Kidscorner

Saturday 27 June 2015

Turn your face to the sun



Turn your face to the sun
by Maithri Goonetilleke

Beloved,

There are days when nothing seems right. When every shell you pick up on the winding shore is broken. When the silken treasure slips through your fingers too quickly. When comforts are empty. And the world is noise.

On those jagged edged days, when the wind is screaming for a reason only she understands. And you find yourself all alone.

Turn your face to the sun.

There is goodness in the world, that even the river of tears cannot erase.

There is love in the world, that the numbed armies of fear can not destroy.

Sometimes that goodness is everywhere apparent. It pours from the heart of every moment. From the light of every smile.

On those soft days, love hides in the eaves to drop like sweet honey on your forehead and sings her lilting lullabies in the arms of the winds.

But on some days, Beloved. On days like today....

We need to look, to see.

So turn your face to the sun.

Even when she is nowhere to be seen.

Go inside yourself. Find a speck, a splinter of beauty to be grateful for.

'Yes', the day has worn you. And 'Yes' our mistakes have been so many.

But say 'Thank you' anyway.

Take account of all that is in your possession.

A mind. A heart. A body.

A life that breathes, even if for just one more day.

Now count the eyes that have smiled
at you on your wild journey,

the hands that have held you tenderly,

the ears that have listened,

the prayers that have been made on your behalf.

And whisper your 'Thank you' again.

Count the sky that has watched you grow
with His painted eyes,

The heaving waves that find their echo
in the tides of your breathing,

The little birds that have sung
you their songs,

The stars which have been a lamp
to your path,
and are your
rightful inheritance.

Count unexpected laughter,

Count undeserved grace,

Count Passion and Love making and Dreams yet to be born,

And bow your head and say 'thank you',

Now count the lives who still need your light,

The hungry, the sick, the helpless,

Count the children who will die today

and imagine if with the breath of your body
you could help just
one.

Turn your face to the sun,
And know yourself as a child of the light.

You are the Goodness that cannot be extinguished,

The love that burns through the darkest night.

And perhaps,
In turning
You will see what i have seen,
that this day where everything seemed wrong,
was not your curse,

It was your gift,

Your chance...

To find inside yourself a forgotten 'thank you',

To smile in the face of the grim suppressors,

To stand in the heart of the glowering darkness
and turn your face to the sun.


13 comments:

  1. I do not know what prompted you to publish this, but I do know, which goes far beyond merely believing, that all who can turn their face to the Son and accept Him for who He truly is will never know loss again after their time as a part of this tortured existence comes to an end. In the meantime, may you be given the strength to endure.

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    1. Thanks Jerry We are going through a hard time but we are doing well All of us are going through challenging times in their lives. The kids are home so we are happy. Poems like these keep me focused I posted it because it is very beautiful and the writer was a blogger and an amazing poet. I used to read his blog "the soaring impulse". He is an Australian medical doctor who helped many people in Africa. An inspirational man who talks the talk and walks the walk,

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    2. Thank you for letting me know that you-all are doing well. I looked up The Soaring Impulse, and the last post was in September of 2011.

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    3. That long ago Time goes fast

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  2. Erg mooi Marja, dankje voor het delen!

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  3. Dear Marja
    A very poignant piece of writing. I love the last two lines "to smile in the face of the grim suppressors, to stand in the heart of the glowering darkness and turn your face to the sun."
    Gorgeous photo too, reminds me how my cats when they were smaller used to love sleeping in pots and basking in the sun.
    Keep shining my dear friend.
    Warmest heart hugs
    Peggy xxxxxx

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    1. It's the neighbours' cat He always comes here for a feed and to sleep in our pots :)

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  4. Beautiful, Marja. I hope the poem is giving you plenty of support through challenging times.

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  5. Sending good vibes your way, hope you and your family turn the corner soon.

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  6. Sorry to hear you have come on difficult times and I'm sure this poem will give you comfort. Thinking of you and hope things improve.

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  7. Marja. strange as today a post came through entitled Spring, but it was in Oct 2014. which I had commented upon a wonderful poem of yours..

    This post is a wonderful reminder of how many blessings we really have..
    I am pleased you are all ok.. I read your comments above, and I am pleased to know even though times are tough you are all together and all well.. Wonderful post share Marja.
    "To find inside yourself a forgotten 'thank you',

    To smile in the face of the grim suppressors,

    To stand in the heart of the glowering darkness
    and turn your face to the sun."

    May you all feel the Sun's warmth and know Love in your hearts..
    Blessings Sue xx

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  8. What wonderful words. So beautiful! Thank you for posting this! Hope you are well. :)

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  9. Beautiful words and I love the kitty.

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Thank you!!