Kintsugi: A Poem

I am 

A broken piece of pottery 

That the Beloved has repaired 

With the gold 

Of the forgiveness 

Of my sins. 

Blessed Be: A Poem

Blessed be 

The lovers of humanity, 

Those who see 

Its unity 

Beneath the rainbow 

Of its diversity. 

Counting Down to 2018

Two days left in 2017, 

No time to finish this year's resolutions, 

Review, reestablish, or make them anew. 

Do you remember January 2017, 

The thrill of a New Year 

And new resolutions; 

It's time to step something new, 

With renewed hope. 

The Last Motivational Monday in 2017

It is the last motivational Monday in 2017, 

It is our last chance to motivate ourselves 

To accomplish our 2017 goals, resolutions, 

Or whatever plans we made on January 1, 2017. 

It is the last motivational Monday in 2017, 

It is time to review the goal-resolutions 

We mad at the beginning of the year, 

And determine why we didn't or did 

Accomplish them 

Over the past twelve months. 

Merry Christmas, 

And Happy New Year. 

Thoughts on the New Year

Seven days until the end of the Gregorian year, 

Eighty-seven days until the end of the Badí or Bahá'í calendar, 

I have a great deal planned for the coming weeks: 

Go away fear! 

I place everything in Baha'u'llah's hands, 

Because alone I cannot accomplish any goals or plans, 

I know that God may have many things in mind, 

Therefore, I place everything in His hands 

And the hands of His Glory. 

Baha'u'llah is the Glory of God, 

The reflection of the Divine Unknowable Essence 

To humanity. 

On the Eve of My Birthday

On the eve of my 71st birthday, 

I contemplate the last five years, 

And my plans 

To visit Mama's grave 

On my December 24. 

On the eve of my birthday, 

I think about how much 

I miss Mama, 

How much I miss celebrating 

My birthday 

With her. 

On the even if my birthday, 

I sigh 

When I think about 

Commemorating 

My birthday 

At her grave. 

Winter

The first day of winter approaches, 

And the temperatures fall 

Toward the single digits. 

Will winter solstice 

Bring us the first freeze? 

I check the temperature app 

On my phone, 

It reads 55 degrees 

As lunch time nears, 

But last night 

The temperatures descended into 

The mid 40s. 

Living a Baha'i Life

To live a Baha'i life 

One must live one day at a time. 

To live a Baha'i life  

One must strive to live as Baha'u'llah commands. 

To live a Baha'i life  

One must take one step at a time. 

To live a Baha'i life  

One must intone a teaching prayer each day. 

To live a Baha'i life  

One must plant seeds one heart at a time.