what's enlightenment?
just seeing the same old things
in a brand new way
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Posted: Aug 2014
About this poem:
(haiku)
The above stated may seem simplistic but it is not.
Zen is a way of seeing.
The things of everyday life remain the same.
It is one's way of seeing that changes.
The change may require years to take place.
True spiritual practice is not founded on attainment or on the miraculous, but on seeing life itself as a true miracle. In the words of a Zen master,
My magical power and miraculous gift:
Drawing water and chopping wood.
Post Comment
Sun and Wind argued fiercely with each other
as to which of them really was the stronger
Wind said at sea I toss huge ships around
and on land I blow trees and houses down
Sun said my strength is helping things grow
feeding them sunshine with its radiant glow
On the road below in view of them both
a man came walking dressed in an overcoat
They agreed after discussing with each other
that who gets the coat off will be the winner
Wind went first and blew with all his power
but the man pulled the coat on even tighter
Sun then came out in his warmth and glory
and soon the man took off the coat in a hurry
So between gentle coaxing and raw power
oftentimes the former ends up the winner
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Posted: Jul 2014
Post Comment
Author: Kahlil Gibran
Love possesses not
nor would it be possessed
for love is sufficient unto love
And think not that you can direct
the course of love
for love
if it finds you worthy
directs your course
But let there be spaces
in your togetherness
and let the winds
of the heavens
dance between you
Love one another
but make not a bond of love
Let it rather be a moving sea
between the shores of your souls
Sing and dance together
and be joyous
but let each one of you
be alone
Even as the strings of a lute
are alone
but they quiver with
the same music
And stand together
yet too near together
For the pillars of the temple
stand apart
And the oak tree and the cypress
grow not in each other's shadow
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Posted: Feb 2014
About this poem:
Quoted from "The Prophet" by Kahlil Gibran
Post Comment
If at any time in your life
you feel the desire and the
need for someone to be
a source of comfort and a
friend in all situations
I'm always around for you
sailing on the waters of life
right through the darkest hour just
behind you in fair or foul weather
Like a log on the river banks I will be
a path across for you just like a
bridge stretched from bank to bank
over the raging turbulent river
troubled by the wind churning the
water into a mass of liquid fury
I am right there at your side and
will always be there for you to
ease all your burdens and
your fears and to comfort your
mind to peace and tranquillity
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Posted: Mar 2014
About this poem:
My first WORD ACROSTIC
Post Comment
Flowers!
Lovely flowers
Nature's gift to mankind
Enchanting us with their beauty
Flowers!
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Posted: Mar 2014
About this poem:
Traditional Cinquain (5 lines)
Line 1 : 2 syllables
Line 2 : 4 syllables
Line 3 : 6 syllables
Line 4 : 8 syllables
Line 5 : 2 syllables
Post Comment
the seed carriers
nature's tree planters at work
the birds and the breeze
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Posted: Mar 2014
Post Comment
fleecy grey white clouds
like giant grains of popcorn
edged with wisps of mist
in a clear azure blue sky
glowing in brilliant sunshine
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Posted: Mar 2014
About this poem:
When selecting a poetry style, some of you may have noticed "Tanka" listed alongside "Haiku/Senryu/".
A Tanka is another short form of Japanese poem, consisting of five lines.
The first and the third lines contain 5 syllables, and the others, 7 syllables.
The full layout is:
Line one(1) - 5 syllables
Line two(2) - 7 syllables
Line three(3) - 5 syllables
Line four(4) - 7 syllables
Line five(5) - 7 syllables
It allows you more words than the traditional haiku in which to express your poem.
Some of you may want to try it.
Post Comment
dog breaks wind in sleep
awakens and sniffs the air
then bolts from the room
dog in playful mood
spinning around and around
to catch its own tail
dog sniffing the grass
searching for the perfect spot
to put down a poop
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Posted: Feb 2014
About this poem:
dedicated to dogs and dog lovers
(the funny side)
Post Comment
Beautiful melody permeating the air
Instilling precious feelings of joy and
Rapturous bliss that fills me with
Delight and ecstasy as I listen to its
Sweet serenade filling the airwaves
Overwhelming my being with
Nature's soothing music of the
Glorious splendour of birdsong
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Posted: Feb 2014
About this poem:
This is my tribute to my feathered friends whose song is so melodious, soothing and uplifting to my being. I do not need to attend a concert, or to listen to a music player, to hear their song. It is free and available for all to enjoy. It is Mother Nature's gift to us and other creatures.
Thank you, My Feathered Friends!
Post Comment
Author: Herman Hesse
Trees are sanctuaries
Whoever knows how to speak to them
whoever knows how to listen to them
can learn the truth
They do not preach learning and precepts
they preach
undeterred by particulars
the ancient law of life
When we are stricken
and cannot bear our lives any longer
then a tree has something to say to us:
Be Still! Be Still!
Look at me!
Life is not easy
Life is not difficult
Those are childish thoughts
Let God speak within you
and your thoughts will grow silent
You are anxious because your path
leads away from mother and home
But every step
and every day
lead you back again to the mother
Home is neither here nor there
Home is within you
or home is nowhere at all
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Posted: Feb 2014
About this poem:
I have read a lot of poems recently, on Poetry Corner, dealing mainly with hurt, pain and suffering, experienced by heartbreak, loneliness and other painful incidents.
You can find solace in Nature to ease your pain.
I posted a piece earlier on Birdsong.
This piece is on Trees; I hope you can feel its comforting effect as you read it, or better still, go outdoors, listen to the trees, and experience them directly. Be a tree hugger!
I came across this,on the net, as a quote from Herman Hesse
and reformatted it for posting.
Post Comment
Thunderous is the sound of Black
darkening the sky and
booming with a loud crack
Soothing is the sound of Green
leaves dancing in the breeze
and making one feel serene
Loud is the sound of Red
blood streaming from someone
screaming off her head
Silent is the sound of Blue
in a clear sunny sky which is
very tranquillizing too
Crunchy is the sound of White
icy snow lying on the ground
creating a beautiful sight
Mellow is the sound of Yellow
leaves sighing in the breeze
while falling to the earth below
Babbling is the sound of Colourless
water flowing in a rippling brook
on a ground filled with bumpiness
Boisterous is the sound of Crimson
rage from an angry mob
who pay no heed to reason
Whispering is the sound of Pink
flushed skin of sensuality
with an aphrodisiac drink
Pompous is the sound of Purple
representing royalty and
other aristocratic people
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Posted: Feb 2014
About this poem:
What sounds do you the various colours evoke in you?
Please add a verse of your own or just a plain statement.
Feel free to write on any colour, including those that I have written on. Express your view.
Use any format of your choice.
Post Comment
Some dark-skinned people seek to lighten their skin colour
By applying skin creams to make themselves fairer
Most of those creams have some chemical matter
That can cause serious health problems later
Their use is common in countries like India
Where beauty and fair skin tone go together
Girls are encouraged to avoid too much exposure
To the sunshine which can make their skins darker
But some white-skinned people who are born fairer
Are not satisfied with their natural skin colour
And wilfully seek more sunshine exposure
To get a tan and make their skins darker
For them a skin that is darkened looks better
And is more beautiful than their natural colour
Yet, for white people, sunlight overexposure
Can lead to a deadly form of skin cancer
Some animals like to wallow in muddy water
Which when dried can change their outer colour
This serves as a temperature regulator
And keeps off skin pests of one form or another
Animals do not seek to change their skin colour
To consciously make themselves fairer or darker
Such weird action is purely human in nature
In this crazy world of people's skin colour
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Posted: Dec 2013
Post Comment
This is a list of socrates44's Poems. Click here for socrates44's Poem List
online today!socrates44 Poetry (156)