Save the Penguins’ - A blog for Darren White - Arthur Vaso's Blog

We have a poet amongst us, who writes beautiful prose, and does so because he has a beautiful heart. He has not been shy, in our conversations of explaining his sufferings, and yet every single conversation you have with him, he treats you as if you are the only important thing in the world.

Such humanity and kindness is rare these days, and I have found his heart to be so huge, he quickly forgives those who condemn the beauty and wisdom of this universe no matter ones beliefs. For anyone this is enlightening, for one who has suffered so even more.

It is not because of his predicaments or current maladies that I say this, it is because he is a person that I could only dream of being one day. Yes if you ask me, I m saddened that such humanity within this kind soul has been made to suffer; yes I am even somewhat mad about that.

Darren who is all of twenty is gay and in a wheelchair. Tomorrow, he goes into the hospital for an operation on his lungs, and today he was a nervous wreck. Many of us on PoetrySoupChat where there to comfort him today, and I am writing this for all of you who don’t know, I hope you will wish him well because I truly believe somehow this helps in a spiritual way.

I am not asking but begging that you wish him well. Anyone on Soup who has interacted with him, knows he has quickly become such a great contributor and supporter of others.

Which leads me to this. Tim Smith has written a poem to wish Darren well, and knowing Darren I can see how this was written to bring him some comfort and peace, and that by itself is very touching. Tim Smith, it’s the small things that count, and your kind gesture only speaks to your character. Again in these times, we need to shine the spotlight on the good ones, in my humble opinion. Thank you.

Here is the poem, but you can also go to Tims page to read it!

An Outstretched Hand with guest Harif

Author: Tim Smith

As that fragile snowdrop tentatively

but courageously challenges cold

I defy your icy stance with dignity

raising my head in delicate pride

White sheets caress the steel rail

cleansed again in chilled spaces

calling me to come back home

will the feelings ever be the same

Outside fantasies running adrift

flying kites and paper airplanes

sunlit shadows hiding all the pain

snowdrop glistens as I slip away

Satin kisses lay across yellow roses

outstretched hands and heart propose

    It's going to be alright

And now for a little extra, below you will find an exert from a famous poem, translated into English

“Come, fill the Cup, and in the Fire of Spring
The Winter Garment of Repentance fling:
The Bird of Time has but a little way
To fly - and Lo! the Bird is on the Wing.

Whether at Naishapur or Babylon,
Whether the Cup with sweet or bitter run,
The Wine of Life keeps oozing drop by drop,
The Leaves of Life keep falling one by one.

Morning a thousand Roses brings, you say;
Yes, but where leaves the Rose of Yesterday?
And this first Summer month that brings the Rose
Shall take Jamshyd and Kaikobad away.”

By Omar Khayyam a very famous Persian poet.