Archive | December 2018

What I can promise you

image

I don’t promise you a heartache free life

I do promise or hold your hand when adversity visits

I don’t promise you that you will always be happy

I do promise you that happiness returns

I don’t expect you not to make mistakes

I expect you to learn from your experiences

I don’t expect you to be perfect

I expect you to try your hardest and be kind above all else

Life is not a bed of roses

And even if it were, the thorns are plentiful

To partake of the beauty of the rose

You have to endure the pain of picking it

I have taught you to swim

But it’s you who has to and who can swim

The long distance to the shore of contentment

 

December 29th, 2018

Another year

image

Another year comes to a close
A new year begins
Like any other year
There will be surprises in store
Storms will batter the coast line
The sun will warm up our hearts
Tears will flow
Laughter will ring out
Gratitude will bring us blessings
Friendship will nourish our souls
Lessons will be learned
Mistakes will be made
Poems will be written
Books will be read
Our journey on earth continues
And hopefully
We’ll pick up some wisdom along the way

December 28th, 2018

Belonging

image

Does anyone feel like they belong?
Don’t each of us feel like outsiders sometime, somewhere?
If we’re in touch with different groups of people
We’re bound to feel like we don’t belong

How does it feel to belong?
It’s feeling accepted and loved despite our flaws

It’s having our uniqueness and individuality acknowledged

And feeling accepted means not feeling judged
But feeling encouraged and celebrated

December 23rd, 2018

Unforeseen guest

image

Here’s my response to Rumi’s poem, The Gesthouse:

So many times have I tried to write my pain away
Perhaps I should not be doing that

Perhaps I should accept the pain
And welcome it into my day as an unforeseen guest
A guest bearing gifts
I don’t as yet understand

December 17th, 2018

The fall

03F87227-DDB0-4AC5-96CA-28729BE8C84D

If someone’s words hurt me

I’m supposed to forgive them instantly 

My heart should supposedly

Not be offended by anyone

But these are very high ideals

And not easy to live by

Sometimes it’s good to receive a dose of humility 

Sometimes it’s good to come back down to earth

There is a freedom in flying high

But you can also fall

 

December 13th, 2018

To hell and back

 

2B464CA1-05B8-4513-8F4F-E8F4C1D68F4A.jpeg

It is said to be a poet

You have to go to hell and back

The hell of suffering

The hell of hopelessness

The hell of dreariness

The hell of darkness

Why is that?

Could going to hell and back

Awaken in us emotions which we can then express in poetry?

Could going to hell and back

Teach us the humility that is required

To receive the gift of poetry?

Could going to hell and back

Burn away our impurities?

Could going to hell and back

Make brighter the colours of the world?

Could going to hell and back

Help us mature?

Going to hell and back

Seems and is awful

But if the result is poetry

What a gift

What a gift

 

December 10th, 2018

So many days

IMG_7283

So many days have I sat in this spot

For a moment of respite from the suffering that enveloped me

So many days, while here, have I wondered how much longer

till I feel alive again

So many days have I mourned the loss of happiness

So many days have I been revived by the kindness of friends

And as I sit in this spot again today

Feeling thankful

The rays of the sun on my face

I count my blessings

And rejoice that I can write again

December 11th, 2018

Lessons learned

4ED57821-2ADE-498B-BDE1-0E94EDBCDB58

Some things in life we learn from our parents

Other things we learn through experience 

Here are a few things that I’ve learned 

 

That we can’t avoid pain in life

There is a place for suffering in our lives

That how we respond to painful situations

Is in our own hands

And that’s what will make the difference

 

That it’s OK to make mistakes

Making mistakes is part of life

And not something to be afraid of

Mistakes should be learning opportunities

Not to be dreaded and feared

 

That self care is important 

It’s as important as being selfless

Without self care we can’t care for others

Without self care we become resentful

Without self care we can crash and burn

 

That it’s important to nurture our creativity

That art counts, poetry counts

Art can be a solace in our lives

Creativity a way to unwind

That art brings beauty into our lives

Helps us heal

Helps us shine

 

December 3rd, 2018