Springlight: To Know and Not to Know

Three poets on finding true wisdom

You who know, and whose vast knowing
is born of poverty, abundance of poverty--

make it so the poor are no longer
despised and thrown away.

Look at them standing about--
like wildflowers, which have nowhere else to grow.*

...I know that my spirit belongs
to the Spirit of all Spirit.

I know that I belong to the city
of those who have no place.

But to find my way there
I need to let go of my knowing. **

...When we reached the heights Jesus stood still in the grove of laurels and said,
"Rest here, quiet your mind and tune your heart...Then we reclined on the grass, and the ... flowers were all about us and He sat in our midst and said:

Blessed are the serene in spirit.
Blessed are they not held by possessions, for they shall be free.

Blessed are they who remember their pain, and in their pain await their joy.

Blessed are they who hunger after truth and beauty,
for their hunger shall bring bread, and their thirst cool water.

Blessed are the kind, for they shall be consoled by this.

Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall be one with God.

Blessed are the merciful, for mercy shall be their portion...
and the peacemakers, for their spirit shall dwell ABOVE THE BATTLE,
and they shall turn the potter's field into a garden...

They who are hunted...shall be swift and winged.

Rejoice and be joyful when you find the kingdom of heaven within...

You are the salt of the earth...lose not your savor...for you are light
for the world. Put not that light under a bushel but rather let it shine
from the summit, to all who seek the City of God...***



*First section is from Rilke's Book of Hours: Love Poems from God (The Book of Poverty and Death p. 223 - III, 19)

**Second section above is from p. 159 "Rumi's Little Book of Love" (translations by Maryam Mafi and Azima Melita Kolin)

***Third section (end) is from Kahlil Gibran's "Jesus the Son of Man" - the chapter Matthew coalesced with The Sermon on the Mount. Here are some more references to Gibran's work and the similar Zeffrelli who gives an interview on his personal belief related to his film-making here and here

Photo above: In Death Valley even the hottest and driest place in California (USA- in a state where I lived many of my early years) harbors life. So many metaphors here for our wayward and often dry lives: Wildflower seeds hibernate years below the surface waiting for a tiny drop of water. After the El-Nino rains shower the desert, life shifts into overdrive. Colorful flowers pop up and cacti put on a show, competing for pollinators, spectators, and photo-creators. Thus, within a few weeks, the resourceful plants have fulfilled their life’s destiny, sprang new seeds, and withered away in the unforgiving, scorching heat of Death Valley. Find original posting here

Photo at end of the poet trio represents moments of listening to the "still, small voice" of the "wisdom from above" not unlike the words spoken on the sermon on the mount. Find the original art "Psalm 23" here and find the artist's humble statement here

Plz come back to see soon a post below entitled: Springlight: Compatibility of Opposites -- my poem in the making -- and to see a poem in honor of St. Francis of Assisi as well...