in the same manner. It came to me that once arriving they would all come to life, like actors on stage and interact and enjoy whatever occasion was bringing them together. That was when this poem came to me. As I left the bookstore and headed between cars, I held my head up and a person coming the other way said "hi." That person was clearly living in the moment. I then thought, what if something happened and we did not reach that place we were intending to go, what if for whatever reason everything stopped for us. Did we live those precious moments to their fullest?

OK, now take it one step further. When we are young, we focus on the future we want, the job, spouse, children etc. Will we sacrifice the precious moments we have growing up to reach that dream? In my case it started slowly. I went to the opera thirteen years ago and enjoyed it tremendously. It was not until this year that I realized that I was waiting for the right time to go back to the opera. I was waiting for "someone" to go with, friend, spouse or family. I decided that it was time to live. I have now seen two of the three operas this season here in Austin and will see the third. I am going to see a classical (comic) performance in two weeks and will look at going to other events. I am not waiting to live, I want to live now. Already there are too many moments lost in time that I "could have" or "would have" done this or that. It is never too late.

The next time you are driving with your spouse somewhere, don't be that couple that is staring ahead, be animated and take that precious time and enjoy life together. If you are alone, look around (don't get into an accident :) and don't drive in "remote control." Take advantage of the friendships you have, you do not know when you will move on. Don't reflect on your children on how they where or where you want them to be. Look at them for who they are now and live that moment with them, show them that these little times in life are important as well. May we all live a life complete.

Tears of Life

TEARS OF LIFE

As a tear

Goes down my cheek

My heart

Doth faster beat

I find it

Hard to speak

Welling up

From deep within

My memories

Of others did begin

Those many souls

Before me doth spin

My example

For doing good

Are those who

Before me hath stood

Many a soul

Hath given their all

Having answered

Their call

Too many

To remember them all

When I find

Myself alone

Looking for

An elusive home

I find my peace

In the memories

That brings release

Of those dear souls

And their roles

In my life

These beings

Who bring meaning

Are both those here

And long gone by

That have influenced

My life

And will till I die

In my solitude

I reflect upon them

With reverent attitude

And joyful beatitude

I give of myself

Each and every day

To in some way

Those souls repay

The tear finally stops

Upon my hand it drops

They’re smiling at me

The ones that before me I see

And peace comes to my heart

I am ready, for another start

-Shiidon, February 2010

I am not sure where the inspiration for this poem came from but it "wanted" to come out. I was taking a break from grading and doing some web design when I was impelled to write. The phrases come out and are sometimes lost forever, sometimes I just have to stop everything and start writing. This was one of those times. I would suspect that this poem will have different meanings for each person that reads it as it does for me, the writer. The thoughts that went through my mind were those of the early believers of the Bahá'í Faith as well as others who more directly influenced me. Among those were those dedicated school teachers, friends, family, loved ones and a whole pantheon of others. Each person that comes to us brings something with them. When I rediscover a friends on Facebook, for example, I immediately start reflecting on the times I spent with that person, long term or fleeting. So, to all of you, I bow in gratitude.

Chance Meetings

CHANCE MEETINGS

Withdrawn within

Nothing do I let in

Thinking of a way out

Looking around and about

Thinking of a way to go

Before being caught up

In the surrounding show

Unbeknownst to me

A chance meeting

Doth come to be

Detaining me

For an eternity

We walk on a path

Seemingly alone

Asking for guidance

Seeking a home

Random doth life seem

Nothing like my dream

Where things are connected

Where they’re directed

Then when the pieces

together doth come

we marvel at what

life doth become

in each chance meeting

if we doth glean

the purpose, meaning

not what it doth seem

when looking back

the path is clear

though looking ahead

the unknown we

see instead

this chance meeting

that comes to be

and brings itself to me

is truly in a way

my destiny

-Shiidon, February 2010

I recently attended an event which led itself to a seemingly chance meeting. The more I spoke with this couple, the more our random lives seemed destined to cross paths. Sometimes these moments of connection seem random and sometimes they do not. In our lives we carry a pantheon of souls that we have encountered in our lives. Each one has a place in helping shape us in some way. We may or may not understand the connection at the time or we may. The meeting may be fleeting or the friendship lasting. Sometimes we think we understand the intent of the other person and sometimes we try to imprint our interpretation of the reasons for meeting. It is with hind sight that things are more clear. Day by day I have learned to just be and let things take their course. So far it is a peaceful and relaxing way to go through these turbulent days. So, customer, new friend, old friend, colleague, young, old I am a better person in knowing you and in a way am partially shaped by you.