The Penultimate of April 2017

Jalál {Glory), 3 Jamál (Beauty), 147 BE - Saturday, April 29, 2017 CE about 5:09 PM Pacific Daylight Time 

On the second to the last day of April 2017, 

I learned two new words: 

The first penultimate, 

Meaning next to last or second to last, 

And the second

is anthropogenic, 

Which refers to something 

(such as pollution or climate change) 

Caused by human activity. 

Gratitude List for Thursday, April 27, 2017

Istijlál (Majesty), 1 Jamál (Beauty), 147 BE - Thursday, April 27, 2017 CE about 3:47 PM Pacific Daylight time

Today I am thankful...
01. ...that I am not homeless;
02. ...for the prayer "God sufficeth" revealed by the Bab;
02. ...that I had help paying the rent in April;
03. ...for the tomatoes I purchased yesterday at the Farmer's Market.
04. ...that poem Modern Times was feature in this weeks writing.com poetry newsletter.
05. ...for the Arizona Southern Style Sweet Tea I have to drink this after noon.
06. ...that I was able to transfer $10.00 from my PayPal account to my bank account.
07. ...for finding a title for a poem about the ninth Day of Ridvan. The title is "The Day of Happiness".
08. ...that I have finished installment 36 of a 45 part series called "Story of Abraham" on bahaiteachings.org.
09. ... for the fresh brewed Folgers Black Silk coffee I drink this morning.
10. ...that I can take a picture with my phone and then e-mail the photo to myself or a friend.

Sunday Thoughts

Jamál (Beauty), 16 Jalál (Glory), 147 BE - Sunday, April 23 2017 CE about 5:46 PM Pacific Daylight Time 

I contemplate the beauty 

Of another Sunday afternoon 

As April draws to an end. 

April a month of stress 

Mixed with moments of happiness, 

A couple of epiphanies, 

And a bit of depression. 

One epiphany: 

I can depend on no one 

Except God, Baha'u'llah and myself. 

Contemplating a Good Day

Jalál {Glory), 15 Jalál (Glory), 147 BE - Saturday, April 22, 2017 CE about 5:34 PM Pacific Daylight Time 

It's been a good day, 

Not a great day, 

But a good day. 

I wrote a poem and accomplished several reviews on writing.com. I watched a video on YouTube called Baha'u'llah – The Secret of the Century. I posted on Facebook about my entry in my writing.com blog. I decided that I need to start walking again. This time of year, because of my allergies, I have difficulty making myself walk. I'm beginning to think that just an excuse and not a reason. On Sunday, after I finish one mug of coffee and a moon pie, I'll take a short walk around the corner and back. 

Life is Weird

Istiqlál (Independence), 14 Jalál (Glory), 147 BE - Friday, April 21, 2017 CE about 2:30 PM Pacific Daylight Time 

Life is weird! I need to clarify that statement. I started to write a poem about garbage and ended up writing a poem about editing. I know that one subject has very little to do with the other. The garbage poem started with a line about recycling and somehow (I'm not quite sure how) the thought of editing came up. The thought of editing lead to removing words from a paragraph and that ended up with thoughts about recycling the words into a poem. 

I still need to write the poem about garbage. I'm just not sure where to start. I think that was the problem when I begin the poem which is why I ended up writing a poem about editing. I'll have to meditate and pray about the subject before starting the poem again. 

An Awesome Day

Istijlál (Majesty), 13 Jalál (Glory), 147 BE - Thursday, April 20, 2017 CE about 5:49 PM Pacific Daylight Time 

It's the First day of Ridvan (pronounced rez-vahn). I began a three part poem called The Days of Ridvan which is about the First, Ninth and Twelfth Days. I also finished a long poem called Wondrous Calendar. I used senryu or haiku stanzas in this. I think it's finished for now. I may rewrite some of the verses later. Right now I want to focus on other stories and poems. I've posted the poem Wondrous Calendar in Bicentenary Poems and Prose which is in my writing.com port. 

Saturday Thoughts on Poetry Forms and Holy Days

Jalál {Glory), 8 Jalál (Glory), 147 BE - Saturday, April 15, 2017 CE about 1:08 PM Pacific Daylight Time 

It's Saturday the day before Easter Sunday. I don't celebrate Easter, but have encountered some new poetry forms that can be used for Easter poems. The writing.com poetry newsletter for April 12, 2017 contained the explanations for a couple of Easter poetry forms. Those for were (1) the Blessed Cross and (2) the Cross of Salvation. Both forms are center aligned and appear intriguing. I am contemplating using them in an upcoming poem. 

The April Holy Day I celebrate is Ridvan. I have written poems about Rivan before, but year I am going to use a specific form called a Vahid. A Vahid is based on the 19 year cycle of the Baha'i Calender. Vahid means unity and has a numerical value of 19. Each stanza in a vahid consists of 19 syllables. A vahid can have anywhere from 1 to 19 stanzas with each stanza having 19 syllables, but without any specific line count in the stanza. There is no required rhyme scheme so poets can use rhyme as they wish. The poem must focus on a specific theme or subject which usually makes up part of the title. It isn't required that the subject or theme be mentioned in the poem itself; however, all stanzas must suggest something about the theme or subject. Punctuation and capitalization is left up to the poet. I wrote that explanation of the Vahid form because I used the form to enter a contest on writing.com. 

Fighting a Battle

Fiḍál (Grace), 4 Jalál (Glory), 147 BE - Tuesday, April 11, 2017 CE about 12:56 PM Pacific Daylight Time 

I'm fighting a battle against depression. I think I may be losing. Every since the end of March everything seems to conspire against me and causing depression. The brakes need calipers for both the front and rear tires. Unfortunately, my financial situation is conspiring against me when it comes to getting them fixed. At this point I can see only one solution and that is just let the car sit where it is until next month. The problem is that something else is going to need fixing on the car next month. 

I am tired! 

I want to cry! 

I feel as if I am fighting a losing battle. 

On Wednesday, I have to go across town to the Social Security Office to see if I can get something cleared up with them. I tried doing it over the phone but was told I have to go into the office. I need to get a couple of fives changed into ones because I need $6.00 for that round trip. It is $3.00 one way and $3.00 the other. Then on Monday, I have a doctor's appointment across town. Fortunately, my health insurance will give me a free ride to the doctor's office and back. However, I still have to pick up my Senior Commodities this month which is another $6.00 to the paratransit bus. I'll make that appointment next week after I see the doctor. 

I need an attitude adjustment. 

I need to look at my situation through a different mindset. 

I know there is a solution which I cannot yet see . 

Palm Sunday Memories

Jamál (Beauty), 2 Jalál (Glory), 147 BE - Sunday, April 9, 2017 CE about 12:08 PM Pacific Daylight Time 

Grandma went to church that day 

And came home with a  small palm frond 

Shaped like a cross. 

It was a gift 

From a couple who had 

Visited the Holy Land 

And they brought back the gifts 

For all the families In the congregation. 

What Connects Us?

‘Idál (Justice), 17 Bahá (Splendour), 147 BE - Wednesday, April 5, 2017 CE about 3:28 PM Pacific Daylight Time 

What connects us 

One to another 

Makes us citizens of Earth? 

Love 

Compassion 

Helping one another 

Through the changes and chances of life. 

Why Are We Here?

Jamál (Beauty), 14 Bahá (Splendour), 147 BE - Sunday, April 2, 2017 CE about 11:56 AM Pacific Daylight Time 

Why are we here? 

A deep philosophical question 

That this poem may or may not answer 

To everyone's satisfaction. 

Why are we here? 

The answer for me 

Is to know 

And love God. 

Why are were here? 

I believe humanity is here 

To carry on an ever advancing civilization.