Remember, Please, the Reason for Your Fasting

May 28, 2017

Dear Subscriber:

Each week we examine a theme from a variety of points of view. The theme for this week is Ramadan, a holy month for Muslims which begins on May 27.

Today’s poem is a Ramadan poem about the purpose of fasting.

I welcome comments on my poems at https://nicholasgordon.blogspot.com.

Yours,

Nick Gordon

Remember, please, the reason for your fasting.

A body ought to live beyond the body,

More focused on a life that's everlasting

As all that must be clothed and shod turns shoddy,

Disintegrating slowly into dust,

Amazed, despite well knowing that it must.

Nor is salvation simply for the asking.

© by Nicholas Gordon

Hear or watch me recite this poem and listen to the music I chose for it at https://www.poemsforfree.com/remem4.html. For more Ramadan poems, go to https://www.poemsforfree.com/ramadanpoems.html .

This week’s theme: Ramadan

May 22: Righteousness Is Not Self-Righteousness

May 23: Religion Must Touch More than Mind and Heart

May 24: Return to the Sweet Discipline of Faith

May 25: Roam Anywhere You Wish, and Then Return

May 26: Reason Without Faith Is Pure Relation

May 27: Right Action Is the Mother of Right Feeling

May 28: Remember, Please, the Reason for Your Fasting

Right Action Is the Mother of Right Feeling

May 27, 2017

Dear Subscriber:

Each week we examine a theme from a variety of points of view. The theme for this week is Ramadan, a holy month for Muslims which begins today, May 27.

Today’s poem is a Ramadan poem about how, in the pursuit of faith, action precedes feeling.

I welcome comments on my poems at https://nicholasgordon.blogspot.com.

Yours,

Nick Gordon

Right action is the mother of right feeling.

As one does, one ultimately becomes.

Mere words are insufficiently revealing.

An act of faith revives what living numbs.

Do, then, faithfully the month observe,

And by your abstinence your spirit serve.

Nor will that act be any less than healing.

© by Nicholas Gordon

Hear or watch me recite this poem and listen to the music I chose for it at https://www.poemsforfree.com/reaso3.html. For more Ramadan poems, go to https://www.poemsforfree.com/ramadanpoems.html .

This week’s theme: Ramadan

May 22: Righteousness Is Not Self-Righteousness

May 23: Religion Must Touch More than Mind and Heart

May 24: Return to the Sweet Discipline of Faith

May 25: Roam Anywhere You Wish, and Then Return

May 26: Reason Without Faith Is Pure Relation

May 27: Right Action Is the Mother of Right Feeling

Reason Without Faith Is Pure Relation

May 26, 2017

Dear Subscriber:

Each week we examine a theme from a variety of points of view. The theme for this week is Ramadan, a holy month for Muslims which begins on May 27.

Today’s poem is a Ramadan poem about the inadequacy of reason without faith.

I welcome comments on my poems at https://nicholasgordon.blogspot.com.

Yours,

Nick Gordon

Reason without faith is pure relation,

A sterile tool with doubt as its reward.

Mere connection cannot guide the mind

Absent a wisdom with deep faith combined,

Defining each sustained note with a chord.

A soul sees little substance in sensation,

Needing more than unframed thought can find.

© by Nicholas Gordon

Hear or watch me recite this poem and listen to the music I chose for it at https://www.poemsforfree.com/reaso3.html. For more Ramadan poems, go to https://www.poemsforfree.com/ramadanpoems.html .

This week’s theme: Ramadan

May 22: Righteousness Is Not Self-Righteousness

May 23: Religion Must Touch More than Mind and Heart

May 24: Return to the Sweet Discipline of Faith

May 25: Roam Anywhere You Wish, and Then Return

May 26: Reason Without Faith Is Pure Relation

Roam Anywhere You Wish and Then Return

May 25, 2017

Dear Subscriber:

Each week we examine a theme from a variety of points of view. The theme for this week is Ramadan, a holy month for Muslims which begins on May 27.

Today’s poem is a Ramadan poem urging the faithful not to fear secular knowledge.

I welcome comments on my poems at https://nicholasgordon.blogspot.com.

Yours,

Nick Gordon

Roam anywhere you wish, and then return.

All you want to know, you ought to know.

Maybe you're afraid that what you learn

Apart from holy things will turn your head.

Delight in Allah everywhere you go,

And feed your hungry mind till it's well fed.

Nor need you for your faith one insight spurn.

© by Nicholas Gordon

Hear or watch me recite this poem and listen to the music I chose for it at https://www.poemsforfree.com/roaman.html. For more Ramadan poems, go to https://www.poemsforfree.com/ramadanpoems.html .

This week’s theme: Ramadan

May 22: Righteousness Is Not Self-Righteousness

May 23: Religion Must Touch More than Mind and Heart

May 24: Return to the Sweet Discipline of Faith

May 25: Roam Anywhere You Wish, and Then Return

Return to the Sweet Discipline of Faith

May 24, 2017

Dear Subscriber:

Each week we examine a theme from a variety of points of view. The theme for this week is Ramadan, a holy month for Muslims which begins on May 27.

Today’s poem is a Ramadan poem about the beauty of following religious ritual.

I welcome comments on my poems at https://nicholasgordon.blogspot.com.

Yours,

Nick Gordon

Return to the sweet discipline of faith!

A ritual is rich in grace and feeling.

Make yourself a servant that you might

Attend with less of will and more of sight,

Doing what is asked, not what's appealing,

Alive with light, free of want and hate.

Nor does one moment pass that is not healing.

© by Nicholas Gordon

Hear or watch me recite this poem and listen to the music I chose for it at https://www.poemsforfree.com/retur2.html. For more Ramadan poems, go to https://www.poemsforfree.com/ramadanpoems.html .

This week’s theme: Ramadan

May 22: Righteousness Is Not Self-Righteousness

May 23: Religion Must Touch More than Mind and Heart

May 24: Return to the Sweet Discipline of Faith

Religion Must Touch More than Mind and Heart

May 23, 2017

Dear Subscriber:

Each week we examine a theme from a variety of points of view. The theme for this week is Ramadan, a holy month for Muslims which begins on May 27.

Today’s poem is a Ramadan poem about the role of faith in every moment of life.

I welcome comments on my poems at https://nicholasgordon.blogspot.com.

Yours,

Nick Gordon

Religion must touch more than mind and heart.

A living faith must be a way of life.

Mundane tasks done righteously are prayer,

As outer harmony heals inner strife.

Devotion must not be a thing apart,

Applied when turned towards Mecca. Everywhere

Needs passionate delight and humble care.

© by Nicholas Gordon

Hear or watch me recite this poem and listen to the music I chose for it at https://www.poemsforfree.com/religi.html. For more Ramadan poems, go to https://www.poemsforfree.com/ramadanpoems.html .

This week’s theme: Ramadan

May 22: Righteousness Is Not Self-Righteousness

May 23: Religion Must Touch More than Mind and Heart

Righteousness Is Not Self-Righteousness

May 22, 2017

Dear Subscriber:

Each week we examine a theme from a variety of points of view. The theme for this week is Ramadan, a holy month for Muslims which begins on May 27.

Today’s poem is a Ramadan poem about the distinction between righteousness and self-righteousness.

I welcome comments on my poems at https://nicholasgordon.blogspot.com.

Yours,

Nick Gordon

Righteousness is not self-righteousness,

As it requires a humble, loving heart.

Maybe one is proud that one is faithful

And slowly turns more arrogant than grateful,

Delighting in oneself. But faith is tearful,

Alight with longing and joyful tenderness,

Never whole but as an indigent part.

© by Nicholas Gordon

Hear or watch me recite this poem and listen to the music I chose for it at https://www.poemsforfree.com/right2.html. For more Ramadan poems, go to https://www.poemsforfree.com/ramadanpoems.html .

This week’s theme: Ramadan

May 22: Righteousness Is Not Self-Righteousness