Following Curnow at Karekare

A poem inspired by Karekare beach. Allen Curnow, who was one of New Zealand's best renowned poets, had a holiday home (bach) at the Karekare settlement. My poem gets its start from a poem by Curnow. And it includes quotations from the "Long Healing Prayer" by Baha'u'llah.

Revolutions -- poem on the cycles of life

I've had a binge on revising some of the poems I wrote a few years ago. This is one of them.

Revolutions

Rejoice in the glorious world around
Hail its varying nights and days
Such is the power of life to astound

Giving its benefits which surround
Children learning, eyes ablaze
Who plunge in the glorious world around

Seasons turning renew the ground
Making us marvel each altering phase
Such is the power of life to astound

Elements gather and crumble down
Bodies decay but passion stays
Inspired by the glorious world around

As age obscures both sight and sound
The mind recalls in countless ways
That life contains a power to astound

And in the end we shall no doubt be found
Knowing what’s been twinkling in our gaze
A greater glorious world around
Such is the power of life to astound

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Poem on the Baha'i Fast

The annual period of fasting observed by Baha'is runs from March 2-20. Those who are fasting take no food or drink each day between sunrise and sunset. It is a period of reflection that brings about mental and spiritual renewal. The fast is not kept by children, the elderly, the ill, nor by pregnant or nursing mothers.

The land shows up at first in hazy lines
and shadows making shapes in charcoal grey
then ghostly things take colour, depth and form
till houses, hills and trees materialize
-- become a busy world beneath the sun.

That time has come for watchfulness at dawn
and patience through the burning hours till dusk
for on these days the tongue grows dry,
the stomach groans, and while the clock
ticks by, the brain goes slightly dull,
as long and loud the March cicadas fret.

And yet the atmosphere stirs
with some uncommon vibrant pulse
-- some rare sweet song invigorates
the normal air -- a mystic tune
interpolates between the beats
of torpid time -- and laggard hours
are livened by a melody Divine.

Released to fly, the mind resorts
to higher thoughts -- desire abates
and indescribably a change
unfolds -- that lifts the soul --
imparts perceptions suddenly
and throws up chance encounters too
with fellow-travellers seeking light.

The turning of the earth, these nineteen days
instructs our hearts -- in heaven's ways.


[The above is a revised version of a poem posted here this time last year.]


Technorati Tags: Baha'i, fast, spirituality

Grandfather status

Ezra Charles Usmani was born at 8.40 a.m. today to my own eldest child, Coralie. Mother and baby are well. In his few hours in the wider world, Ezra has so far gained a reputation for being a peaceful sort who has hardly raised his voice after the obligatory initial outburst, preferring to sleep rather than bewail his new situation. Soon enough, no doubt his demands will be heard.

Coralie's violin examination becomes a celebration

Coralie Usmani today gave an impressive violin performance that constituted the final exam for her Bachelor of Music degree. Coralie, my elder daughter, in the front row holding sheet music, is pictured with family members and friends who attended the performance.

Accompanied by pianist David Guerin, Coralie played:

Ross Edwards -- "White Cockatoo Spirit Dance" (this piece she played solo).

Grieg -- Sonata No. 1 in F Major, Op.8. -- I, Allegro con brio -- II, Alegretto quasi Andantino -- III Allegro Molton Vivace.

Sarasate -- Romanza Andaluza (from Spanish Dances Op.22).

Frank Bridge -- I, Norse Legend -- II, Souvenir -- III Amaryllis.

The performance, wonderful to listen to, although for an "examination", had the feel of a celebration culminating years of hard work.