Conversations

CONVERSATIONS

It’s been so long Since

We’ve been in touch

Catching up on events, so much

Oh how time goes by

So many years

But we’ll try

We laugh, we cry

And time doth fly

The happiness that persists

As we sit and reminisce

Knows no bounds

As the conversation

Goes round

And the radiant energy abounds

Why is it

We wait so long

Not staying in touch

Is so wrong

I begin to glimpse

The inner you

The person I knew

And so many things new

I see your smile

And within

It doth linger awhile

Of the joy it brings

There is no denial

Back and forth

The words doth flow

The conversation

Doth grow

The more of each other

Doth we know

When people share

Of each other

It strengthens

The bonds

One to the other

The fabric of humanity

Is stronger

By you and me

And of reaching beyond

We shall see

Like a web

We are all connected

Through a higher place

We are directed

And with each bond

We are all affected

One by one

It shall be done

Until the whole

Becomes one

-Shiidon, April 2010

I was speaking with a dear friend I knew in China last night. It has been ten years since we have seen each other and several years since we last spoke. It was a wonderful conversation. We miss out on these conversations and we miss out on forming these connections, or bonds, that unite us together. Person by person we connect to each other, make stronger and stronger bonds and eventually, in generations to come, we will become united as one human family. But, it starts here. One to one. The family. The community and on to the nation and the world. It is the work of generations but we are working towards that goal, voluntarily for some and not for others.

Changing State

CHANGING STATE

On the edge of a cliff

The wind is stiff

Preparing for what may be

Through the clouds bellow

I cannot see

t’is time to fall

For I have heard

The clarion call

And it doth demand my all

Below the mists, the unknown

Though soon it will be shown

We fear the changes

That our life rearranges

Even though

The outcomes sought

T’is sometimes so dearly bought

The price we and others pay

Is how we pave our way

And see a newer and greater day

So we hesitate to fall

And trust

Though t’is through His hands

Ourselves are thrust

We linger in the familiar

Fearful of what we leave

And concerned for the bereaved

But those who care

Are truly aware

Of the greater need

That calls indeed

And in their way

They let go

For they know

T’is our way to grow

So here I stand, at the edge

Fulfilling a solemn pledge

Falling forward and through the mist

The gentle urging

Doth persists

I do not resist

-Shiidon, April 2010

As this poem came to me, I found that the theme I was writing on kept being supplanted by another. I was writing primarily about changes and trusting in God's will. But the other thought that kept persisting is the one big change none of us have experienced. It is the change that occurs when we lose our physical form and our awareness returns to the eternal realm, or heaven if you will. Of course there are other ways to interpret a poem, these so happen to be what was in my mind when I wrote this particular poem.

Peaceful Heart

PEACEFUL HEART

Sitting beneath the tree

Taking a moment

To watch the sea

The breeze wafts over me

This is where I want to be

The birds sing with glee

As they dance

Above me

Sorrows and troubles

Have no home

In this garden

Where I now roam

The water flows

Down the mountain

Seeking its home

The lower fountain

The smell of flowers

Fills the air

Taking away

My every care

The spirit is lifted

As consciousness drifted

Towards the ethereal

It hath shifted

I commune here

As I shed

A joyful tear

Not caring what will come

Or in the future

What I’ll become

For in this place

A spiritual embrace

Causing the heart and soul

To race

I close my eyes

And freeze time

Soaking in

The sublime

In the future

I will return

In minds eye

To here I’ll turn

-Shiidon, April 2010

I was thinking about the beautiful weather today and it reminded me of my Pilgrimage in 2006. In particular, my thoughts turned towards the terraces on Mount Carmel. Just type in Bahá'í World Center and you will find photos of the terraces I am speaking of. The photo here was taken by a dear friend, David, while we were spending time on the terraces. I have mentioned in the past that I have a habit of closing my eyes and remembering a place. I do this so that I can return in my mind whenever I wish. These terraces are beautiful, simple and peaceful. They bring healing to the troubled soul and joy to all.

If Only...

IF ONLY...

Looking back

As time goes by

Reflecting, remembering

Breathing, a deep sigh

I wanted to speak

But silence took me

Until I weeped

If only I had gone

But somewhere else

I now belong

If only I replied,

What future

have I denied

If only I stayed

How far from there

Have I strayed

If only I

Had taken heed

How different would life be

Indeed

Choices fill

Our daily lives

To new horizons

Do we arrive

But what of

Opportunities lost

And to what effect

And what cost

If chance

We neglect

We that choice

May dearly, regret

What makes us hesitate

When intuition doth dictate

Supposed reason, didst guide

Woe betide, for a truer future

May be denied

If our heart

We do not follow

Can we accept

The oncoming sorrow

Take a chance

And speak your mind

Be direct, yet gentle and kind

These choices given today

May not again

Come our way

And much to our dismay

May heavily on our heart weigh

Can one deny

A voice sincere

From anyone held dear

Nay, what holds us back

Is fear

-Shiidon, April 2010

I remember reading a post from a friend that had just watched The Bucket List. I saw that movie and was moved by it. The main song sticks out in my head at times. Indeed, we should be genuine and honest with each other as people. However, we are not always that way. This poem is about honesty and overcoming fear. In some ways, I hide behind my blog, yet at the same time it truly is overcoming a fear to be so open with an unfiltered world. This blog has been visited 2500 times from 42 countries. How is it I hide at the same time. Sometimes, I speak through my poems. whatever the muse may be it is from there that I draw my inspiration. It then takes on a life of its own and in a way each person in their own way takes that poem as their own.

The more open and honest we are the less regrets we will find ourselves wallowing in. We can take chances in life, or we can watch life pass us by.

The photo is me reading the poem to Jessica and Miles at their wedding.

(Note: while I know that weeped is not technically a word, it is used. Call it poetic license).

Imzadi

IMZADI

She has danced through life

Bringing joy to all

Arising when she heard

The clarion call

Serving selflessly

Endlessly

Boundlessly

Serving the young

Without tire

A spirit and demeanor

Most would admire

Setting an example

For the young to aspire

From time to time

A thought would come

With whom would

She be one

________________________

Then one day

In his own special way

The stargazer came

To play

The advance guard

Of a great clan

The horizon of life

He would scan

Solid and resolute

A sense of reasoning

Caring, yet astute

A strength of character

No one would dispute

________________________

Then one day

It came to be

They came together as one

The stargazer and padawan

And a new life together begun

Under the evening sun

Already admired

Each on their own

Together more brightly

Their light hath shown

And together already

They have grown

The young, they hold so dear

With hearts sincere

And continue to serve

Without reserve

Those admiring souls

The life ahead

They will firmly tread

Not a life material

But spiritual instead

Their union will last

Of this I am certain

Across this stage

There’s no

Closing curtain

They walk now together

For what was meant to be

Inseparable

For eternity

-Shiidon, April 2010

Last night I attended the wedding of two dear friends. I have known Jessica since she was an infant and Miles since he was fifteen. However, I did attend the wedding of Miles parents so, I have known the family for decades. In the Bahá'í Faith there is no clergy. All that we need to do when we want to be married is to get parental consent, the couple have to consent and the vow: "We shall all verily abide by the will of God." in front of two witnesses of our choosing. Jess and Miles asked me to Emcee their wedding (that is what they came up with). I welcomed everyone and prior to them coming down the aisle, so to speak, I read to them this poem which I wrote for them. Jessica saw my shirt (customer made when I lived in China) at the rehearsal and lets just say I ended up wearing it. What is funny about the shirt is that Jessica is an avid Start Wars fan (though she admittedly thinks the new Star Trek movie was awesome) and therefore there were hints of Star Wars in the wedding. One such hint was the illusion of "cutting the cake" with the light saber. She handed it to me so that she could serve and before you know it, I was transformed form dignified, though eclectic garb to Star Wars Jedi Costume in one moment. Hence the photo you see here.

Jessica and Miles are two amazing young people who are dedicated to enhancing the lives of younger people and service to humanity. They are wonderful souls from two, now one, wonderful families. It was a joyous wedding and much happiness flowed throughout those attending. The word Imzadi is a Star Trek reference to a relationship between two souls as exemplified in the Next Generation between Ryker and Troy. Can you say geek? :-)

Buoyant Skies

BUOYANT SKIES

I Take a deep breath

And close my eyes

Floating in air

Without care

Of the mundane

Unaware

Peace settles in

And makes it’s home

Of this I’m sure

My countenance

Hath shown

Oh how I long to be

In this realm

For eternity

Troubles are banned

Nothings planned

On the wings of joy

I float this day

Seemingly

In an endless way

I think this

Is what’s meant to be

In the realm of eternity

For you and me

Of this too soon

We shall see

In two worlds we clearly stand

The troubled one at hand

And the other beyond

And grand

The more we overcome

In the world of dust

The higher we’ll fly

In the other realm

I trust

The more we face

In this place

And in time overcome

The stronger our other

Wings become

So with welcome spirit

I embrace my fate

And face my challenges

With an accepting state

Though the pain

It doth not negate

I look forward

To that day

When I can fly away

This world no longer

Holding sway

And I can there

Forever stay

-Shiidon, April 2010

I have mentioned here several times that I feel as if I am in two different worlds at the same time. I look down at what I do as if it is a movie and wonder how I will think about my thoughts and actions when it is time to face my life. Of course I do not know what will happen when we go on to the other world, however, it would seem that we would need to account for what we do and do not do in this, the world of dust. At the same time, we are material beings and have the unavoidable needs required to sustain ourselves and society. Many a time we neglect the eternal for the fleeting baubles of this realm. I still feel that there is so much to live for and another life out there for me. As much as I long to be in the Abhá, I am looking forward to service and happiness in this world. I dwell on those that have moved on. I think of my friends Corky and Clair. I think of my family and others. Some, like dear Aram, I met only once but have impacted my life in a profound way. I think of him often. These are souls that are flying high in those eternal skies that we hope to glimpse when we close our eyes to sleep. So, dear reader, we may or may not fly together in this world, but certainly in the next.

Encounters

ENCOUNTERS

We walk through life

Meeting many a soul

Not known to us

How they’ll play a role

Many think

These meetings a chance

I for one

Take a different stance

Each person we meet

At home, afar or in the street

Has an impact on our being

Should we look

For its inner meaning

we come and go together

like clouds in the sky

Never thinking

Of a purpose or why

I value each

And every connection

Sometimes looking,

For direction

What is it

You bring to me

Or me to you, what will it be

Sometimes only time will see

I look back

At encounters past

Some of these friendships

Have long last

Can we tell

To what degree

How together

We are meant to be

I don’t know

How will it will show

Or how far

Each connection will go

What I do know

Is we are all sailing

On the sea of life

From the ports of certitude

Through the storms of strife

Will we look back

And embrace regret

For those whom we chose

To neglect

What opportunities

Have been lost

And what of our future

May it have cost

Someone must step forward

And bridge the gap

For a chance meeting

Can sometimes be fleeting

And the moment is gone

The memories forgone

Becoming, woebegone

If we look

To the gems in us all

We may see what

To us will enthrall

Take advantage

Of each moment and time

Enrich our lives

Our spirits refined

-Shiidon, April 2010

I was at a rehearsal dinner tonight for a wedding tomorrow. It reminded me of how we encounter each other. There are times we reach out and dare to know or meet someone. For example, the lives of these two dear souls were going into certain directions. But for a small chance they were headed in two varying directions. However, as it happened to be, they came together and are now to marry. It is that way with even the smallest encounters. Can these be chance meetings? I was thinking of a customer during this last Holy Day. I was remembering something he said about how every faith professes the importance of the time we find ourselves in. Well, today he called to have us work on his car. I mentioned that I had been thinking about him the previous day and about what he said. He was surprised and indicated how nice it would be to get together and continue our discussions. Whether it is a potential spouse, or a pithy discussion, we do not know what each encounter may lead to. I just don't want to live in a world of regret. I want to make sure that I did not miss out on a chance to enrich my life, and hopefully enrich another persons life.

Bard's Tale

BARD'S TALE

The life of a bard

Can be hard

Standing outside

Looking in

Telling tales of life

Honed through strife

Journeying alone

Within bemoan

The urge to express

A myriad of thoughts assess

And time to time, digress

It is with gratitude

Not self serving attitude

That this role is given

T’is for me

A path focused, driven

To open ones heart

For a start

Is not easily done

But once begun

Takes on a life of its own

And a path is shown

Direction comes from without

Not from me, no doubt

I scrawl on paper

Lest the words become vapor

And pen a tale

For all to see

Not knowing

How it will be

Once the words are down

Though not for renown

My being is spent

And in expression

content

From each of us within

Come countless tales

That’s where I begin

These are common to all

Similar joys and woes

To each of us befall

And I hear the call

Though bound together

In commonality

I feel alone, in reality

Watching others stories unveil

Makes mine seem pale

And a life seemingly, derailed

For me do not sorrow

For when I feel the urge

On paper I purge

And following this

A sense of bliss

For with each of you

I didst commune

And for but a moment

Our hearts attune

-Shiidon, April 2010

I see a poet as a bard in some sense. I tell tales in poetry, just no music. I think playing the trumpet doesn't quite work with a bard like a lute or guitar would. I rely then on the meter of the human voice and the rhythm of the words. I have mentioned before that my cousin once said that if you want to know me, read my poetry. Well, while it is true, most of what I write is evoked from self or emoted from experience, I somehow can reach a bit beyond that. Two people can see a painting and interpret it two different ways. I have found the same with poetry or writing. I think what is written comes from a point of commonality. It is the essence of our spirit or self. Somehow, it brings us together. It is the beauty of the arts. Like a bard, I write to an unknown audience, telling tales and spinning yarns. So, dear reader, I hope these poems bring something to you. This photo, by the way, is me at the Great Wall, China.

King of Days

KING of DAYS

This day, not long ago

A time arrived

A new era

To the world show

Rose petals piled on high

The angels drawing nigh

Tears of joy

As the loved ones cry

Gathered around in celebration

A day in the future

To be honored

by every nation

Love permeated, every soul

The fragrance of flowers

The nightingales extol

Each played their role

The toils of this world

Did lose their sway

As they rejoiced

On that special day

The great announcement

Came forth

A message, of great worth

The signal of a new age

One in which mankind is freed

From its own cage

The day in which

no night shall follow

bringing to all

an era, most hallowed

on that day

the Earth doth shook

transforming those who partook

for an ordinary day

no one mistook

The day of paradise hath arrived

The King of Days is here

A day without peer

Drawing the loved ones near

Hear the nightingale’s song

The attar of rose strong

The sound of the river

Flowing along

Coming forth, His voice

All the loved ones, rejoice

For this day

of Paradise

-Shiidon, April 2010

On this day in 1863, Bahá'u'lláh proclaimed Himself to be the promised one of all ages. He rented a garden in what was the outskirts of Baghdad. The first day of arrival He proclaimed Himself to the family and close friends that were present. The rivers flooded prohibiting anyone from entering or leaving that garden, called Ridván or paradise. On the ninth day, the water subsided permitting more believers to be present. The waters flooded one more time and on the final day, the twelfth day the rest of the believers were able to be present. Following this proclamation, He continued on the next stage of His exile from Baghdad to Constantinople. Bahá'í's the world over celebrate these three days, the first, ninth and twelfth days as three of our Holy Days. The first day of Ridván was called the King of Days by Bahá'u'lláh.

Glass Cage

GLASS CAGE

I stand this side of glass

Seeing life revolve around, alas

For me, an impasse

Marking time

Forever in line

Living a life benign

In this cage of mine

Who do you see in me

The person others

Want me to be

Or the deeper side

The real me

Am I judged by what I own

Where I live

My car, my home

Can it be so shallow

Considering me so fallow

Is that all to value

What is considered real

Is truly surreal

And the heart of it all

The ethereal

is this why, I walk alone

from shore to shore

home to home

my life, a drone

could it be

there is a fear

of breaking glass

and drawing near

I’ve alone stood

In so many ways

Misunderstood

What is it

We take with us

Anything from

This world of dust

Rather what us defines

Is that which comes

From the divine

Which over time

We’ve refined

And when we go home

To that distant shore

We know not what

For us is in store

But in heavenly skies

We will soar

-Shiidon, April 2010

Life is interesting. I look at things from different angles. We look at each other as people and sometimes we see the cover and not the book. We judge and make decisions for the next few and fleeting years and not the eternal. We sacrifice the certainty for temporal security. We see the mistakes in others but not the lessons learned. We see the pain but not the joy. We seem to pick and choose how we see each other based sometimes on the old and arcane way of viewing others. When it comes to great souls in our past, we know not of what they did but the character that marked their souls. Why is it then that we choose to see each other for the wrong things. Sometimes I think I see things in two different worlds. Some would say I have my head in the clouds. I just know that time will tell and I will continue to follow the path that I believe is best for service to humanity.