Desiderata - Etched onto my heart

I have written once about my trouble with poems and with "getting the point".  Some, however, go straight through!  I have been so moved by Desiderata since the moment I read it for the first time about a week ago!  Since then, I have it open in a window on my computer at all times.  I feel like it may have found a place for itself in my home too.

It's already etched onto my heart!

Go placidly amid the noise and haste,
and remember what peace there may be in silence.

As far as possible without surrender
be on good terms with all persons.
Speak your truth quietly and clearly;
and listen to others,
even the dull and the ignorant;
they too have their story.
Avoid loud and aggressive persons,
they are vexations to the spirit.

If you compare yourself with others,
you may become vain or bitter;
for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.

Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.
Keep interested in your own career, however humble;
it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.
Exercise caution in your business affairs;
for the world is full of trickery.
But let this not blind you to what virtue there is;
many persons strive for high ideals;
and everywhere life is full of heroism.

Be yourself.
Especially, do not feign affection.
Neither be cynical about love;
for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment
it is as perennial as the grass.

Take kindly the counsel of the years,
gracefully surrendering the things of youth.
Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune.
But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings.
Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.

Beyond a wholesome discipline,
be gentle with yourself.
You are a child of the universe,
no less than the trees and the stars;
you have a right to be here.
And whether or not it is clear to you,
no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.

Therefore be at peace with God,
whatever you conceive Him to be,
and whatever your labors and aspirations,
in the noisy confusion of life keep peace with your soul.

With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams,
it is still a beautiful world.
Be cheerful.
Strive to be happy.

:)

Says love...

Poems.  They always make me nervous.  I just assume I won't get the "real message".  Sometimes, I get lost in the metaphor, which in itself is ironic considering how metaphoric I often get myself.  If I read a difficult poem again and again, it may begin to speak to me.  But most times, I never give it that chance, primarily because I have already decided that I don't get poems.

Having said that, I do love good poetry.  Anyone who knows me well knows how important the lyrics of a song are to me.  I have also, a long time ago, written some Urdu couplets, known as sher or shayari in Urdu.  So it's not that I don't get poetry at all; I suppose the medium may have something to do with it.  And perhaps language.  I find I'm more comfortable with Hindi/Urdu poetry than English.  English is, after all, my second language.

Obviously then, I've never intentionally "read" poetry.  I have never bought poetry books.  Anything I may have I probably got in a garage sale back when I didn't really know what it was that I enjoyed reading most.  Even hearing someone read a poem - I capture only parts of it.  Often I'm unable to visualize or relate to what's being read.  I struggle to stay with the poem.  I forgive myself now for it, but until recently that used to frustrate me a little!

So, when a new friend from my writing workshop, The Moving Pen, told me about a German poet, Erich Fried, I didn't think much of it.  She sent me a link to the English translations of some of his poems.  She said one of them was about the expression that is also the title of my blog.  Here's the poem:

What it is

It is nonsense
says reason
it is what it is
says love

It is misfortune
says calculation
It is nothing but pain
says fear
It is hopeless
says insight
It is what it is
says love

It is ridiculous
says pride
It is careless
says caution
It is impossible
says experience
It is what it is
says love 

Sigh!!  If you know me, you'd have some idea of how that made me feel! :))  It was such a refreshing reminder that poetry doesn't have to be a play on complex, rarely used words - it can be simple, and still have depth nonetheless! 

Thanks Jess! :)