Peace for the Soul2024-03-29T15:14:08Zdesmond dillonhttps://peaceformeandtheworld.ning.com/profile/desmonddillonhttps://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2535700215?profile=RESIZE_48X48&width=48&height=48&crop=1%3A1https://peaceformeandtheworld.ning.com/forum/topic/listForContributor?groupUrl=peace-poetry&user=2uktta8k7czz2&feed=yes&xn_auth=nocould you embrace that?tag:peaceformeandtheworld.ning.com,2024-03-06:5143044:Topic:4652312024-03-06T12:50:46.589Zdesmond dillonhttps://peaceformeandtheworld.ning.com/profile/desmonddillon
<p></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">I said to God, 'let me love you.'</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">and He replied, 'which part?'</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">'All of you, all of you' I said .</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">'Dear' God spoke, 'you are as a mouse wanting to impregnate</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">a tiger who is not even in heat. It is a feat way…</p>
<p></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">I said to God, 'let me love you.'</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">and He replied, 'which part?'</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">'All of you, all of you' I said .</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">'Dear' God spoke, 'you are as a mouse wanting to impregnate</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">a tiger who is not even in heat. It is a feat way</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">beyond your courage and strength.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">You would run from me if I removed my mask.'</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">I said to God again,</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">'Beloved I need to love you- every aspect, every pore.'</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">And this time God said,</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">'There is a hidden blemish on my body,</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">though it is such an infinitesimal part of my Being-</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">could you kiss that if it were revealed?'</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">'I will try Lord, I will try.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">And then God said,</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">'That blemish is all the hatred</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">and cruelty in this world.'</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">*</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">St. Thomas Aquinas 13th Cent.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">.</p> if i must dietag:peaceformeandtheworld.ning.com,2023-12-08:5143044:Topic:4623272023-12-08T16:58:08.304Zdesmond dillonhttps://peaceformeandtheworld.ning.com/profile/desmonddillon
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"> if i must die</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">you must live</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">to tell my story</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">to sell my things</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"> to buy a piece of cloth</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">and some strings,</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">{make it white with a long tail}</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">so that a child, somewhere in Gaza…</p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"> if i must die</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">you must live</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">to tell my story</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">to sell my things</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"> to buy a piece of cloth</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">and some strings,</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">{make it white with a long tail}</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">so that a child, somewhere in Gaza</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">while looking heaven in the eye</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">awaiting his dad who left in a blaze</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">and bid no one farewell</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">not even to his flesh</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">not even to himself,</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">sees the kite, my kite you made,</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">flying up above</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">and thinks for a moment</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">an angel is there bringing back love</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">If i must die</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">let it bring hope</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">let it be a tail.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Prof. Refaat al-Areer.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">december 2023</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">*</p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p> </p> by the roadside, on the planet ~ poemtag:peaceformeandtheworld.ning.com,2023-08-21:5143044:Topic:4585552023-08-21T16:49:28.941Zdesmond dillonhttps://peaceformeandtheworld.ning.com/profile/desmonddillon
<p>by the roadside, on the planet ~</p>
<p>by the roadside<br></br> blue chicory is singing<br></br> delicate queen anne's lace is dancing<br></br> bright yellow hawk eye is celebrating</p>
<p>if flowers can rejoice in life<br></br> can't we humans too ?</p>
<p>or are we too complex<br></br> caught up in our heads<br></br> to rejoice in the majesty of being<br></br> I hope not</p>
<p>let's admire, appreciate, honor<br></br> and just Be<br></br> one in love with the gift<br></br> of our lives on earth<br></br>
for the short time we are…</p>
<p>by the roadside, on the planet ~</p>
<p>by the roadside<br/> blue chicory is singing<br/> delicate queen anne's lace is dancing<br/>
bright yellow hawk eye is celebrating</p>
<p>if flowers can rejoice in life<br/> can't we humans too ?</p>
<p>or are we too complex<br/> caught up in our heads<br/> to rejoice in the majesty of being<br/>
I hope not</p>
<p>let's admire, appreciate, honor<br/> and just Be<br/> one in love with the gift<br/>
of our lives on earth<br/>
for the short time we are each given<br/>
by the roadside, on the planet</p>
<p>~ janice barden wilson</p> focus and distractiontag:peaceformeandtheworld.ning.com,2023-08-21:5143044:Topic:4587392023-08-21T16:14:54.447Zdesmond dillonhttps://peaceformeandtheworld.ning.com/profile/desmonddillon
<p style="text-align: center;"></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">focus and distraction had a dance </p>
<p style="text-align: center;"></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">followed by a tug of war </p>
<p style="text-align: center;"></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">then finally they began to fight </p>
<p style="text-align: center;"></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">and one was left cold upon the floor. …</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">focus and distraction had a dance </p>
<p style="text-align: center;"></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">followed by a tug of war </p>
<p style="text-align: center;"></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">then finally they began to fight </p>
<p style="text-align: center;"></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">and one was left cold upon the floor. </p>
<p style="text-align: center;"></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">*</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"> </p> almighty peacetag:peaceformeandtheworld.ning.com,2023-04-30:5143044:Topic:4538892023-04-30T09:17:23.019Zdesmond dillonhttps://peaceformeandtheworld.ning.com/profile/desmonddillon
<p style="text-align: center;"></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">almighty peace is alive and well </p>
<p style="text-align: center;">living in numerous bodies </p>
<p style="text-align: center;">on the planet earth. </p>
<p style="text-align: center;">before this dome turns into hell </p>
<p style="text-align: center;">us need to know </p>
<p style="text-align: center;">a way thru' to </p>
<p style="text-align: center;">fulfillment</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">is a kiss we won't…</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">almighty peace is alive and well </p>
<p style="text-align: center;">living in numerous bodies </p>
<p style="text-align: center;">on the planet earth. </p>
<p style="text-align: center;">before this dome turns into hell </p>
<p style="text-align: center;">us need to know </p>
<p style="text-align: center;">a way thru' to </p>
<p style="text-align: center;">fulfillment</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">is a kiss we won't miss </p>
<p style="text-align: center;">if we dance thru'</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Nows door with our heart.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">*</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"></p> a spring song ~ poemtag:peaceformeandtheworld.ning.com,2023-04-18:5143044:Topic:4533962023-04-18T14:50:35.927Zdesmond dillonhttps://peaceformeandtheworld.ning.com/profile/desmonddillon
<p>><br></br> > <br></br> > a spring song ~<br></br> ><br></br>
> miracles abounding, surrounding<br></br>
> in spring it is so obvious<br></br>
> everything coming back to life<br></br>
> after the long dormant time of winter<br></br>
><br></br>
> the early spring flowers, crocus, daffodils,<br></br>
> hyacinths,tulips, bursting forth<br></br>
> trees like willow are the earliest<br></br>
> to send forth tiny tender green leaves<br></br>
><br></br>
> the grass is greening , some can't seem<br></br>
> to…</p>
<p>><br/> > <br/> > a spring song ~<br/>
><br/>
> miracles abounding, surrounding<br/>
> in spring it is so obvious<br/>
> everything coming back to life<br/>
> after the long dormant time of winter<br/>
><br/>
> the early spring flowers, crocus, daffodils,<br/>
> hyacinths,tulips, bursting forth<br/>
> trees like willow are the earliest<br/>
> to send forth tiny tender green leaves<br/>
><br/>
> the grass is greening , some can't seem<br/>
> to wait for the first mow<br/>
> little patches of violets discovered here and there<br/>
> singing, singing, singing, flowers of light<br/>
><br/>
> in the forest the ephemerals rise up<br/>
> spring beauty, trilliums, trout lily, mayapple, and more<br/>
> they must do their dance before the leaves<br/>
> on the trees above shade them out<br/>
><br/>
> it's a symphony, a song, a dance<br/>
> a huge fantastical wonderment<br/>
> yes, miraculous !<br/>
><br/>
> the nests , eggs, newborn birdies<br/>
> bunnies, opossums, raccoons, skunks<br/>
> critters of all sorts giving birth<br/>
><br/>
> frogs , snakes, fish , turtles<br/>
> revive in the warmth<br/>
> deer, fawn, foxes, coyotes<br/>
><br/>
> new energy of being arises in us all<br/>
> in the glorious time of spring<br/>
> sing it , dance it , love it<br/>
><br/>
> my body, heart, spirit, celebrate<br/>
> I love , I live , I rejoice<br/>
><br/>
> in the spring of me and all<br/>
> wonders of creation, me and you being one<br/>
><br/>
> one that can consciously observe<br/>
> in great glorious gratitude<br/>
><br/>
> in admiration , appreciation<br/>
> for the opportunity to see and Be<br/>
><br/>
> ~ janice barden wilson<br/>
></p> soldier of the hearttag:peaceformeandtheworld.ning.com,2022-09-22:5143044:Topic:4071512022-09-22T12:20:53.078Zdesmond dillonhttps://peaceformeandtheworld.ning.com/profile/desmonddillon
<p> </p>
<p>the day that they turned old enough </p>
<p>my brothers went to war, </p>
<p>the same way that our father did before us. </p>
<p>when the army sent them overseas </p>
<p>they seemed pretty glad to go, </p>
<p>with their uniforms and guns they looked decorous.</p>
<p></p>
<p>but the hardships of a soldier's life </p>
<p>never called out to me, </p>
<p>i was buddha, i could see,</p>
<p>i was moses on the hill, </p>
<p>with no commandments, </p>
<p>though i felt sure that cosmic…</p>
<p> </p>
<p>the day that they turned old enough </p>
<p>my brothers went to war, </p>
<p>the same way that our father did before us. </p>
<p>when the army sent them overseas </p>
<p>they seemed pretty glad to go, </p>
<p>with their uniforms and guns they looked decorous.</p>
<p></p>
<p>but the hardships of a soldier's life </p>
<p>never called out to me, </p>
<p>i was buddha, i could see,</p>
<p>i was moses on the hill, </p>
<p>with no commandments, </p>
<p>though i felt sure that cosmic lore </p>
<p>was looking out for me and would never be denied,</p>
<p>i had a restlessness to still </p>
<p>and a longing to fulfil </p>
<p>and i couldn't say what that signified. </p>
<p></p>
<p>so i set off most cheerfully,</p>
<p>the love of God to find,</p>
<p>my eyes were round and kind </p>
<p>my hands were soft and fine </p>
<p>and people that i met </p>
<p>were the kind of folk who get </p>
<p>over sadness and sorrow very quickly.</p>
<p>for some time things looked promising,</p>
<p>i felt like i was free,</p>
<p>it was happening for me,</p>
<p>my saintly guarantee, </p>
<p>the plum was ripe and ready for my picking.</p>
<p></p>
<p>then in this time of wandering </p>
<p>i heard about a man </p>
<p>who was showing what it meant </p>
<p>to get everything you can out of life </p>
<p>and find the meaning for existing.</p>
<p></p>
<p>when i asked him for the thing he knew, </p>
<p>he taught me most freely,</p>
<p>he had generosity and encouragement for me, </p>
<p>his desire to set me free was all persisting.</p>
<p></p>
<p>but that strange sense of restlessness </p>
<p>meant more than i had known.</p>
<p>wasn't just a noise </p>
<p>that dogs make when barking.</p>
<p>it was every way this strange world has </p>
<p>to destroy the peace of mind </p>
<p>and the innocence of children to darken.</p>
<p></p>
<p>you may say i got more </p>
<p>than i bargained for, </p>
<p>to put it succinctly,</p>
<p>his whole priority </p>
<p>was to awaken.</p>
<p>he said, 'one day you will know why</p>
<p>i started early as i did.'</p>
<p>and i learned how far along i had been taken.</p>
<p></p>
<p>you can dream about a holiday,</p>
<p>look forward all the year,</p>
<p>but when the time draws near,</p>
<p>the true reality</p>
<p>is far greater than the sum of all imaginings.</p>
<p></p>
<p>though i did not know it at the time,</p>
<p>i joined the ranks that day.</p>
<p>a place was made for me</p>
<p>and i became</p>
<p>a soldier of the heart.</p>
<p></p>
<p> ***</p>
<p></p>
<p>by Chris Hammerton</p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p> borrowed timetag:peaceformeandtheworld.ning.com,2022-07-11:5143044:Topic:3884192022-07-11T12:30:43.096Zdesmond dillonhttps://peaceformeandtheworld.ning.com/profile/desmonddillon
<p> </p>
<p style="text-align: center;">i borrowed some time</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">and then i borrowed some more</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">until my debt was so great </p>
<p style="text-align: center;">and i was so poor</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">i couldn't ever pay back</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">in the coin of the realm </p>
<p style="text-align: center;">the love that i owed for my time.…</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"></p>
<p> </p>
<p style="text-align: center;">i borrowed some time</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">and then i borrowed some more</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">until my debt was so great </p>
<p style="text-align: center;">and i was so poor</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">i couldn't ever pay back</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">in the coin of the realm </p>
<p style="text-align: center;">the love that i owed for my time.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">*</p> Simultaneous Awakeningtag:peaceformeandtheworld.ning.com,2022-06-10:5143044:Topic:3870762022-06-10T21:05:49.908Zdesmond dillonhttps://peaceformeandtheworld.ning.com/profile/desmonddillon
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p> <span style="font-size: 14pt;">Both sides rush to the other with tears in their eyes</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> Hugging, grasping each other's shoulders, weeping, laughing</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> They see the error in their own ways, in each other's ways</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> But that's all over, trashed, the awakening was not only spontaneous . . . . .…</span></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p> <span style="font-size: 14pt;">Both sides rush to the other with tears in their eyes</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> Hugging, grasping each other's shoulders, weeping, laughing</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> They see the error in their own ways, in each other's ways</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> But that's all over, trashed, the awakening was not only spontaneous . . . . .</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> <strong>It was simultaneous</strong></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> The joyous will to make progress as one clear minded people the revelation</span></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> Sure, it is the ego that get mad, takes offense, and competes.</span></p>
<p></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> Remember, it's as well the ego that forgives, knows shame, </span></p>
<p></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> yearns for compassion</span></p>
<p></p>
<p></p> Spring Ephemerals ~ poemtag:peaceformeandtheworld.ning.com,2022-04-29:5143044:Topic:3854182022-04-29T23:03:59.944Zdesmond dillonhttps://peaceformeandtheworld.ning.com/profile/desmonddillon
<p>Spring Ephemerals ~</p>
<p>the earliest of the spring singers<br></br> trilliums in red or white , tri , tri , tri<br></br> 3 leaves , 3 petals , 3 sepals<br></br> trout lilies with their sunny yellow heads<br></br>
delicate little spring beauties<br></br>
with a sweet tender scent<br></br>
mayflowers-hepatica with heart shaped leaves<br></br>
flowering in hues of pink, white , lavender<br></br>
bloodroot pops up abundantly,<br></br>
dutchman beeches a more rare sighting<br></br>
pretty rue anemone , silly…</p>
<p>Spring Ephemerals ~</p>
<p>the earliest of the spring singers<br/> trilliums in red or white , tri , tri , tri<br/> 3 leaves , 3 petals , 3 sepals<br/>
trout lilies with their sunny yellow heads<br/>
delicate little spring beauties<br/>
with a sweet tender scent<br/>
mayflowers-hepatica with heart shaped leaves<br/>
flowering in hues of pink, white , lavender<br/>
bloodroot pops up abundantly,<br/>
dutchman beeches a more rare sighting<br/>
pretty rue anemone , silly jack-in-the-pulpit<br/>
in the swamps bright , shiny, yellow patches of cowslips<br/>
dainty wild red columbine hanging sweetly<br/>
fun mayapple- umbrella plants bring out the kid in us</p>
<p>ephemerals - coming and going quickly<br/> but aren't we ephemerals too ?<br/> we aren't on earth very long<br/>
most people are shocked at a loss<br/>
when loved ones pass<br/>
like they thought we'd all be here forever<br/>
if only we knew how to live<br/>
how to really appreciate life<br/>
while we have it<br/>
celebrating , being real<br/>
we'd deeply understand it's gift<br/>
and grieve no longer<br/>
but just be lovers of life<br/>
not dis attracted , but attracted<br/>
to life's inner most glory<br/>
our ephemeral but eternal , being within<br/>
to the glory of life, the divine in us<br/>
with deepest gratitude<br/>
we ephemerally Be</p>
<p>~ janice barden wilson</p>