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Lessons learned

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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

Home

A trip away from home gave me a new perspective

A trip to the other side of the world brought me closer to my home

We take so much for granted and I’m no exception 

It’s hard to know what you have till it’s gone

Montreal may have long brutal winters

Lots of potholes and unending construction

But it’s the city of culture

In Montreal, all races and nationalities live side by side

Our lives are made richer this way

There is much variety and

We’re exposed to different perspectives and ideas

Montreal is a city of art, music, theatre and sports

It’s the city of writers and poets

It’s a place one can be inspired and thrive

It took me going to a land far off

To appreciate what I have at home

To appreciate friendships I’ve made over the years

Having lived in Montreal for seventeen years 

This is the place I call home now

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October 14th, 2108

A new beginning

 

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A new notebook 

As I embark on a new adventure 

A new beginning 

A new phase in my life

 

Venturing south

Seeking the sun

Looking for community 

Looking for camaraderie

 

As my children begin to fly away

It’s time for me to look around

Assess things

And start new ventures as well

 

There is sadness in loss

But joy in new possibilities 

 

It’s time to give in a different way

To be of service in a different way

 

I see the open road in front of me

And I’m ready to embark on this journey

 

October 2nd, 2018

Our roots

 

Our roots ground us

They give us stability and

The chance to grow tall

They keep us firm 

In the storms of life

They nourish our souls

They make us strong

Leaves and branches 

Adorn the tree of our lives

But without roots

They would not stay alive

“Grounded in our roots we rise”*

 

September 30th, 2018

 

*Larry Smith in Fresh off the boat

The collage

 

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A second book
Another essay on life
My life
With its challenges and trials
With lessons learned
With hope and optimism
Written with love

The collage of me
Is a collage of prose and poetry
The coming together of various experiences
And exploration of various cultures
Of Travel
Of connections
Of fellowship and camaraderie

It tries to answer the questions
Who am I?
And where do I belong?

It explores issues of identity and immigration
And the coming together of East and West
And the essential oneness of man

Earthquake

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When assumptions I’ve held for a while
Are shattered
When the veil falls off
And what’s underneath is clear to see
It causes a little earthquake inside me
I have to recalibrate my understanding
The aftershocks come as well
It takes a while before all is quiet again
But of course the shape of the landscape has irreversibly changed

April 4th 2018

Missed connection

 

imageWinter
Holiday season
Travel
Missed airline connection
Frustration
Impatience
Resignation

A different sort of connection
Impossible without the missed one
Sometimes the world seems to have
No rhyme or reason
Sometimes what seems random
Is actually not

I’m learning to take what comes
Try not to make a fuss
In every missed opportunity
Could be waiting
Another one

Never despair

 

January 15th, 2018

 

A new page

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It’s a new year because we have decided to mark time this way
Otherwise today is not that different from yesterday
Or a day in the last month

The renewal we feel in the New Year
Happens inside
We decide to leave a year behind
And start another one

We decide to leave disappointment and loss behind
We leave behind unhappy memories and the time that was
We start fresh in our minds and hearts
We make new plans for the days to come
We feel rejuvenated and possibility
Is what we see

So, as the New Year begins
Let’s say good bye to what was
And embrace what is
Let’s turn a new page
Let’s look ahead with hope and expectation

 

January 4th, 2018

 

 

We hide so much

We can hide so much
Who we are
How we feel
What we think
We can hide so much

Why do we do that?
Why aren’t we more transparent?

Different reasons
Shame
Others’ judgement
Inability to express ourselves
Staying on the surface
Comparing ourselves with others
Judging ourselves
Fear of criticism
Fear of being different

We can hide so much
And every layer we peel off
We’re one step closer to freedom
Freedom to be who we truly are

We hide so much
And that can hurt us
We use veils for self preservation
But they stop us from feeling authentic
We hide so much
And it’s not necessary

December 20th, 2017

 

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Back to my roots

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Back to my roots
To where I’m from
I left it long ago
When I was young

Back to my roots
To poetry and art
A place where I did not think
I belonged

Back to my roots
To the city of Shiraz
Where nightingales sing
and jasmine thrives

Back to my roots
Back to the East
Where the sun rises
And the day begins

Back to my roots
To the friends I left
To friends who have
Embraced me once again

Back to my roots
And it feels good
To feel grounded
To feel understood

December 13th, 2017