More simply known as Rumi, his poetry was mostly written in Persian but popularized in many languages including English. I recently read The Love Poems of Rumi published in the United States in 2015. This collection was translated by world-renowned Iranian-American architect Nader Khalili, who was also an author and humanitarian and teacher.
Before then I had come across some of his poems and quotes which impressed me greatly. The love poems connect expressions of deep emotion to the very soul of the poet. Rumi’s full name is Jalāl ad-Dīn Muḥammad Balkhī which is a mouth full but I was intrigued why Rumi is most popular. Rumi’s birthday is commemorated on September 30.
I was inspired by this countdown clock that measures to the second how much longer it will be until election day. I wrote the following poem starting with a borrowed line from Destined 4 the Dub. I write found poems all the time and all it takes is reading a clever line from a fellow blogger. I want to create awareness and encourage people to read and listen as we move closer to election day. It is so important to keep informed and to be able to distinguish the truth and alternative facts.
I hope you enjoy this poem. Afterall, my goal is to inspire with my art and poetry. I have been enjoying the comments. Here is the found poem. I hope that one of you can give it a title. Please write your suggestions in the comments.
Carefully choose what you remember.
Let go of all the lies.
Allow the waves of change
to flow gracefully into your hearts.
We are the new dreamers.
However, the seeds were planted long ago.
Sow them gently;
So you hear their soothing mantra.
They create harmony for us;
all of us.
Know now the urgency of our oneness.
Our voices echo love and peace.
Do not forget to look at the view.
Nature always heals the soul.
Watch out for the rainbow;
it knows our destiny.
We will survive!
Breathe!
This too shall pass.
Attributions: Miriam Out and About – Destined 4 the dub
*I often go back and read my poems and revise them to reflect my current sentiments about a topic. The little bird represents so many things. It is in a way a deity of sorts, a messenger fro the universe to help us make sense of tragedy and violence. Perhaps I am also a dreamer. But I like to think that there is hope for humanity.
A little bird told me
“Listen only to what wise people have to say.”
It spoke to me in a very alarming way.
I have always listened carefully to those I thought were very smart.
But all I heard was actually a lot of stupid stuff.
I have always tried the dodge the darts,
poisoned with hatred, bigotry and words that were really rough.
I pleaded with the universe to help stop the madness,
and declared enough is enough.
I turned to the little bird and explained my confusion,
But It flew away suddenly
as if to say,
What did you expect from your delusion?
Sadly, even birds seem to understand what is going on today.
They know about disrespect
and I think they even get
the meaning of reject.
I am watching for that little bird to come back to me.
I believe that we all need to learn to breathe intently and mindfully in order to free ourselves from pain and anxiety and to reach calmness. During this time of social distancing, isolation and for some of us deep sorrow, it is imperative to keep the faith and to maintain our immune system stronger than ever. Below is a link to a video on how to take deep cleansing breaths by Dr. Andrew Weil. I have passed on this video to many of my family members and friends. A fun way to keep connected is to use the Zoom app and do the exercises with a group of friends. Teach your children how to do the breathing exercises. Please let me know about your experiences. In the meantime, stay safe.
I mean who wants to measure and do all that scoring.
Who would have guessed
I am now sewing like crazy
I need to keep doing
so I won’t grow too lazy.
I been on a masquespade lately
making all kinds of masks to keep the safety.
They are not perfect or fancy;
no embroidery,
or appliqués,
I try my best is all I can say.
As I sew I also silently pray
that soon we will not have to stay six feet away,
from our neighbors, elders, friends and family.
When that day comes I will sing with glee!
Free at last! Free at last!
Then I will invite everyone
to visit so we can party and have a blast.
For all those who wish to help by sewing masks to donate to different organizations like nursing homes and hospitals or even simply your local grocery store workers. I have linked a few videos and the guidelines for making the more professional type masks.
In the meantime, just remember we are all in this together. Stay safe and cherish the time at home with family. Let’s make this a mission. Do not allow the fabric of our most precious values to unravel.God Bless America and the world!
This week’s challenge is to write a poem starting with the line: “I must speak up today.” I am looking forward to reading your poems so please post them on your sites and send me a link in the comments section of any of my posts this week.
In the meantime, stay safe, stay home if you can, and keep the faith. Don’t forget to breathe and look at the view. We will get through this together. There is no other way.
Let me not to the marriage of true minds
Admit impediments. Love is not love
Which alters when it alteration finds,
Or bends with the remover to remove:
O no! it is an ever-fixed mark
That looks on tempests and is never shaken;
It is the star to every wandering bark,
Whose worth's unknown, although his height be taken.
Love's not Time's fool, though rosy lips and cheeks
Within his bending sickle's compass come:
Love alters not with his brief hours and weeks,
But bears it out even to the edge of doom.
If this be error and upon me proved,
I never writ, nor no man ever loved.
Every year for many years now I have celebrated National Poetry Month and invite and encourage those who find poetry difficult or boring to give poetry a try. If you have read my profile you will know that for me poetry is life and life is poetry. I was introduced to poetry at a very young age and had wonderful teachers who inspired me to read and write poems.
I believe that poetry can change your life. I also believe that poetry can heal. Our nation needs healing right now. We are facing a very deadly virus and have been told that there is a possibility that many thousands will lose their lives. The thought terrifies me and saddens me deeply. Hopefully the numbers of people affected will decrease substantially. This pandemic has hit hard in many countries around the world. This is why more than ever we must understand the concept of oneness. Prayer, meditation, and yes reading poetry will help us cope with the tragedy of what is now. I refuse to think beyond that; i must stay focused on the now. We have little control over what may happen as a result of this deadly and highly contagious virus.
I believe in hope. We must believe in the ingenuity of our scientific and medical researchers because we do have the best of the best working hard to find the therapy and finally the vaccine that will work.
Please join me in celebrating National Poetry Month by using poetry to help us heal and to comfort us. Join me to celebrate a Poem in Your Pocket. Look for poems that inspire and fill your heart with hope. Share poems with love ones and even perfect strangers. Write poems. Dedicate a poem to someone who is laboring to make a difference in all of our lives. Share poems via Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and any other social media outlet. Let us make poetry viral surpassing any other medium. Surprise someone with a poem inside a greeting card. Remember that poetry is life and life is poetry.
God bless you all and may poetry bring you joy and hope during these very scary and difficult times.
Poemattic: Poetry and Art for the Soul 
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