Best Sense Of Belonging Poems
If we don’t feel with our hearts, we don’t belong
If we don’t see as one, the world is wrong
Beyond the wars and the hate and the insanity
We are all connected as humanity
We are the child with cancer who still wears a smile
We are the kid from the projects facing trial
We are the pregnant teen feeling lost and used
We are the elderly man in a home abused
We are the young couple, marriage on the rocks
We are the homeless one in a cardboard box
We are the cold and hungry, sad and depressed
We are the lonely child who never felt blessed
We are the woman whose life was filled with pain
We are the man standing alone in the pouring rain
We are the child who struggles day to day
We are the teenage girl who ran away
We are the soldier killed in an unjust war
We are the young man who can dream no more
We are the inmate locked away for life
We are the old man who has lost his wife
We would be better off without our vanity
And have a sense of belonging to humanity.
Many a year so far
a sweet sensation would within surge
as back to school season
has just begun..
The feelings of a child
eager and joyful
to pile notebooks, pencils and pens
excited to have them all in a schoolbag..
Even as a teacher
that sweet habit, that unique joy
got wild much more!
a deep conception
that a smile, a word
could change a world
a strong conviction
that teaching is a vocation
a mind trained to train
a heart able to see and comprehend
confused faces
gazing at you
seeking the secret of success!
day dreamers, untamed teens
aspiring to reach and own
the treasure within..
Many a year by this time
soul and whole
I would wonder
what would I utter
of words
willing to sow the seeds of passion
in virgin lands
to instill a love of learning
a deep sensitivity
to guide to goals
to cultivate creativity..
What would I teach of lessons
use of methods
to inspire young souls
and their imagination kindle!
Now I’m back to school
with a load on the heart
a sense of culpability
torn about what I should
and must do..
The world of teaching
a hallmark of my identity
leaving that part of me
a possibility
even a necessity..
My heart aches for the realm of poetry
the power of words
that translate my innermost emotions and reflections
their magic
that transcends what is ordinary..
I have a longing for
a sense of belonging to
the world of words
I am an avid reader and learner
with a passion for creative writing
and leaving a world
would not mean
ceasing to be..
The many winters I had seen
When once I was a teen
Gathered inside our small living room
Joy and simplicity our faces illume
Warm with laughter at striking stories
Light is the heart and empty of worries
My sisters and sole brother
The treasure of my father and my mother
Mum, our angel of the earth
The springs of our gaiety and mirth
Moving in the magic of her young age
Our hunger for hot food would assuage
Would even bring a piece of paradise
To us, if we dared ask, for any price
Dad, overloaded, would tread miles for our sake
Serene reassuring smiles while so much at stake
The nights echoed holy verses dad used to read
Developing a sense of belonging to his creed
Opening our hearts to the graces and blessings of the Divine
In my veins, a life of a tender love I’ll ever enshrine
*****
Many winters had passed
Still nourished of a so precious past
Confined to the tranquility of the night
The magic box would offer dreams in black and white
Stress and concern evaporated and lost weight
Soft whispers.. suppressed giggles with life pulsate
The quietest of corners I would always look for
My sanctuary, my home made bookstore
Ever my worlds side by side shaping the inner me
No single worry over the one whom I would be
Why would I when I was entangled in more than one story
Preened myself on my pen musing in my world of ivory
My younger sis who of English knew no word
Would grant me her patience and love for what she heard
Love and most of all contentment and gratitude
Deeply remained, the reign of my worlds and my soul food
The cold of winters, now, how can my words perceive
In my realm of poesy what of warmth willing to weave
The winter of our Life which many abhor
My wishes I will have the grace to adore.
How do I shed the label
of a white oppressive man
Do I listen to the message
of Obama's "Yes we can!"
Perhaps I'll go out marching
With women take to the streets
Hold placards of "Black Lives Matter"
While trying to feel their pained heart beats
Still I wonder should I feel guilty
for horrible things my race has done
Or would it not be better
If I instead loved everyone
My friends are many religions
Jewish, Muslim, Christian Too
I've conversed with Jehovah witnesses
if you are Sikh I can learn from you
I'm unconcerned with color
or the kind of clothes you wear
I'm more interested in your story
and the heart you're willing to share
Don't see me as an enemy
Just because my skin is white
Understanding will replace our fear
Conversations can make things right
No one wants to be looked at
through the lens of a clouded eye
If you and I are both willing
a different logic will apply
In the end we are brothers and sisters
there is but one human race
Each person wants a sense of belonging
It's up to us to create that space.
Entry for Debbie Guzzi's " What is White?" Contest
- Even darkness shines in a dance with butterfly wings - quote by poet
She dances in the dark
expressing passionate emotions
Through movement
with a partner or alone
Dance gives her a sense of belonging
stimulates socializing
A bridge between the visible
and the invisible world
As humans, we are equipped with
a wide range of passion
regardless of whether you are blind or not
Dance serves as a delightful sanctuary
I choose to be
the last to speak.
Then other’s answers I can seek.
Each one of them is unique!
There is power
in embracing my meek.
When my thoughts don’t leak,
into their hearts I can peek.
Being quiet,
doesn’t make me weak.
I learn more,
when not talking a blue streak.
No nodding,
or pretending to listen.
Not trying to think of gems,
so that I can glisten.
Truly listening,
is my mission.
Without knowing their perspective,
how can I or we make any decision?
Can’t we strain to hear all their voices?
Hear the loud and quiet speak,
Muslim, Buddhist or Christian.
Maintaining myopic vision,
leads to a philosophical collision!
Upon Holy ground,
can we not avoid division?
After all, isn’t inclusion,
the reason for Religion?
We go to a church,
a mosque or a temple.
Sacrifice meat,
or eat freshly made lentils.
The core of humanity,
is still elemental.
Each in our own way is sentimental.
We are the same,
in the ways that are essential.
We crave light,
a sense of belonging.
Sunlight music and singing.
We loved one another once,
in the beginning.
Before our hearts became,
intoxicated by winning.
Recognition and ego,
the foundation of our sinning!
So can we put aside the “I”,
and begin again, by truly listening?
With our mouths closed and ears open,
Witness a beginning worth noting!
Lying in my bed one night ,
I hear the quiet,
It does not feel at all right,
Something is about to take place,
In this disunited human race,
And then, the world that I knew,
Its comforts, my family, my dog,
My little pet frog,
My bicycle that took me
To school, No longer exist,
My arm is bleeding,
My heads’ spinning,
The noise, the blasts,
Impending
Bombs exploding,
Amongst all this chaos
I manage to find shelter near
What was my home,
An old photo of my parents
Floats up towards the sky,
Then down past me
Lands in front of
Something or someone strange
Who looks identical to me,
Am I dreaming,
This feels surreal.
A being extends their hand
To me without hesitation,
I am bewildered,
Petrified
Beyond imagination,
In sheer desperation, I accept,
Expecting the unimaginable,
The unfathomable,
A fog appears surrounding
Me as if it were a blanket,
I no longer feel like the target,
This being is gentle and kind
Our hands still entwined,
I am led up some stairs,
I turn around to see
The devastation,
The world behind me
Is an abomination,
Endless desecration,
I have nowhere to hide,
Don’t want to be left behind,
I enter a space where I
See familiar faces, my best friend,
My brother, my teacher,
My preacher,
The being tells me to not be afraid,
We are all on a crusade,
There are other familiar faces,
People I have met
During my lifetime on Earth
Selected¸
Destined,
To be reunited,
In a Universe
Of aeons far away
Where we would awake
Up one day,
On the banks of a watershed
Where we would tread
A new era, a greener place,
A new beginning
Where hopes would
Be brimming,
I felt humbled
I was to be a pioneer
An unknown spec of sand,
Among some
Of humanity who would
Begin a new world,
Part of a new universe
A parallel to the one destroyed
Whose population was no
Longer techno driven,
No hate or crime,
Just time,
Where you and I, would learn to
Survive all over again,
At a much slower pace,
Nothing anymore feels surreal
It is a new era dawning,
Along with a sense of belonging.
Wasted time, can I get it back?
I'm not sure whether I want it back
Don't catch my symptom, you won't get your normality back
God, my vision blurry, I need you back
Is it possible to not know your destiny here on earth?
As I write these words my managers are discussing my worth
Happiness is allergic to me, maybe it's somewhere beyond this earth
Words in me get a sense of belonging, I then find my worth
Writing on this paper although it writes nothing back
It gives me space to lay these feelings, encouraging me not to look back
Being happy in intervals is distorting, I need that consistency back
God, you said you'll be here, please, I need you back
Tears please stop, the ink on this paper cannot find its worth
Frustration is installed, setting up files dismantling my worth
I want you to say "you need me" so I get a sense of belonging on this earth
I have no report to present to you when I leave this earth
This paper says "I love you too" when there is no one to say it back
Words become imprinted on it as a commitment therefore I cannot take them back
This paper has no judgements, no emphasis on where I lack
I see you are judging saying "he needs to get his confidence back"
What are my contributions here on earth?
Would I be treated as royalty if God sees my worth?
I need to review my terms and conditions of my being here on earth
I will recite these words and let the paper highlight my worth
Wasted time, really though, was it?
Summer days in a mining town
Lunch box sitting by the kitchen door
Whistle blows at the Colliery
Time for work, all my muscles sore
Long day’s work for little pay
No complaints, we’re doing fine
Wednesday, got a half day off
Have a few beers, forget the mine
Down inside that mine we give it a go
No panic here, no need to be hurrying
Mice are moving kind of slow
I’ll start to panic if I see them scurrying
The Colliery overshadows the town
Sometimes causes a bit of strife
A sense of pride putting that hammer down
For a miner it’s a way of life
Wife stays home to raise the kids
When that alarm goes off sometimes she’ll cry
Town waits quietly to hear the news
There’s a self-respect that money can’t buy
A constant struggle from day to day
Months pass quickly and the bills come due
Most times they are larger than the pay
But somehow, Thank God, we make it through
Though the times are hard trying to make ends meet
We get a perspective of what’s important in life
Our riches aren’t measured in the material things
They are children, good neighbors and a loving wife
There is a brotherhood within the town
A sense of belonging, a sense of pride
The colliery may have been shut down
But the spirit of the miner has never died.
Tamaqua, Pa. USA in the 50s.
Some people will always call you this
and that, and refer to you in metaphors
which can break the vocabulary
wardrobe.
They will say how you'll never be loved
or get love, rise up, succeed, dream,
find happiness, be normal....
These words will seep so deeply
in you, making you believe that their
color is your color.
You actually become what they say...
My dear,
that's not how the real world actually works.
Some people will love you,
and others hate you. This means someone
somewhere really loves, adores, and admires you
for who you really are.
Throw away the anti-depressants, 24 hour sad soap
opera routine, sad songs, suicidal thoughts.....and anything
weighing you down.
Feel your inner power and sense of belonging,
and levitate in Bliss,
rising above it; the world.
Date of Entry: 06/09/2016
''Better Days"
Better days indeed!
Its been long since a smile appeared
upon my grumpy face.
The rain refused to fall,
It was now a dry heart like erosion to soil
of sadness and no hope...
We laughed with misery within
no sense of belonging, no sense of reality
a paranormal kaleidoscope.
imagination in order to get by starvation
growling stomach.
There was no place for tears, we endured and
conquered, we died not! ,we stood tall!
For we knew better days were ahead,
Better days indeed!
A broken thought holds meaning
Even though its not completed
A broken dream shines, envisaging
Even though its not really alive
A broken smile brings a sweetness
Even though its not always smiling
A broken tear falls from the soul
Even though its not filled with hope
A broken heart shares a silent light,
Even though it isn’t softly glowing…
Like candlelight, with assurance, knowing
That there is nothing impossible in life…
Even the broken can pick up the pieces,
Pouring out the glue of insight and beauty,
Filling the mind with a sense of belonging,
Soothing away the doubts with sincerity,
A knowing that love will find a way to bring…
Joy and truth, pasting the feelings together
With a promise of the song who lasts forever,
The song of kindness, the song so gentle …
It brings the broken a reminder that life is filled
With brokenness, but it can be mended…
By a love who is stirred to life by the hand who
Brings the best gift, the spirit who lifts hearts
So they always believe, they always see…
The meaning beneath being broken is spoken
In the prayer that changes darkness to light,
The promise of a love that gives peace to the night,
The miracle of a Savior who never grows old,
The wonder and the joy, the peace and the hope
Forever in the soul of those who know He is alive
And, because of Him, the broken can be restored,
The heart that bleeds can fulfill every dream,
The soul that is afraid is reminded – He is brave!
And amazed by the gift of His saving grace, the beautiful
Written on the face of the heart who hears His music
And feels sure that He is the answer to every yearning,
He is the glue that promises the spirit it will never die
Because of His goodness, His blessing, His sacrifice –
He is my heart’s healing, my soul’s faith, my spirit’s thanks!
With a broken smile, a broken dream, a broken heart
I hold the key to paradise – it comes to life despite the flaw
That leaves its meaning beneath the broken smile, the broken
Know that it is in the brokenness that He finds pure gold,
The gift to those who sincerely believe – He can and will fix anything!
Hope the days pass quickly, and uneventfully.
Until inner rhythms in harmony,
create unique peace, satisfaction,
and a sense of belonging.
A mystery,
whose location and origin is felt,
but not understood.
When kindred spirits become close,
and play once again.
Dangerous Mind
The mind is a most dangerous thing,
Forcing memories into replay,
Endless relived moments drowning bring
Snippets in time more real than today.
Paralyzing sadness is trouble
Which the mind needs to be addressing.
Before I died inside, I really tried.
The sleepless mind toys with our heartstrings,
Always knowing our loved one can’t come back.
‘Sorry for your loss’ causes cringing,
Tearful anger and urge to attack.
Remembering makes sadness double,
Sharp edged memories, full of longings.
Why drive to survive, living isn’t alive.
The mind is also a tricky thing,
Lulling into complacency when
Life together starts out with a ring.
Daily work and play begin to blend
Into a wonderful, safe bubble
That protects against everything.
Love is giving a life worth living.
The unhappy mind prevents planning
For a future without one to love,
Alone, unsafe, fruitlessly scanning
Every crowd for my dearest dove.
Real life bursts that beautiful bubble,
And now frightened by everything.
Looked everywhere on Earth for her.
The mind needs a sense of belonging,
Not at all happy being alone. Minds together sing dreams that take wing,
Unsatisfied by just talk on phone.
The mind stings by the urge to cuddle
That knick-knacks and holidays still bring.
Be kind to the mind by living to love.
July 27, 2019
skirted, wind blown from afar
I was not to be late for the affair
bells struck midnight
and there were two left in in the square
twelve strokes to signal we were there
we circled right
looking for a place to disappear
tongues tendered to the herd
we kissed
my bones bent to your will
it was late
stars begged us to stay
the moon in her blushed
less than casual rose state
checking out as clouds ruffled by
we were high
and you, smokin'
like you always do
the time, the place, the memory
the face
fingers dancing as we knew the end
much more than the beginning
heartbeats pausing
pleasing, my ears
romance, encapsuled
in the singing
desire, a choir of one
and we won
thirty beats, pulsating
blood in-between the bludgeoning
a sense of belonging
longing for days to never come
nights slashing through the dark
butchering arms
grasping
charred, bodies
steam
whistling as she walks away