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Arteries and Prince of Peace

Be thou as a throbbing artery, pulsating in the body of the entire creation,
that through the heat generated by this motion there
may appear that which will quicken the hearts of those who hesitate.
~ Bahá’u'lláh

No time to feel the heat of words
That burn bridges between teenagers.

No time to feel the numbness of
Those who have used words
To destroy
Those who have read them
As they tried to shut out
Loneliness.

Only time to quicken, quicken
The entire creation,
Only time
To think of the brightness of the sky
Filled with cool cool moon
And warm warm sun.

No time to hesitate
Hand raised high
We’ll take on that challenge
To quicken hearts

When the morning arrives

We know some brilliance in the day
Awaits
Something, someone, is waiting there
Knowing how to make
Us feel the throb of hope.

© June Perkins all rights reserved.

Prince of Peace

“Wither can a lover go but to the land of his beloved.”

There he is
I can’t see his smile
Just a fuzzy outline from a window

But he is near

So near I could run up the stairs
And sit at his feet

But the door is closed

Not by him but be others

Everyday I am in this city
I will stand here on the corner
Thinking ‘there he is’

I can feel his smile

It enters my bones
The pith of me
And my core calls out

I am sure he knows
I’m here and he would
Take my soul and make it whole in his presence

The rumour of his life
And words have moved me
To journey here

I am not disappointed
For his kindness falls
From that window

You can feel its presence
In every leaf falling
Every rose blooming
In each footfall

You know his purity is
No rumour

There he is

I am sure his breath is clearing the city of pollution
And sorrow

I can see others smiles
Raised to his honour
And his footfalls say I am lesser even than the earth

And in that lies his greatness
Yet he is not abased
This pure mirror

Reflecting glories
One can only long to
Feel the silhouettes of

He is truly here
This promised one
Fifth Buddha, Lord of Host
Prince of Peace

His light is touching
Each footfall
Each trees shadow

Each face is left beaming
Each heart is left yearning

For the suggestion of his presence in their cities.

I remember the scent of oranges and it
Reminds me I must return

I rejoice
For I was so near

I offered prayers for his safety
For the glory of his mission
For everyone to be near to him

Unwillingly
I will take my feet away
And leave my soul forever dedicated

No city can contain him
No prison imprison him
Remoteness from him would be unbearable

And even though I only
Saw mostly influencing
Extending out its hand
I can feel his breath
Permeates every corner here

When I leave
I will carry that breath
On my sleeves
In my hair
Within my heart

And whisper it to you
My love.

© June Perkins all rights reserved

Image by June Perkins all rights reserved.

More notes on teaching Baha’i Class coming soon

Coat of Forgiveness

…let your adorning be forgiveness and mercy and that which cheereth
the hearts of the well favoured of God.’
Baha’u’llah

Putting on the coat of forgiveness
Each button done up releases the pain
That came from others disdain.

Putting on the shoes of forgiveness
I walk straight by those who did me wrong
Free at last from the chains.

All that was done does not touch me now
As I am shaded in my hat of forgiveness
The sun that reaches me now
Why it’s the sun of forgiveness

Cupping the light of that in my hands
I dig deep and let go of all the pain
Throw it out to the wind
Let it be taken out to the ocean.

The sea breeze blows out mercy
Wraps me in hope from the sky
Stitches beads of happiness
All over my coat of forgiveness.

(c) all rights reserved June Perkins

I’ll be writing last terms experiences up soon, so watch this space. Thanks for all the teachers who have been contacting me for information. All the best with your classes.

I am working from Book 3A Ruhi this term, and adapting it for grade 3 level, and will throw a few extra stories from Brilliant Star in. Looking forward to doing some more drama and songs with the kids. The above poem is based on the first quote in book 3A.

June

Eclipse and Moon and Fire

- written for the longest solar eclipse of the 21st century

The solar eclipse attracts the human tide
Flooding into villagers homes
Are they looking for an eternal guide?

They gather to watch the sun spirits hide
They count down to 6 minutes and 31 seconds of darkness
The solar eclipse attracts the human tide.

The hosts to visitors have their pride.
They take in the searchers who have arrived
Are they looking for an eternal guide?

Prayer halls spires call people from the outside
‘Don’t look up directly’- call out the holy ones
The solar eclipse attracts the human tide.

They know that the sun will not long hide.
Darkness will leave them far behind.
Are they looking for an eternal guide?

The moon between the sun will glide.
The celebrations have already begun.
The solar eclipse attracts the human tide.
Are they looking for an eternal guide?

(c) all rights reserved June Perkins

This is an example of a villanelle, it’s been a long time since I attempted one of these.

Villanelle

Look into the flame
What do you see?
Do you see stories
of how the fire came to be?

Look up to the moon what do you imagine?
The bush lemon looks so much bigger
From this angle
It could roll away the moon.

Dad has put some bush lemons
Into the fire
The moon has had the final laugh.

 

(c) Words and Images June Perkins