National Poetry Month: Rise

It is, again, #NationalPoetryMonth. 2016, the new year brings with it many hopes, goals, dreams, along with their uncertainties. Uncertainties often point to new learning, what we need to discover, develop, assimilate, even change. New learning results in growth, adaptation. 

Growth and adaptation are simply the triumph of innate resources over environmental conditions with help from enrichment and privileges. Inspired by an image of the lofty redwoods, and all the implications of gravity, our rich Earth, and space travel, here is an untitled poem dedicated to the triumph of nature and humanity. It venerates the strength we derive from superceding the power of what either keeps us grounded or keeps us from transcending.

‎I rise.

Gravity keeps me grounded,

And still I RISE.‎

Strength of the Redwood via dailyword.com

Rooted in the nourishing Earth,
I reach outward, upward,
for that blue,
the sky.

I Am Strong.‎

I stand majestic.

Towering.

Reaching for the stars

And beyond.

I rise.‎
©2016

How has Poetry enriched your life? What lofty ideals has it inspired you to stretch for? Which poets keep you grounded? Which ones stir your soul? 

‎

2011

“In the midst of our lives, we must find the magic that makes our souls soar”

~Evelyn Beilenson

NEW YEAR'S EVE 2011. Time is a construct. Our calendars can be changed at will (Samoa just nixed Friday entirely), our seasons may not. There is nothing inherently magical or transcendent about the changing of time, at the stroke of midnight, that ushers in a new day, a new year, or a new millenium. Our thinking makes it so. Our thinking makes it so, because our thoughts have power.

We must remember that what we see is mostly a perspective, a position taken based upon an idea. There are as many meaningful perspectives as there are sentient minds. Perspectives are meaningful inasmuch as they are suited for the purpose at hand.

Ideas, a perspective taken on something that matters, have the power to change the way we see what is, and how we act upon that perspective. Time is one such idea, and as we've already seen time marks change, and we can change time at will. Our ideas matter. Our ideas can change. We can change.


Remember, there is nothing inherently magical or transcendent about the changing of time, at the stroke of midnight, that ushers in a new day, a new year, or a new millenium. Our thinking makes it so. Our thinking makes it so, because our thoughts have power. We can thoughtfully use our power to reflect on the events and experience we shared in 2011, our triumphs and our struggles, the rewards and disappointments. We can dare to challenge assumptions, and see what is. We can accept consequences, and change at will. We can declare new intentions, and expect results. And we can be gentle to ourselves in doing so.

Twenty-twelve, 2012: let us be ready to be transcendent in the coming year. Let is be ready to accept all the good coming our way, and let us be ready to be gracious in dealing with the consequences of our choices. Let us be ready to change our challenges for the better, and make the best of our good.

May 2012 be all that you declare it to be, with good for all concerned. Happy New Year!

Photo credits are linked to images found on the internet.