Real Life is Free
"These are my thoughts this Christmas time. Happiness comes from inside of us, our senses look outward hoping for some reward, a present or some praise. The other morning very early, the sun had just made its pretty colours for the break of day, I sat quietly overlooking my garden, listening to bird song, it was peaceful, the air was warm, and I was very happy. I then remembered a poem I had written just before Xmas a couple of years ago. My thoughts at Christmas." A blessed and peaceful Christmas for all my friends on Poetfreak. Best wishes Bob
Beauty of my garden shows me that real life is free,
its colour calls out please, please stop to look at me.
I hear the wind rush through the shrubs and trees, my
music playing soft, a robin’s song, all sounds of silence.
To complete this sincere and peaceful picture, my
dogs, Harry sleeps beside my feet, Sparky’s half awake,
his eyes half closed, he waits, expectantly he listens,
for he lives by sounds, and reacts to those unknown.
The grass is an emerald green speckled gold by lovely
windblown yellow flowers scattered here and there.
My cats Dozy and Illy curled up asleep upon a chair,
eyes shut tight, ears awake, tail still, they wait for dusk.
Wind blows louder, rushing, brushing trees;
music plays on its melody of love, I am relaxed,
enjoying present moments, knowing life is now,
not what is promised or the news reported.
Strife is everywhere, floods, hurricanes and wars,
but I do not grasp, I do not hold on to news and cry.
I’d rather treat it with concern, help another if I can,
give a part of me to aid; assist to make things right.
Today people driven by greed for many things,
chase devils in our shopping malls and stores.
Instead of living now, they greed for many things,
searching, grabbing, wanting one thing then another:
They build castles to contain these many, many things,
not palaces that hold a vision to enable them
to see this world of ours for what it really is.
They do not hear the wind or see the beauty all around.
They are blind, driven by the ego that they worship.
Not seeing the blue sky, white fluffy clouds, and warming sun.
Instead of lying still taking in warm air,
breathing in happiness with each breath so
they can then exhale all those wanton thoughts away.
This is the way to achieve a better way of life.
Relax be still, no thoughts of what life was,
and desire for future things. Remember that
the now is now and now is all the life we have,
so enjoy and do not grasp this moment,
but just live the moments as they come.
The music is louder now, strains of beauty
softly flow around me, each note lifts me up,
slowly I descend each note a moment to enjoy.
This is life, the wind still blowing, its soft now,
but still helps the yellow flower petals multiply
upon the grass so green; it really is a lovely scene.
Breathe in breathe out, taste the air, inhale life.
Now no wants desires just live your life in peace.
If all do this, what a world of love this would become.
Shadow of a kite with yellow bill flies slowly by, as it
moves over yellow speckled lawn in search of prey.
All this, just another sign of life and how we all
intermingled become a part of one big Shams.
It grows quieter now, the wind has dropped,
now it only whispers through the trees.
I hear the robins call, a petal fall, the music soften,
and I reflect once more how as I listen in the stillness
to my one true self, with no noisy wants to spoil
this life of peace, I become sure real life is free.
04-12-2007
Bob Blackwell
I'd love to be traveling toward all the beautiful images you impart in this thought provoking prose, Bob. Christmas has become so commercialized that it no longer holds the true meaning of its existence. Without that there is no peace. I really enjoyed your take on life and how it is free. Excellent thoughts to ponder ...
You took me on a journey of beauty with your glorious tranquil thoughts and words of wisdom Bob. You write with truth as the commercial Christmas is booked up on credit cards, and I can remember the days when a baked dinner with a Christmas pudding was all we needed or wanted Lobster is $99 a kilo this Christmas and people in deep debt are still buying it. Best wishes to you and your family Bob for a wonderful Christmas Day and a peaceful and awesomely beautiful New Year~ love Karin
...deeply satisfying picture you paint... how much all need to take to heart the message... be still and hear the exquisite sounds of life around us in nature's gifts... and as things settle one becomes at peace with the stillness within... this is real and free... wonderful poem, Bob
Merry Christmas to you too Bob.And thank you so much for this wonderful verse.May the New Year bring so much joy and happiness to you so that you could write more and more amazing poetry.All my best wishes~~~~
What a beautiful Christmas presentation! Everything in Nature sings in joy and sprightly dance/Rocks in flood and hurricane in Nature's trance/But man engrossed in greed/ misses its romance.
I just love your words of wisdom and beauty, and they speak so much louder at this commercial time of year... you have captured the true essence of life in your poetic message, Bob, with sentiments that touch the heart.
A brilliant narrative poem, a remarkable one. Merry Christmas Bob.
'No noisy wants to spoil this life of peace'...beautiful meaningful expression there, Bob...a poem long and lovely, carrying nice message
such beauty! merry christmas Bob
The best things in life are free Bob but only til the powers that be devise a way of taxing them May the coming year prove to be as you would like it to be
This is such a soothing, serene, picturesque composition on nature with a wonderful message attached. The theme is splendid, title lovely and penning exquisite. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks Bob for sharing , & the good wishes too ! Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to you & Shirley ! Take care , -Raj
Excellent pening with so many vivid images and very sensible advice Bob. Alaways a pleasure to read your poems - there is so much to learn too...Recommended
In the last days God will give His people a peaceful place and that is where you are in this poem. I am in it too, that is why I see where you are. I live for the NOW, I see there are problems, but they are there and I am here. That is why I do not read newspapers or watch the news on TV, because they are just frightening the people and who is not enough strong in the FAITH in goodness, they fall for it. Sometimes I hear about them, but I do not give power over me. You are in the best place, stay there for good and be free forever