Tag Archives: Poetry

Remembering emily and watching the madness

Posted on by

I was always attracted to the poems of Emily Dickinson. It started in the seventh grade with Mrs. Rice reading one of her poems that begins, “I’m nobody! Who are you?” I suppose as a pre-teen at the time, I was fascinated by someone actually admitting from the start that they were “nobody”. Perhaps a little simplistic thinking on my part at the time. But I became very motivated to delve into the meaning of her poems especially the more depressing and sometimes even darker ones. I read her biographies which always intrigued me. But don’t ask me why; they just did.

These days, I am somewhere in between feeling hopeful and depressed by all the madness that seems to be exhibited at all levels by so many of us. More maddening is that the paradoxes and ironies of the madness come from our so called leaders. I crave more thought provoking poems to help me understand and cope with it all. I read more about keeping faith and spirituality.

Here is a poem by Emily Dickinson I reread recently that seems to connect to what is happening right now. What do you think?

 

Much madness is divinest sense

Much madness is divinest sense

to discerning eye;

Much sense the starkest madness.

“Tis the majority

In this, as all, prevails.

Assent, and you are sane;

Demur, –you’re straightway dangerous

And handled with a chain.

Rumi’s Poetry

Posted on by

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.

Here is one of his poems from the collection:

Come Let’s Speak

Come let’s speak

of our souls

let’s even hide from

our ears and eyes

like a rose garden

always keep a smile

like imagination

talk without a sound

like the spirit

reigning the world

telling the secrets

uttering no word

let’s get away from

all the clever humans

who put words in our mouth

let’s only say what our hearts desire

even our hands and feet

sense every inner move

let’s keep silence

but make our hearts move

the mystery of destiny

know the life of

speck after speck of dust

let’s tell our story

as particle of dust

62 DAYS 06 HOURS 38 MINUTES 09 SECONDS – IN THE MEANTIME

Posted on by

In the meantime,

I pray for the souls

of over 184,000

who were probably alive

last year on this day and the day before.

Never dreamed they would leave the earth

so abruptly and alone.

In the meantime,

I write haiku,

I dream and hope,

I breathe deeply,

and visualize brighter days.

In the meantime,

I listen to nature’s songs,

I look at the view

for something new,

I seek inspiration,

to help awaken my imagination,

and I am still in the now,

and utter positive affirmations,

that our nation,

under God,

indivisible,

will unite

once again.

Countdown – 75 Days 14 hours 14 minutes – Calm will Arrive!

Posted on by

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


Mediation by Melba Christie

A Little Bird Told Me

Posted on by

 

*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.

 

The little bird that told me

 

“Listen only to what wise people have to say“

 

Tell Us When

Posted on by

reading by
Melba Christie

 

I ask respectfully

I don’t want to be rude

The expectation is not great anymore

There is no butterfly crossing

To give me comfort

I don’t want to rush you

But I know You must Know;

that what is happening,

Pains us so.

Isn’t time we know

I don’t want the so called experts to tell us

I don’t want to hear it from you know who

Could you please tell him to shush

Like I said I do not mean to rush

I believe only You.

I trust only You.

I want to know was is true.

I pray everyday this craziness ends.

Please tell us when.

Beauty

Posted on by

 

Nature knows all;

Beauty is the truth before us.

A heart healed.

A family reunited.

A spirit revived.

Kindness surging like

when the electricity comes back after a blackout

Applause, Applause,

Sweet music to the ears

of the weary

and tired

But the beauty of the soul

revealed

cannot be belittled.

Only the strong

Know the real beauty of life.

Have you been strong?

 

Image by Bessi from Pixabay

 

 

 

Can You Sing Some Jazz?

Posted on by

Reading Aloud

 

Can you sing some jazz?

Who can these days?

Does anyone have the razzmatazz?

How can we sing? We are all cooped up;

Sort of like confined to Alcatraz.

I am feeling the deepness of the rut.

 

Well I know I possess the pizzazz;

But only if you let me cry as much as

I want.

It is the only way for me to glean

Some sanity right now,

How I wish it was all so serene.

The truth is I want to scream.

So I will ask you once again

Can you sing some Jazz?

Are we friends?

If you want,

I will send you some good vibes;

and a little of my razzmatazz.

 

 

 

« Older Entries Recent Entries »