Lengthening Shadows

Lengthening Shadows

The shadows lengthen

Along the ground

The dusk draws near

And alas, I fear

The Fast has ended

For another year

These days past I’ve grown

With fortitude

Hoping my actions

An act of certitude

My sorrow of It’s ending

Embraced in gratitude

With longing I wish

These days would go on

But my body protests

And I know t’woud be wrong

Another Fast has gone by

My body did I deny

But more lofty I think

My spirit did fly

The shadow lengthens

The birds do sing

The babble of the brook, doth ring

A deep rooted joy

Doth it to me bring

This most blessed day

The first day of Spring

-Shiidon, Naw-Ruz, 2012

The Bahá'í has ended and as of sunset last night the Bahá''í Holy Day of Naw-Ruz started.  This is a shared special day and it so happens to embrace two parts of me, the Bahá'í and the Persian.  For over two thousand years this has been the Persian New Year and it is very special to that culture.  It is the first and most significant holiday in my memory.  It is also the Bahá'í New Year.  While the Persians will celebrate with those things of their/our culture like putting out a special table and other traditions, the Bahá'í's all over the world and from other cultures will celebrate by holding festivities.  For the those of us on the northern hemisphere it is the first day of Spring.

I had a special time.  I stared last night by braking the Fast with Shahdi in a Persian restaurant.  Today I then went with Winrik and  joined some dear friends at that same restaurant for lunch.  We were surprised by a large family that is very dear to me showing up at the same time.  Now I am off to join my study circle for a Book 4 on the life of the Báb and Bahá'u'lláh.  What a special day, what a special time.

Happy Naw-Ruz, happy first day of Spring to all.