Why do we forgive?
Because our love exceeds the hurt
We have experienced
Because we know we have
Done wrong too
Because we know we all
Make mistakes
Because love heals
Both us and the who has erred
July 4, 2015
Tag Archive | Poetry
fifty
We were fifteen
The cream of the crop
From all over Iran
Wide eyed and ready to take on the world
Idealism was the order of the day
Most things seemed possible at the time
Yet we had a lot to learn
Now, we’re fifty
Time has passed
We have scattered all over Iran
All over the world
No longer naive, we have experienced life
We have experienced love and heartache
Perhaps we now know the value of
Friendship more
Won’t take it for granted, if we once did
Each of us has forged a path
Done wonderful things
Challenges have been there too
But that’s where friendship comes in
Now our messages criss-cross the world
Weaving a web of love as they do
Perhaps a love exists that didn’t exist before
Living life has taught us this
We were fifteen, and now we’re fifty
My dear friends, it couldn’t be better than this!
Lida Berghuis
June 30th, 2015
What can I say?
What can I say?
What can I write about the one who has sacrificed
His freedom for love?
What can I say about the one who can still laugh
Despite these trials?
What can I say about the one whose patience
Is being tested by love?
It seems like we are sometimes punished for love
“the watchman is running after us”
and all seems lost
But if we see the end in the beginning
We will see the light that emanates from this sacrifice
A light so bright
That it illumines the path for the rest of us
Deeds not words are needed today
His deeds an example for all of us
Kindness like honey drips from his every word
The scent of humility wafts gently toward us
What can I say about the one who has sacrificed
His freedom for love?
You inspire us and you make us proud!
Your friendship rejuvenates us and
We honor you for your sacrifice!
Lida Berghuis
June 27th, 2015
For Afif Naimi
For now…
For now…
So, it’s not what I wanted
Nothing I planned
The situation plumps itself down on me
and I feel its heavy burden
Where did it come from?
Another surprise on the road of life?
Was it in my blind spot?
Why didn’t someone warn me?
I guess then it wouldn’t be a surprise!
Now it’s here
I feel the unease
Actually I don’t feel good at all
I was going merrily on the road of life
And now this…
I’m told I’m supposed to accept what comes my way
That resistance is futile
But how does one accept unpleasant things
The situation reminds me of one of the valleys of love:
“On this plane, the traveler meeteth with many a trial and reverse.
Now is he lifted up to heaven, now is he cast into the depths.
As it hath been said: “Now Thou drawest me to the summit of glory,
Again Thou castest me into the lowest abyss.”*
What is the traveller to do?
I can see that the opposite of acceptance is not helpful
Won’t change things
It only creates bad feelings
So first I have to accept it’s OK not to be in my comfort zone for now…
It’s OK to be frustrated … for now
It’s OK to not have it easy… for now
It’s OK! For now!
And in the meantime
I’ll look for solutions
I will try to get around the obstacles of life
And find an alternative route
The process is not pleasant, I admit
But accepting things the way they are now
And remaining thankful for all that is going right, is key!
Lida Berghuis
June 22nd, 2015
*Baha’u’llah, The Four Valleys
Miss Maya
Miss Maya, I heard your voice today
Reciting your poems elegantly
Miss Maya, you have left us now
You’re in a peaceful place
Miss Maya, Let us know how things are
What really matters in this world of ours
Is wealth and success what brings us tranquility
Or is it a gentle and pure heart?
Is status and prestige what stands us in good stead
Or it is service to our fellow man?
Are the trials of life without purpose
Or are they an essential part of life?
Miss Maya, now you know the workings
Of this world better than us
Give us your wisdom
Send us your blessings
Cheer our heart
June 17th, 2015
Connected world
What an amazing world we live in
We are connected through ether*
We travel on the wings of love
Distances disappear magically
It’s like we are sitting side by side
No need to be in the same physical space
To communicate now
Hearts can connect though miles apart
It’s a blessed time we live in
The world has shrunk
It has become one country
We are brothers and sisters all
June 14th, 2015
It was thought that electromagnetic waves travelled
through a substance yet unknown, but called ether!
The colour of sincerity
What is the colour of sincerity?
It’s no colour at all
It’s transparent
Because this is no barrier between the sincere
person and others, none!
To be sincere is to be one’s authentic self
Nothing to hide
Perfections and imperfections clear for all to see
Because after all aren’t we all the sum
of our perfections and imperfections?
We all struggle to live our best lives
Love our fellow man
And contribute to the world
And if my sincerity inspired you dear friend,
I am humbled and thankful!
Wings of joy
My soul is in another world
It has flown away on the wings of joy
How do I go on with daily tasks
With my head in the clouds?
Don’t want to come down from this blessed place
To which I have been transported by love
My soul is in another world
It has flown away on the wings of joy
A window to my past
A window has been opened to my past,
Unexpectedly…
But don’t many things in life happen unexpectedly?
I’m now in touch with friends from high-school
Some still in Iran
Others living all over the world
We are all 35 years older now
But we share a special bond
Because of the year we spent together
In grade nine
Students from across Iran
Gathered in the Dabirestane Daneshgah
In the city of poetry and love, Shiraz
They’re now once again scattered across Iran
And across the world
In Australia, Canada and Denmark…
Messages are sent back and forth
Pictures and poetry is shared
Friendships forged years ago
Are still alive and well!
But there is one thing that casts a shadow over this joy
And that’s the lack of freedom of Afif,
One of our dear friends….
Nevertheless this sadness is mixed with thankfulness
Because at least we have contact with him
The love and friendship I feel from everyone warms my heart
The love we all have for dear Afif is evident and clear
This connection after so many years… is unreal!
I know not!
It’s time to rehash the last three months
When darkness fell upon my heart
When laughter did’t come easily anymore
When sorrow reigned and hope was gone
I see the light at the end of the tunnel now
My world is beginning to become colourful again
Shades of gray are replaced by yellow, red and green
Brightness is back, dreariness is gone!
And what was the purpose of this pain?
Why this suffering again and again?
The answers may elude me now
Perhaps I’ll know the reason why
Further down the road of life
The road where surprises hide
And answers are hard to come by
I felt like I was walking in a swamp
Every movement seemed so hard
Sometimes I wonder how I persisted
How I managed to smile from time to time
Writing, my joy in life left my side
Reading, my inspiration
Seemed laborious and hard
Joy left
Mental alertness left
I was surrounded by fog
I was not efficient
Not quick on my feet
I didn’t have any bright ideas worth sharing
But what choice did I have but to go on?
What Choice did I have…. none!
My friends were by my side
They’d throw me a line from time to time
Trying to keep me afloat a bit longer
As I struggled in the currents of life
It’s almost over
I’m almost there
And I’m thankful as can be
It’s a rebirth, another one
What is the wisdom?
I know not… I know not!
Lida Berghuis
May 22nd, 2015
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