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 “A good poem is a contribution to reality. The world is never the same once a good poem has been added to it. A good poem helps to change the shape of the universe, helps to extend everyone's knowledge of himself and the world around him.“ —  Dylan Thomas

Photo:PowerPoetry

‘Life is a wonderful journey

You learn so much from it

One moment of sadness on your face

Another moment your face is lit

The journey of happiness and joy

Feeling helpless is also a part

You get many opportunity here

Even if you do not make a start

There is so much to learn in life

There is so much to give

Do not live your life in regret

Give whatever you wish to give

Do things that make you happy

That is what life is all about.’-Poems About Life

In May 2020, in the midst of the first COVID-19 lockdown, my feelings and emotions were playing up with me. Sadness and despair had consumed me. I was here, I was there, but I was nowhere. It was especially painful not seeing our family and friends, our beautiful sweet little princesses, our granddaughters. 

Then, I remembered my childhood. I remembered my late father. When he was sad or happy, I recalled, he turned to the wisdom and the inspiring words of the great Persian philosophers of love, the sages and poets, Sa’di, Hafez, Rumi, Ferdowsi, Khayyam, Ganjavi and more. 

O’ what a bliss that was, recalling my childhood in Tehran in the company of my dad,

reciting poetry, chanting beautiful, hopeful rhymes.

Persian Poetry; 'Precious Tradition, a Necessity for Life'

The  poetry that can help you lead a better life

Here's why we shouldn't give up on poetry

Here’s why we need daily doses of poetry to nourish our hearts and nurture our souls

How Persian Mystic Poets Have Changed My Life

Reflecting on Life: My Childhood in Iran where the love of poetry was instilled in me

So, with no hesitation, I began a journey of ‘finding sanctuary in poetry during lockdown’, my first posting, which started me on my ‘Year of Joy in Poetic Journey’ that today I am delighted to share with you. 

Poetry is the key which  unlocks the gates of purity, love and wisdom

Photo: Kamran Mofid, our garden, Coventry, June 2020

In these challenging and troubling times of self-isolation and social distancing, it seems more important than ever to build, maintain, and nurture our collective spirit of humanity,  community, and neighbourliness. What  better way to do this than through poetry to guide us through our journey of healing. 

Determined to find an uplifting moment every day, I have been reciting poetry at Dawn for many years now. But I must admit this long held  habit of mine has provided a particularly welcome escape into a sense of calmness in recent months.

Reading poetry, solitude, silence and sanctuary: finding ourselves on  pilgrimage of self-discovery

Finding sanctuary in poetry during lockdown

The time is now to sing the praises of poetry

‘Poetry, The Landscapes of the Soul, The Path to Serenity’

‘Poetry has a power to inspire change like no other art form’

Poetry to calm the anxious mind

Beauty in words, others' and mine

A Poetic Pilgrimage to Wisdom

Wanderer Butterfly.-Photo:Brisbane Insects

'Be like the sun for grace and mercy.

Be like the night to cover others’ faults.

Be like running water for generosity.

Be like death for rage and anger.

Be like the Earth for modesty.

Appear as you are.

Be as you appear.'- Rumi

Photo:georgetown.edu 

‘Poetry is the Education that Nourishes the Heart and Nurtures the Soul’

Here's why we shouldn't give up on poetry

Here’s why we need daily doses of poetry to nourish our hearts and nurture our souls

‘I'm glad the sky is painted blue,

And the earth is painted green,

With such a lot of nice fresh air

All sandwiched in between.’- Anon.

‘When we bring forth the spirituality of teaching and learning, we help students honor life’s

most meaningful questions.’- Parker J. Palmer, founder, the Center for Courage & Renewal

'Be patient toward all that is unresolved in your heart…Try to love the questions themselves…Do not now seek the answers, which cannot be given because you would not be able to live them—and the point is to live everything. Live the questions now. Perhaps you will then gradually, without noticing it, live along some distant day into the answers.’- R.M. Rilke (1993). Letters to a young poet.

Poetry is the Education that Nourishes the Heart and Nurtures the Soul

'Nature and Me': Educating the Heart and the Soul of Children to Build a Better World

On the 250th Birthday of William Wordsworth Let Nature be our Wisest Teacher

The Road to Bliss: My Joyous Journey in the Company of Poets

Photo: DailyAmazingThings

...And then, it all began to make more sense. I needed more poetry to keep my mind, heart and soul in balance. Thus, my blissful year-long poetic journey. For one year, every month, I posted ‘My Poem of the Month’. 

I loved the every moment I spent preparing these monthly offerings, the joy of which I am delighted to share with you again:

My Poem of the month (January) and our New Year’s Greetings 

My Poem of the month (February): Let Hope and Healing Begin to Brighten the Covid Darkness

My Poem of the month (March): Look with joy on what is past and Look with hope on what is yet to come

My poem of the Month: Springing back in April with a Renewed Sense of Hope and Optimism

My Poem of the Month: A Celebration of this Sweet and Merry Month of May

My Poem of the Month: June is the Month of Dreams, Love, Romance and Marriage

My Poem of the Month: July is the Month Happiness, Purity, Beauty and Creation

My Poem of the Month: August is the Month of Love, Compassion, Joy, Grace and the Blessed Harvest

My Poem of the Month: September Is the Month of Kindness, True Love, Fidelity and Wisdom

My Poem of the month (October): MORḠ-E SAḤAR (Bird of Dawn)

My Poem of the month (November): Reimagined Garden

My Poem of the month (December): The Emerging of a New Consciousness and Hopefulness