We are loved. We are opened.
But, as we are written, we are seldom read.
Our story is without light, until
we bring our own fire to the pages.
We cast ourselves into oceans demanding
love find us and create our dreams. This raw
malleable matter is not for others to create us.
Our creation is either chaos of avoidance or
the exquisite refinement of the brilliance we be.
Finding ourselves in the storm of our history,
under the blankets of denial and neglect
or in the arms of the tender ache of need
requires the greatest courage for we must
burst through the barriers of our single fear:
We are not enough and are judged as broken.
No one can force this journey upon another.
All the brazen shields of language falter
when faced with the truths we shy from.
Our moment in the sun comes without shadows.
We are alone. No one else knows who we are.
This greater being we swear by will receive us,
love us but in being allows us our own journey.
We are always faced with our choices. How shall we
choose?
10:21 AM
02-12-09
Alexandria, VA
In a list
A contest entry
- keep in touch ... by PrabhuDayal Khattar.
400 points, ended February 25, 10 entries
Gold trophy winner
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest
Please tell me what you think, what it makes you feel, how you are moved.
Comments
1 - 32 of 32
-
The oceans of love and creating our own dreams. very nice. Its like a storm going on within. The caos and avoidence we not need in our lives if we are to be happy. This was a pleasure to read.
-
-
"To thine own self be true ..." sort of sums up all I have to say. Happiness comes when we make peace with ourselves and delight in all we find within.
Love, Tom B.
-
-
It's so detailed and i love it for this reason. Detail can be terrible, but the way you have used it has made it very powerful. The poem says obvious things, but there are suttleties behind it all which i like very much. It makes me think so many things, and it makes me take time to consider what it says.
This is very powerful.
Keep writing,
Holly. -
-
Thanks for sharing that you have found much here to delight in. It does me good to find my simple words have offered so many gifts.
Thanks,
Tom B.
-
-
I love how you describe everyhtign... brand new feeligns come to mind when you read this... really superb job!!! Keep goign you are good at this and I mean liek really good!!
-
-
Thanks for dropping by. I am glad i have achieved something by fifty-eight
I want to thank you for your comment, all my teasing aside. It is nice to find that people enjoy my simple words and thoughts and even nicer to find that they found something that touched them in my verses about find self and taking on the journey of what that means.
Peace & Light,
Tom B.
-
-
"n the arms of the tender ache of need" that line is so beautiful. It cries out with sadness. What a pleasure to read.
-
Superb Plus +
Aye, 'tis a very fine write, indeed. You have expressed your thoughts quite well. This piece reminds me of some of the various classical poets, which I have read over the years: Gibran, and others. -
-
Thank you. High compliment indeed to be placed in such company. Thanks for stopping and letting me know how you enjoyed my little poetic spell.
Peace & Light,
Tom B.
-
-
Our creation is either chaos of avoidance or
the exquisite refinement of the brilliance we be.
This greater being we swear by will receive us,
love us but in being allows us our own journey.
Tom, this is one of those poems that make me smile, but not immediately. I need to read it all the way through first, give it a moment to find a space in my brain that's not too crowded, so it will be allowed to stretch it's roots, and find deeper soil.
I also cant help thinking that if anyone else besides you had written it, I wouldn't receive it as sincere or humble. I know your heart, or what you've allowed me to know, and I know this is pure, and it's definitely sincere.
I find comfort in yours words, and only spend more time reading it out of pure enjoyment.
Oh Tom, your words are welcome, your kindness is received, and I thank you.
Love always,
jin
-
-
I had just read a thriller by Lustbader called "First Daughter" that turned out to be a parable about knowing yourself and being true to that self. Tremendous book well worth the read. This lead me to my own exploration of how we only have ourselves and without knowing what we have, in the end, we have nothing.
These are tricky writes, for it is so easy to sound arrogant or pompus and I do not strive for either. But, I have lived a interesting life ( remember the old Chinese curse: "May you lead and interesting life.") I have a small quantum of wisdom that I strive to share in ways that may benefit others. Glad you enjoyed this attempt.
Love,
Tom B.
-
-
Written With Brilliance Of Thought
Wow this was intersting to me.
Our creation is either chaos of avoidance or
the exquisite refinement of the brilliance we be.
I loved this part of your poem. I agree with your poem in which brings one to much thought of mind, heart and soul. Then,
We are always faced with our choices. How shall we choose?
Yes the bottom line whatever cirucumstances we are dished out in our lives it's how we choose to deal with them in which brings upon us an inner peace. I just loved it and best wishes in the contest.
Wishing You Many Blessings,
Much Love Always,
Kelle Marie
-
-
Thank you for enjoying my simple pieces so much.
I tried to capture the way our first job is to know ourselves in every way. Second, how we always choose out of who we are whether we know it or not. God loves us. Part of celebrating His gifts is to know what we have been given.
Love, Tom B.
-
-
Magic
Thank you for your deep, understanding of my question's.
You have given me the knowledge of Magic.
I'm know aware of all the magical moment's, I have partaken in, and currently partake in, on a daily basis.
God bless you today and always...Happy Valentine's Day: "WILL YOU BE MINE?" Magically so...
Your message has inspired me beyond mathematics....Or Cuban cigars. -
-
Keep the twinkle in the eye and dance with the moon lit butterflies as you dance through the night.
Love, Tom B.
-
-
We all have the opportunity to shine if we would just let a little light into our souls and quit trying to hide ourselves within our own shadows... A wound can't be healed if we don't acknowledge it's existence. The real shame of comparing ourselves to others is that we will always come up short in our own eyes...
-
-
Yeap, you have been there. Perhaps that is why we connect so easily and can be the friends we are.
Love, Tom B.
-
-
Quite an original view of the philosophy of the life is crafted through the serious poetic venture..thank you so much for the entry
-
-
I appreciate the contest. I don't often try to put all this in words because I am too long winded and I am not sure I am worth listening too. Still, I enjoy the challenge and am glad for the opportunity.
Peace & Light,
Tom B.
-
-
Oh yes how we live our lives, can me a magical moment for we are loved by the creator; as poets we do bring to life; life in words of metaphoric colors. This made me think of our everyday journey an a song I adore..."One Day At A Time" this is written with grace...I found it was like measuring
the foot steps in the sand...we are alone but the spirit is always there....an excellent poem....Novy
-
-
Thought you might enjoy this. Thanks for stopping by. I wanted to touch upon how we need to know ourselves and our relationship to the cosmos. In the end our relationship with ourselves and God is what defines us.
Love, Tom B.
-
-
Magic
If I were not a Spiritual person, maybe i would not have to ask what is your definition of magic?
What is magic, I know there are Magic shows and Magicians..
But when we believe in God is it magic or His love and Holy Spirit?.
Is magic a New Age statement? Sorcerer? Or is it when you look into somone's eyes and it feels like It's magic, mathematically magic.
Your poem is spirit filled, not magic! Also very soothing to the soul.
Your Ouaker Friend.....
-
-
When I speak of magic, it is not prestidigitation. I do not need tricks and misdirection to fill my world. When I speak of magic, I am not speaking about seeking formulas or phrases to give me control over the shape and structure of the world. I trust in the great mechanic himself to run his own device.
When I do speak of magic, it is about the wonder and specialness that fills the world. It is how the Light radiates from within and fills any of us who are willing to recieve. It is about being part of everything and able to hear all in a note if you are willing to listen. God brings his magic to us in countless ways. Ours is but to perceive, receive and celebrate it. Give thanks for the wonder of a rising sun and the rainbow of hues it provides. Be awed by the butterfly creeping out of its cocoon, drying its wings and taking flight when flight had never been its concern before. Magic! It is all around us and we can be filled with wonder at any time.
I am not superstitious and I don't waste much breath on believeing what I hope to be true. The cataracts in human's spiritual life are to numerous for me to count. What I do is celebrate when ever they are erased or cast aside and the Light clearly enters the heart.
Love, Tom B.
-
-
I read the powerful love of a mature soul ...
And I rejoice in the fact that you are healed despite your past. Thank you so much that you came tonight to support me too in my quest to let the abused be heard.
I worked for Child Line for a decade as Voluntary Social Worker, bringing awareness to schools and other institutions, to children in Places of Safety and to students, lawyers, teachers. Finally I realized that mostly legislation make it easy for the perpetrator to hide. For years I encouraged children to break the silence and begged adults to hear the silent cry. In the process I to grow to the stage where I do not falter in the onslaught anymore. If I must stand alone against all the abusers of this world, I will. Not in my own strength, but in the strength of He who gave me the soundness of mind to continue against devilish attacks; He who gives children the courage to survive ... and finally forgive those who ask for forgiveness. NO CHILD has to forgive that abuser that does not repent! And God too shall not forgive such.
Thank you once again for a wondrous poem, Tom.
Love
Myra
-
-
There is much work to be done. First, gettting adults to understand that corporal punishment is not an expression of discipline, but, instead, the expression of frustration and anger aggravated by fear on the part of the parent. Second, no child is broken, not good enough or bad. They may have behavioral problems, they may be smarter than smart and unaware of how quickly a world lashes back at their explorations. Third, Children need their parents. The safer you make them feel, the better you are a providing a good structure the more they feel safe to test the limits. Fourth, no on owns the book on child rearing. We are entrusted by God with the blessing of another spirit. We are not the only source for fulfilling their needs, instead we are the guides and guardians for them to discover how to fill their needs for themselves. I could go on, but then I would be writing a book.
When I worked with adolescents and their families in crisis, I had my ability not only to make good assesments but to love unforced and without regard. I was always stunned by how deeply my charges felt loved. I was confrontive and demanding but they always felt it came out of a large well of care. I was fortunate. Thanks for your courage and your support.
Love, Tom B.
-
-
Finding ourselves in the storm of our history...clever words, powerful message, loved it. Blessings.
-
-
Wanted to give you five stars but the browser isn't cooperating.
Thanks for your review. God shows us daily that love is suport and freedom to be our best. The opportunity is always there. Blessing for your days.
Love,
Tom B.
-
-
I must admit, this is one of my favorite writes of yours that I have read in awhile. I love all your work, but this one just seemed to hit all the right spots for me. Lately I have been on a journey of reflection myself, so I related to this closely.
I have been working on something similar and just havent gotten it together as yet...
Thank you for always being so honest with your pieces and I enjoy and look forward to them all the time.
Stay well and much love,
Noreen
-
-
I grew up abused. Not that my parents intended to do that. They did the best they knew how and my father said years later he hoped he made me tough enough to deal with all that life would throw at me.
Healing takes time. The personal journey of self discovery and being able to affirm your own self worth is hard. It means overcoming fears and facing yourself in total honesty. I wish you the best on this journey and I am always available for support. I don't know if the truth always sets you free but being able to hear it does.
Thanks for being so suppotive of my poetic efforts. I keep hoping that one day I can become as good at it as I want to be.
Love,
Tom B.
-
-
excellent ...
such a rich write filled with philosophical reflection brought alive by experience ...
the image I got was that of an elder sitting around a camp-fire with some young ones, teaching them about life ...
the powerful, yet gentle metaphorical guidance leaves sparkling invisible impressions on my mind's canvas ...
thank you so much for sharing your wisdom,
maa
-
-
I find these to be tricky writes. Insight and epiphanies are the hardest to share because they are so personal. You warm my soul when you share how they touch you for it lets me know that I brought some of the magic to my art. Thanks.
Love,
Tom B.
-
Adding your comment:
1 - 32 of 32
