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Ripples of Light

Poem By: Urja
Poetry

About happiness .... View table of contents...

Submitted: Mar 29, 2008 Reads: 126 Comments: 16 Likes: 11

Ripples of Light

Who are you?

Why do you laugh so –

With your face towards the sun,

The shadows fall at your feet, unnoticed,

Just because they exist

Do they have to be made to matter?

They do, somewhat, merely

By intriguing me –

For I never cease to wonder why

They, of the same shape

And same motion as mine

Still remain shadows,

The non-recipients of light?

I can drink on the golden sunshine,

The bright delights of a lustrous world,

Inhaling pure power,

Throwing out maliciousness,

Do I even understand

Being anything else?

Even if I want to be,

Can I ever become

Sullen, dark, unhappy wretch?

Just a single spark it needs

To ignite the fire, immortal flame.

I laugh on and on,

Helplessly, enchantedly,

Unraveling mystery after mystery,

Watching the vision grow

Whose horizons recede –

I have so much more to learn,

So many wheres to go….

Your shadows don’t bind me down,

But I know what ails them,

Just

A dimension they need,

A dimension or more –

Why, I can almost see them laugh –

How simple all it seems,

Grow and feel,

Let the light revive you,

Don’t ever need to be earth-bound,

Hate-bound, confined –

Those former shadows,

Now ecstatic visions of unending joy –

That would surely make me smile;

Yes, this is how it ought to be.

But I am not the creator,

And this world of rippling light

Also sustains some shadows –

They have their choice,

And I have mine,

I dance on with my destiny,

Embracing this earth and that sky.

11

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Comments:

Ghiradelli Girl

Wow... your poem is very much intriguing-- I"m impressed^_^! I don't get it yet-- but I'm going to read it a couple of times more so as I do-- because it's awesome!

Lot's of special chocolate to you,

Ghiradelli Girl.

Posted: Mar 29, 2008

Author Comment:

Thanks for the chocolate, I could always do with some! This is the first work I have published on Booksie, and yours is the first comment that I have received. Thank you for the same, and I am glad you like it. Lots of chocolate to you too.

LeAnne

i love your poem!
when i first read the title, i knew i would love it!!
EXCELLENT!

Posted: Mar 29, 2008

Author Comment:

Thank you so much LeAnne. It is always so nice when someone likes what one writes.

poewhit

Poem has a philosophy

Posted: Mar 29, 2008

Author Comment:

I guess it does, but then, what doesn't?

Pratibha

I liked the concept very much and throughout our lives, this is what we do......run after happiness like running after mirage. And yet, we don't realise that it is within us......

Selfless love = Peace of mind = Happiness......

Well done ...keep it up

Posted: Mar 31, 2008

Author Comment:

Actually, Pratibha, that is not what I meant - I mean, it is not about the futility of running after happiness - THAT I would still not mind so much. What surprises me is the amount of negativity I see around me (not BECAUSE of me, I hope!), and the utter unnecessisity of it all. That is what this poem is about - that there is so much happiness, in fact, that is the natural way of being, and yet there are people, just like you and me, who deny it to themselves. Why, I wonder......

Classy Peach

I think I need to lay down and rest my mind after reading you! Wow! It takes such passion to write a poem of this length. And smarts.

And so another path to the soul of the world is born.

Bravo!

Posted: May 16, 2008

Author Comment:

Wow, I'm all aglow reading this comment! Thank you so much for taking the time to read and comment on it. It matters.

air

Urja :D you have spoken so well here of the enchanting mystery 'watching the vision grow'
I love it and I am so pleased to meet someone new of spiritual growth. ^_^
a wonderul, wonderful poem!
~katie

Posted: May 26, 2008

Author Comment:

Thanks so much, Katie, for appreciating the poem and taking the time to comment. Incidently, 'Urja' is a Sanskrit word for the elemental and eternal energy.

Classy Peach

And as I read this for the 700th time over the last couple months, I see you trying to describe yourself, perhaps? So many times I would imagine you looking at someone when writing this, but really, its about viewing yourself and the many opportunites you receive in life to and what you will do with them.

Urja, I drink on the golden sunshine very very very often in life and lap up all I can from the silliest of things. I also love how you use unhappy-wretch, it sort of is an exclamation with such brutal image-conjuring words to the rest of the symphony that you've written so elegantly.

Hm. I think you just changed my mind about some decision making I have to do. Like the little pisces that I am, I swim with my emotions and not my head.

I'm so glad to have read this again this morning.

Posted: Aug 23, 2008

Author Comment:

Wow, somebody is very generous with comments this weekend! PEACH, I am totally flattered to hear that you read this poem several times. *Urja is jumping up and down and doing a little jig* Yes, the 'you' mentioned in the beginning is actually me - I wrote this poem in a flash, on a rainy day when a lot of things were going wrong in my life; that is when I realized that nothing could make me internally unhappy, and I was surprised. I was more surprised when I looked around and saw that most people I knew were sad and unenthusiastic about life (I hope that was not BECAUSE I knew them!). It really made me wonder why I had so much capacity for happiness - perhaps that was an anomaly? Gradually that dawned on me that no, that could not be an anomaly, that was the way of life, that was what was meant to be. But then, why was it not so with the world around? I still haven't found the answer, but the poem was written with those thoughs in my mind. Don't know if I have made sense in general, but I think I have, to you. Pisces, eh? I am a true Libran in all ways except that I am very fast at decidion making!

Classy Peach

Yes, Urja...I come to your page often simply because I love the light that you exude. I do not get down often, but when I do, I enjoy the filter from a only a few on booksie. Strong willed, smart, self assured, and sexy characters. You are one. I am one too, but every once in a while, it's serene to bask in the shine of someone else.

So there!

Posted: Aug 23, 2008

Author Comment:

Yes, you are so right, it is always a reassuring feeling to bask in the shine of someone else from time to time. For that reason, I try to avoid the 'life sappers' as much as possible (not always possible, though). They suck up your energy, vitality and lust for life; perhaps they are what vampires are all about.

Annie Legend

I really like the last stanza which sums up your feelings about the (your) choice to follow the "ripples of light" rather than to get sucked in by the darkness. Many people don't realize that life is about choices, that they are not victims, and that one can choose one's reactions to both positive and negative circumstances. Well done, Annie

Posted: Sep 12, 2008

Author Comment:

Hello Annie, you are right, this poem is about choices. I have always found it difficult to empathize beyond a degree with whiners, because, as you have correctly pointed out, life is all about choices. Most of the time we choose to remain victims, if only of circumstances. Life can get one down at times, fair enough, but to be forever unwilling to get up and start moving ahead is something that I have never been able to understand.

I'm sorry that I took some time before I could respond to the comment - things were rather hectic at work. Thank you, Annie, for taking the time to read and to leave an insightful comment.

Reaper

wow, i have no idea what to say. very philosophical.

Posted: Oct 6, 2008

Author Comment:

Hmmm.... philosophical, I guess. Basically an expression of delight and gratitude for the gift of life. Thank you, Reaper.

matthew smith

a beautiful metaphor for a poetic vision and a vision for life. The poem seems to sway and glitter in the image of rippling light. Yes light which contains shadow, everything as its opposite, but a light which guides and bathes life with hope and endless possibilities.

Posted: Oct 7, 2008

Author Comment:

Ah, Matt, I'm totally blown away by your comment about the poem swaying and glittering in the image of rippling light. It sounded really good (and complimentary!). Yes, it IS about hope and endless possibilities, and a feeling of surprise why there isn't more of it around. Thank you for reading and your comment.

Onion Knight

You have a special character. Rare around these parts...
You make your point clear. Why DO people turn to their shadow? Why would they crouch on the ground merely to stare at a silhouette of themselves? Shadows are always the same color, they never change and their dull being never begs for attention... this makes me want to cry...
I personally have not been a happy sort of person through most of my life. I remember being a child and crying as the fireworks brought us into the new millennium... Still don't understand why.
Putting it into context; I believe that my mind fears the moment where my eyes meet the light. With eyelids bound so tightly in the darkness I know I will feel the sting when I finally open them to see the light. But through the cracks of my eyelids I do glimpse the occasional glimmer... the squiggles of hope. It is what keeps the heavy hearts going.
There should be more glimmers like this in the world.
Just as light dances on the varying surface of water, so does this poem dance with light. This was a ripple for me.

Posted: Oct 11, 2008

Author Comment:

Onion Knight, I really like your discussion here - it is quite poetic in itself. I think many times we prefer darkness over light is because the way the world around us warps the light makes it gaudy and bedazzling rather than illuminating, whereas the dark is solemn and soothing. There is an interesting quote by Ayn Rand in that context: 'Celebrations should only be for those who have something to celebrate.' It is only when one reaches for the light outside of them rather than internalizing it that the joy seems empty and meaningless. I think you are waiting to achieve something of your own, perhaps some vital understanding of the self and surroundings before you lay a claim to the light - you do not want the light just for the sake of it. I am so glad that this poem had a meaning for you; it is a special poem for me, because it speaks of the way I feel about life. Thank you for the heartfelt appreciation and the interesting discussion.

SynHawk

Well it's beyond me, as much of the more elegant and powerful poetry is. But I can certainly feel the intent and understand it to some level. Pretty much blown away by what I can comprehend and decipher in my head, very nice indeed. I was again impressed by the way you can bend the words of English and ensnare the idea you were trying to put forward. Well done ^_^

Hawk ^^
"Dum Spiramus Tuebimur"

Posted: Oct 12, 2008

Author Comment:

Ha ha ha, SynHawk, you know what, my own spouse is poetry-deaf, although he loves reading and wields a mean pen himself. So I can certainly see how some people just cannot relate to poetry. I'm so glad, though, that you could find something here which appealed. I like your concept of 'ensnaring the idea'.... makes me feel empowered! Thank you for reading and the kind words.

devilrod

I appologize for not having checked out your work sooner. This is wonderful. An uplifting and tantalizing poem to ponder.
'I can drink on the golden sunshine,' is beautiful.
I was reading this quantum theorist's idea that there is 10 dimensions, and that we pretty much dwell on the 4th dimension. He was explaining how it all fit together, and one passes through the ones below and whatnot. But how can there be a limit on such things. Only 10? I think everything is infinite, inward and outward, in all dimensions. Sorry for blabbering, but awesome poem.

Posted: Oct 17, 2008

Author Comment:

Devilrod! It's an honour to get a comment from you! Apologies should be all mine - I've been reading your work for quite a while but not getting around to commenting.

I agree with your thought about everything being infinite. Yes, having only 10 dimensions does not make sense. It's quite mindboggling when one begins to think of all these wonders...

Thank you so much for taking the time to read this poem and for leaving such a meaningful comment.

Riobald

Hello Urja,
Beautifully and onderfully written and so thought provoking as always!

It's been awhile. Sorry for the long absence. I read your poem, and I have to say, more than just a few times. Your poems always makes a person think & wonder and are the embodiment of insight and truth.

Your poem makes me think of a person's aura. The different colors reflect a person's mood or personality. Some people will emit that white or gold light of truth and happiness from their heart and soul. From reading your insightfully truthful poems, I get a sense that you are such a person. People tend not to believe in aura's but, one only has to look to see!

Posted: Oct 30, 2008

Author Comment:

Hello Rob! I'm SO, SO sorry for this long delay in replying. I was on a break from computers these few days, catching up on bits and pieces here and there. Rob, I have no apt words to express my thanks for this sincere and beautiful comment. It is so nice to be thought of this way, whether I deserve it or not. I am so happy for the people around you, because I can see how much of a caring and sensitivite person you are. Thank you so much.

romp365

You wrote:

"But I am not the creator,
And this world of rippling light
Also sustains some shadows –
They have their choice,
And I have mine,
I dance on with my destiny,
Embracing this earth and that sky."

I reply:

It's good to find people willing to overcome themselves and the obstacles they choose to accept as part of life.

Granted, you are not the Creator. Neither am I. However, we all have things fall in our lap and they are things we cannot control. However, we can control how we respond to those inevitables.

I appreciate that you acknowledge the darkness, but don't give in to it completely. Eventually, you choose to step out of it and into the light.

Your optimism and self-suffiency are admirable traits and attractive ones too. Your husband is very fortunate to have a spouse who's finding ways to make the most of the life you've been given.

I've started at the beginning of your publications, but this doesn't mean I'm stopping. I'll be back again to try and wrap my head and heart around what you publish for us to consider.

Posted: Nov 23, 2008

Author Comment:

Hello Romp, thank you so much for taking the time out to read the poem and write such a well-analyzed reply. I agree completely: it is a good idea to acknowledge the darkness while not giving in to it. My heartfelt thanks again for such kind words.

© Copyright 2008 Urja All rights reserved. Urja has granted theNextBigWriter, LLC non-exclusive rights to display this work on Booksie.com.

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