Even I know,
bitterness
does not lead to
enlightenment.
Even I know,
bitterness
does not lead to
enlightenment.
Tiny moment:
silent touch
brief smile
bright eyes.
Love builds.
Candles glisten, blue and white
In the windows
and on graves across the land.
Memories of independence:
A declaration, an idea, a nation.
Quiet thankfulness and pride,
a flickering pinprick of light.
.
Itsenäisyyspäivä Suomenmaa.
“Isn’t it interesting,” the old lady mused,
“How people can have such different pictures of someone.”
Not really.
Especially when one always looks through a petty and critical lens,
and the other is open to receive love and kindness.
You see what you look for,
after all.
She is light.
She glows with gentle radiance
that touches everyone she meets with her warmth.
She is peace.
In her calm presence you are comforted
simply by being near her serene heart.
She is whole.
She does not need anything from anyone,
for she has found the font of her strength within herself.
She is love.
She said, compassion is a light.
It attracts those in darkness who then devour it.
Oh what a sad and bitter theory!
No.
Compassion is a fire that burns freely
and radiates warmth and comfort to those who draw near.
Fuel for compassion is love and contentment, which renews the fire regardless if anyone has gathered to enjoy the heat.
Compassion can not be taken, it can only be given;
it is the essence of its fuel.
No one who is truly compassionate can be bitter,
because bitterness is the antithesis to love and contentment.
So many questions I’ve wondered
Who was your first love?
Why did you make this decision?
What do you wish?
What have you learned?
What do you advise?
But you have always said,
each person takes his own journey,
what you learned was for you alone,
and so you’ve kept your secrets,
and soon I will be asking questions
to the wind.
You’re dizzy.
Can’t find the armhole on your blouse.
Falling.
You come to yourself slowly,
worn out,
laughing.
Minor cardiac episode?
Heart attack
or
Love?
Another year older
Another year wiser?
Another year employed.
Another year, analyser
Advise ‘er to be bolder.
The journey brings learning.
What do you do?
How has it evolved this way?
What do you want to change?
Eyes open.
Ears open.
So much to learn from those
who’ve gone ahead.

Shawn Bird is an author, poet, and educator in the beautiful Shuswap region of British Columbia, Canada. She is a proud member of Rotary.