A poem about mornings

I read recently about people who write ‘morning journals’ to capture their streams of consciousness after waking up. I didn’t realise what a powerful tool it is to capture your ideas, inspirations and aspirations. I used to think that if I checked the morning news, it might give me some idea on what to concentrate on for the rest of the day. But that is reactive thinking.  Morning journals and thoughts which help me to prioritise not only my day but also a way of future planning, are a much best way.  As I am not a morning person, here is a poem that I read each morning to inspire myself.  It is not written by a new age guru or the latest ‘Tim Ferriss’, this was written in 5th Century AD-

Listen to the Exhortation of the Dawn!
Look to this Day!
For it is Life, the very Life of Life.
In its brief course lie all the
Verities and Realities of your Existence.
The Bliss of Growth,
The Glory of Action,
The Splendor of Beauty;
For Yesterday is but a Dream,
And To-morrow is only a Vision;
But To-day well lived makes
Every Yesterday a Dream of Happiness,
And every Tomorrow a Vision of Hope.
Look well therefore to this Day!
Such is the Salutation of the Dawn!

Take a note book with you!

These days I carry a small note book with me- I never know when inspiration may strike! When the moment passes, I forget the thought and the idea never lives again, lost in ether. Here is a small poem I wrote, immersed in classical music being performed in a church (Cesar Franck’s Violin sonata in A major) and looking at the light streaming through the stained glass windows. I did not take the photo during the performance but waited until the end, however the moment along with the light had gone. But the poem remains, it has captured what I had experienced at a moment in time.

Sunlight through the high windows
Stained in colours brilliant,
Flickers mischievously through the leaves, slow.
Hear the pathos, the joy, the reverent.
Time slows in the ancient sanctuary sad.
Softly with the strains of lost lore,
Played from the time long gone,
Creations of those that are no more,
Remembering a timeless song!

Memory, grief and creativity

The loss of someone or something can be a source of immense creativity.  The grief of losing a loved one can be alleviated somewhat by the outpourings of the heart, whether that be a piece of writing, a drawing or even something like gardening.  I wrote this poem in the memory of my uncle who died nearly two years ago and yet I seem to think of him every moment.

I open the  chest of drawers,

of my memories.

In the drawer marked ‘childhood’,

As sure as the black and white photographs,

You live on

In the warmth of love.

 

I leap into eternity

I leap into the eternity above,

Into galaxies that are still forming.

I smile with love,

I play without ceasing!

Eternity stops awhile,

As the galaxies float away.

You love with your smile,

Creating my play!