Premiere Contest WinnerMindful

Mindful  

Startled out of nonchalant light,
Wakefulness stands at attention
Ignited flame from the eternal candle,
Energized vigil of the watchman
At the soul’s dawning daybreak
Tingling in the presence
Of every dappled infinite breath.

Rotating eye of illumination
Watchful, like a lighthouse beacon hovering,
Charts rocks and shoals through clear oceans insight,
Every nerve exposed in circumspection
Sometimes cringing in wary expose
Often basking in the light touch of satisfaction
As niggling prophecy finds confirmation in revelation

Throwing off the blinded penury of antonyms,
Embracing flashing synonyms of wisdom,
Tears of the heedful heart touch drab puzzles poverty
To polish with refinement’s shine burnished enthusiasm
For the incandescent dancing mindful
Then banish chary strobes of destitute indifference
Reaching beyond self-centered parentheses.

A lantern of thoughtfulness in floodlights
Of full harvest shared – no scattered crumbs of bread
Baked to stone in scathing flashes of the false
Eloquent vigilant splendor - never morning extinguished –
Torch to awaken lambent radiance of clarity’s joy,
Identity of the pilgrim heart, ejects sightless shades  

Mindfulness blends the conscious scattered fragments
For Mosaics in clear lit portraits of charity's open hands
Throwing off the numb stalker branded carelessness
Born of intentional ignorance
Seeker’s actuated incentive to the attentive – 
To hear!  To see!  To feel! To move in birth!
Action invigorated by accentuated humility of grace.

Date Written 6-10-21
Best #1 Poem - September 2021
1st place Trophy Win Poetry Contest - Mindful
Included in Poetry Soup Anthology - It's Still Poetry
Copyright © | Year Posted 2021

Poem

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Cunningham Avatar
July 12, 2021 at 3:38 PM
A well deserved win Sam and a well deserved number one spot in the best new poems. Over Fork Over. Hope you're keeping well. Tom
Kauffman Avatar
July 12, 2021 at 4:03 PM
Hi Tom! Thank you. The first place and #1 spot were a total, yet delightful surprise! Every once in a while it all seems to come together! Doing well. Hope you are having a wonderful, maybe sunny?, summer. Over Fork Over with blessings.
Alex Avatar
July 9, 2021 at 7:05 AM
Congratulations on your placement.
Kauffman Avatar
July 12, 2021 at 4:01 PM
Thank you so much Chris!
Pathak Avatar
July 6, 2021 at 11:57 PM
Congrats dear poet for what I understand is a Trophy Win, and a first place in Top Hundred Poems
Kauffman Avatar
July 8, 2021 at 10:27 AM
Thank you so much! Many wonderful surprises, and honors, have come about because of "Mindful!" It is truly a humbling experience. So grateful for your visit and your gracious feedback. All the best to you!
Legros Kelley Avatar
July 3, 2021 at 4:12 AM
I am so happy and blessed to see that you won a trophy placement for this stunning and awesome poem Sam! I commented before, but I'm back with a joyful congratulations on your win!! I also noticed that yours is number one in the best new top one hundred poems list! It was not just my opinion your poem is a masterpiece. I'm still in awe of it. Congratulations! :)
Kauffman Avatar
July 8, 2021 at 10:36 AM
BJ, thank you! Your messages are blessings to my heart and encouragement to my soul! This theme was such a challenge. I am awed by the reponse to it, a trophy win and a #1 new poem. I, again, have to say that the past year of writing every day for "the soup" and reading so many incredible poems has been a truly formative experience. I feel so blessed, inspired, by all of you. Thank you for being such a blessing to me! Hugs and blessings to you my friend!
Schiavina Avatar
July 1, 2021 at 8:23 AM
Superbly tackled a very difficult topic. Sincerest congratulations Sam on your gold winner poem.
Kauffman Avatar
July 8, 2021 at 10:24 AM
Thank you so much Frances! When I first saw the contest theme I thought "no way!" Then the phrases and inspirations started to flow. I am so happy you enjoyed this offering! Many mindful blessings to you!
Ochwo-Oburu Avatar
June 28, 2021 at 6:00 PM
To read again and again. superb.
Kauffman Avatar
July 8, 2021 at 10:21 AM
Ahh...thank you Solomon! Your message warmed my heart. I am so happy you liked "Mindful." The theme sparked many moments of reflection and inspiration. All the best to you.
Marcum Wong Avatar
June 26, 2021 at 3:38 PM
Wow Sam, this is an absolute masterpiece! I reread it and enjoyed it even more the second read. The last two stanzas are my favorite. This poem was destined to receive the trophy, and so worthy of it. Your wonderful poem is going into my faves. Congratulations on your most wonderful and deserving win. Blessings xxoo
Kauffman Avatar
July 8, 2021 at 10:17 AM
Connie, thank you from a grateful heart! Your message made my day. I am so sorry it has taken me so long to get back to you - busy holiday weekend and then got waaay behind! Having "Mindful" in your favs is an honor! I am so very happy you liked it and found it worthy of another read! Think of you often in prayer these days. I hope each day brings a little ray of light into the darkness. Much love and many hugs. Aloha!
Carber Avatar
June 24, 2021 at 10:54 AM
Again, you make the words dance, Sam--congrats on your win!
Kauffman Avatar
July 8, 2021 at 10:09 AM
Thank you LJ! Your message made my heart dance and put this :D on my face! Mindful blessings to you!
Buehler Avatar
June 23, 2021 at 3:36 PM
Congratulations on your win, with this moving, beautiful masterpiece, Sam. It's in my faves. Blessings and hugs, Evelyn :)
Kauffman Avatar
July 8, 2021 at 10:04 AM
Thank you so much Evelyn! It is truly an honor to have Mindful in your favs! Sincere gratutude from my heart my friend. Blessings and a hug back to you!
Baba Avatar
June 23, 2021 at 2:28 PM
Know the essence of poetry. Poetry is the supreme language emotions Register to get the taste of heaven. https://unipoetry.in/poetry-competition
Holmes Avatar
June 23, 2021 at 12:38 PM
Sam - Congratulations on your win - A truly wonderful piece. I especially enjoyed the 4th stanza - brilliantly written. David
Kauffman Avatar
July 8, 2021 at 10:01 AM
David, I am so grateful for your gracious message - and humbled! Thank you! Every so often a poem like "Mindful" comes along. It is truly a humbling experience! All the best.
Alex Avatar
June 22, 2021 at 9:58 AM
Wow. Wonderful. Congratulations!
Kauffman Avatar
June 22, 2021 at 10:46 AM
Thank you so much Chris! So grateful for your "wow!" and the time you took to read and respond! Blessings.
Ray Choudhury Avatar
June 17, 2021 at 5:22 AM
Congratulations, My Dear Friend, with this absolutely brilliant creation. Your images are stunning, matching with the theme - exploring every corner of mindfulness. Much Love and blessings ~ Mala
Kauffman Avatar
June 22, 2021 at 9:29 AM
Thank you so much Mala! This theme was really inspirational in so many ways. I am so humbled by your message. It was an amazing experience to put this concept into the concrete images and mind pictures that would clearly illustrate mindfulness to each reader. Thank you for sharing this experience with me. All the best my dear friend. Sending you bunchs of blessings!
Lindley Avatar
June 14, 2021 at 3:07 PM
My friend, tis absolutely a stunning piece! Sits well with the style of the golden poets of old, imho. And truly a delight to read such fine poetry! A fav, a true beauty.. God bless..
Johnson Avatar
June 14, 2021 at 11:33 AM
Congrats, Sam, on your top placement.
Kauffman Avatar
June 14, 2021 at 12:40 PM
Thank you so much Curtis! Blessings to you.
Mcintosh Avatar
June 14, 2021 at 7:14 AM
WOnderful ... Congrats! God bless you, love, Gina
Kauffman Avatar
June 14, 2021 at 12:43 PM
Many thanks and much gratitude, Gina! This theme really inspired and got me to thinking. I am so grateful for the opportunity to explore the many corners of mindfulness. Hopefully it will inspire me to be more mindful. Blessings to you and a hug my friend!
Balasubramanian Avatar
June 14, 2021 at 4:28 AM
Came back to read again. Read when you posted. My only thought was with such splendid entries coming, I will surely not place. Congratulations once again friend. Enjoy the honour of trophy. Well deserved!
Kauffman Avatar
June 22, 2021 at 9:23 AM
Thank you my friend. I am so honored by this win! A trophy win is truly a very special experience. I agree with you, the entries were just spectacular filled with so much creativity. It is wonderful to share the winners podium with you! Blessings to you friend!
Agustin Avatar
June 13, 2021 at 11:47 PM
Wow! Congrats! Thanks for sharing this... and your talent, blessed by the Lord. God bless you.
Kauffman Avatar
June 22, 2021 at 9:11 AM
Hi Beata! Your message is a blessing and gives me such encouragement. I feel the power of your prayers. What a gift. Know you remain in mine. Sending you blessings!
Brul Avatar
June 13, 2021 at 9:37 PM
Congratulations Sam on your well-deserved trophy win!! This is such a majestic write!
Balasubramanian Avatar
June 13, 2021 at 9:33 PM
Congratulations on your trophy win! A superb write. A gem from top to bottom. Well deserved! Take care, God bless!
Goldsmith Avatar
June 13, 2021 at 9:23 PM
Congratulations on your win. What a wonderful write. Love your line, "Mindfulness blends the conscious scattered fragments." Enjoy your win with blessings...........
Kauffman Avatar
June 22, 2021 at 9:15 AM
Thank you so much Paula. This contest and its prompt words made for many moments of contemplation and a reminder to be constantly mindful. Thank you for your message and congratulations. Always appreciated! Blessings to you!
Seeker Avatar
June 13, 2021 at 8:38 PM
Had to wait till the contest was over before marking this superlative piece as a fave! Congrats on your inevitable top win! Have a look at the next contest, ‘Jaundiced Eye’
Kauffman Avatar
June 22, 2021 at 9:35 AM
Hi Seeker! Have been out of town and am just now catching up on answering messages. I cannot tell you how honored I am with your trophy placement, and your fav, of this poem. I wasn't sure how to express mindfulness but your theme gave me many moments of reflection and meditation. Your contest themes always provide such exquisite opportunities for plunging into the depths of a concept! Thank you for this placement and all that you do here in the "soup!" Blessings!
Wolf Avatar
June 13, 2021 at 7:56 PM
Seeker must have been in ecstasy reading this! You really nailed the theme and the style, Sam. Congrats on your trophy win with this ethereal write. Tranquility forever, Gershon
Legros Kelley Avatar
June 11, 2021 at 2:46 PM
This is phenomenally breathtaking. I have no words to fully express how intensively beautiful this masterpiece. God bless you, as I see He already has... with a masterful eloquence and talent! I love this.
Kauffman Avatar
June 15, 2021 at 3:33 PM
BJ, I am totally and completely humbled by your beautiful message. There are times when words flow and I feel the blessing of our precious Spirit. I cannot take credit but have to give credit to our amazing, loving God! I feel so blessed to have been listening! It is so gratifying to know that it touched you in a soulful way. Blessings to you!
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