The birds in space

Title and Artist:  M. C. Escher

the birds inked the sky with their plumes  

as if they knew a secret that i don't know of

cut from the same hewn, like school of fish, 

they cocked their heads in perfect angle    

hovering in mid-city sky, taupe and white

wingtips pointing to the same direction & fate  --  

i listen closely, my nostrils prickling at

their steadfast sentiments, the shape of squares   

reminding me of my mother's shawl  

now folded neatly in a drawer with her rosary -- 

shaking their feathers in a final wave,   

i see one thousand birds soaring in unison,

to a place I have yet to go --
leaving me, rooted with questions,

& pondering my next step

Posted for OpenLinkNight of Imaginary Garden with Real Toads - every Monday

and Sunday's Challenge:  Ekphrasis 

and D'verse Poets Pub - every Tuesday

Ekphrasis is the graphic, often dramatic, description of a visual work of art. The word comes from the Greek ek and phrasis, 'out' and 'speak' respectively, and as a verb it means to proclaim or call an inanimate object by name. 

If God Should Go On Strike

It's just a good thing God above

Has never gone on strike

Because He wasn't treated fair

Or found things He didn't like

If He ever once sat down and said

"That's it, I'm through,

I've had enough of those on earth

So this is what I'll do

I'll give my orders to the sun

Cut off your heat supply

And to the moon give no more light

And let the sea run dry

Then just to make it tough

And put the pressure on

I'll turn off the air and oxygen, till

Till every breath is gone"

Men say they want a better deal

And so on strike they go

But what a deal we've given God

To whom everything we owe

We don't care who we hurt or harm

To gain the things we like

But what a mess we'd all be in

If God should go on strike.

~anonymous~

Author's Note:   Canada Post is still on strike.   No, it is not good but we are coping with it.   The longer it gets, you actually can find that you manage without it's services.

Poetry credit:  


http://theworksofhope.blogspot.com/2011/06/if-god-should-go-on-strike.html

Footprints in the sand

I came across this poem when I was a young girl.    I thought then that when God carries me, that he will magically solve all my problems and all my cares will be gone.   Now that I have a family and daily challenges to cope, both at home and at work, I know realize how fortunate I am to have a Divine Hand to guide me, comfort me and hold me close to His Bosom.   Not that all my problems will disappear like magic, but it is comforting to know that there is someone helping me carry my burdens and cares.   Through the kindness and good deeds of loved ones, friends, and even strangers, we can feel His comforting and merciful Hand. 

One night I had a dream.


I dreamed I was walking along the beach


with the Lord.


Across the sky flashed scenes from my life..


For each scene, I noticed two sets of


footprints in the sand,


one belonging to me, and the other to the Lord..

When the last scene of my life flashed before me,


I looked back at the footprints in the sand.


I noticed that many times along the path of my life


there was only one set of footprints.


I also noticed that it happened at the very lowest


and saddest times in my life.


This really bothered me


and I questioned the Lord about it:


"Lord, you said that once I decided to follow you,


you'd walk with me all the way.


But I have noticed that during the most


troublesome times in my life


there is only one set of footprints.


I don't understand why


when I need you most you would leave me."


The Lord replied:


"My precious child, I love you and would


never leave you.


During your times of trial and suffering,


when you see only one set of footprints, it was then


that I carried you."



poem by Mary Stevenson


Picture credit:   Luke Tscharke

http://www.luketscharke.com/index.php?showimage=14

The same tree, the same humanity

Since I live in a multi cultural city in Canada, I am always amaze of how different people are and yet are also alike in a lot of ways. Sure, we originally came from different countries, race and upbringing, and it is reflected in our food and clothing, and also religious faith, if any.  But once you get to know individuals and families, you discover that you share the same values, and appreciation for life and your country.    As a mom, I share the same concerns with any mom with a growing teen daughter.    As a working professional, I share the same health and family concerns like other working women.  In the broader context, I believe in freedom of expression so I sympathize with other people in other countries who want to break away from political tyranny and oppression.   It is heartening to realize that you and other individuals share the same compassion and sadness when others are hurt and suffering, and happiness, when families, teams and countries come together for peace and understanding.

Also, because I believe that despite our external differences, sometime back in ancient times, all of us are connected or related in one way or another.   If we can appreciate this, then perhaps we can be more tolerant of each other's differences and learn to co-exist more peacefully.

Do you agree that at one time, we all came from the same tree?

Picture Credit:  Luke Tscharke

http://www.luketscharke.com/index.php?showimage=80

The world’s end is coming ?

If one reads the headlines in the news today (Japan's earthquake and nuclear crisis, unrest in Libya and Syria), you would think that the naysayers are right - world's end is coming soon.   I read it might come in 2012?

Well, I actually have heard about the world's doom and gloom prediction every few years, beginning when I heard it from my grandma when I was in my teens.  I was so scared then, and started praying so hard.   It also spooked out my family that we had a rosary, holy water and candles in the rooms in case the earth is covered in total darkness.  Well, I now have a family of my own and world is still spinning day in and day out.   I mean, who can really tell when the world will end?

We can live in fear and get paralyzed into inaction and negative end-of-the-world-thoughts, if we allow gloom and doom predictions to prevail our life.    I am amuse to read that business is brisk with survival kits and things in preparation for next year.   The funniest I have heard is someone building an ark like what Noah did to survive the 2012 end of the world event. 

For me, end of the world or not, we live each day to the best that we can, and leave our worries and cares to the God Above.

"Every evening I turn my worries over to God. He's going to be up all night anyway." 

-Mary C. Crowley

Tell me if you guys believe that the world is coming to an end by 2012 and I am crazy not to believe it.  

Photo credit:   http://www.drg-photography.com/2009/08/11/a-black-rock/

The Serenity Prayer

With all the tragic events happening in other countries (e.g. earthquakes in NZ, unrest in Egypt and Libya), my heart goes out to everyone who needs our help and prayers.  May our brothers and sisters find peace and strength to live their lives meaningfully and courageously despite their challenges and circumstances.

God grant me the serenity

to accept the things I cannot change;
courage to change the things I can;
and wisdom to know the difference.

Living one day at a time;

Enjoying one moment at a time;

Accepting hardships as the pathway to peace;
Taking, as He did, this sinful world as it is, not as I would have it;
Trusting that He will make all things right if I surrender to His Will;
That I may be reasonably happy in this life and supremely happy with Him.
Forever in the next.

Amen.

quote from : Reinhold Niebuhr

Photo credit:  Luke Tscharke

http://www.get-a-glimpse.com/atomPhotoBlog.php?do=show&photoId=922

The obstacle is the path

We can get lost and go into many stumbling blocks in our journey through life.
But if we believe in ourselves and in the Divine Hand that guides us, we will always find our footing, pace and direction.   Oftentimes, the path becomes clear after going through the challenges and “obstacles” along the way.

“The obstacle is the path.”

Zen Proverb
Baltic Sea Picture

Picture credit: http://anton-agarkov.livejournal.com/65726.html?view=881854#t881854

Encourage others

Did I encourage someone today?

Student says “I am very discouraged. What should I do?”

Master says, “Encourage others.”

In reaching out to another person who needs our help, or simply just to cheer them on, we also feel uplifted.    In giving out a warm embrace or pat in the back to others, we also feel comforted.

And then we get to see that our problems and concerns are minor, compared to others.


Zen Quote
Photo credit:   19miracles.tumblr