Maybe Grief Needs Ritual, as Music

May 31, 2017

Dear Subscriber:

Each week we examine a theme from a variety of points of view. The theme for this week is Memorial Day, which was observed on May 29.

Today’s poem is a Memorial Day poem about how ritual can contain the pain of grief.

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

Yours,

Nick Gordon

Maybe grief needs ritual, as music

Embraces rules that turn sound into song.

Maybe if one trusts that one won't lose it,

One can turn away, though grief be strong.

Reserve, then, days for rituals of mourning

In which one may allow the flood of grief

Again to inundate the heart, restoring

Life to deserts thirsting for relief.

Dance depends on choreography

As pain declares its sovereign right to be,

Yet performs with grace restrained and brief.

© by Nicholas Gordon

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

This week’s theme: Memorial Day

May 29: Make a Little Time for Public Mourning

May 30: Make My Death a Canticle for Peace

May 31: Maybe Grief Needs Ritual, as Music

Make My Death a Canticle for Peace

May 30, 2017

Dear Subscriber:

Each week we examine a theme from a variety of points of view. The theme for this week is Memorial Day, which was observed on May 29.

Today’s poem is a Memorial Day poem asking the mourner to pursue inner harmony and peace.

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

Yours,

Nick Gordon

Make my death a canticle for peace.

Evil has no greater friend than anger,

Making ready converts to its cause.

On me think but of beauty as you pause,

Remembering the service of a stranger

In giving up his life to purchase yours.

All I ask is that you do your part,

Living in the sunlight of my death,

Dancing till your self-sown furies cease.

As you enjoy the gift of every breath,

Yet mourn for me with morning in your heart.

© by Nicholas Gordon

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

This week’s theme: Memorial Day

May 29: Make a Little Time for Public Mourning

May 30: Make My Death a Canticle for Peace

Make a Little Time for Public Mourning

May 29, 2017

Dear Subscriber:

Each week we examine a theme from a variety of points of view. The theme for this week is Memorial Day, which is observed today, May 29.

Today’s poem is a Memorial Day poem about the need for public mourning.

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

Yours,

Nick Gordon

Make a little time for public mourning,

Easing the harsh pangs of hidden grief.

Maybe ritual tears will bring relief,

Offering a role for one's dark calling.

Remember the utility of sharing,

Inviting cloistered hearts to come outdoors

And dance with us along our barren shores,

Lost within the music of our longing.

Death requires our collaboration

As we render due commemoration,

Yielding sorrow to the common cause.

© by Nicholas Gordon

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

This week’s theme: Memorial Day

May 29: Make a Little Time for Public Mourning

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