Feign Lair

The life I lead is a zoo
Its fences provide comfort and security
They separate me and you
Creating a false sense of obscurity

Look on from afar
Approach if you dare
If you could see the scar
Perhaps you’d beware

Stand at the fence and look in
Watch as I eat, work, and play
Think you know what goes on within
But really, I’m just on display

The attention doesn’t bother me at all
In fact, I might even have liked it
As I release my mating call
You seem intrigued having sighted it

From your side of the fence, you stare
And then in you come as if unaware
That I’d make you past tense, beware
My bite is more piercing than my glare

You pranced and played in my abode
You ate my food and drank my water
Tried to reap from what I had sowed
Until I pounced and did slaughter

Fair Ride

Life isn’t fair
It’s just a fair
Amidst long lines
And neon signs
With expensive indulgences
And relentless temptresses
Up ladders, down slides
Some not-as-fun rides

Let me off this rollercoaster please
Allow me to: Soar with ease,
Free my wings, Release my soul
See my mind and body as whole,
Chase the ups, and chase away the downs,
Seek the humor, and fear not the clowns,
Race the hare, and give the tortoise wheels,
Remove the flats, and flaunt the highest heels

Wear Shoes?

Do you wear prayers like shoes? Put em on each morn?
Wear them at all times, sunrise, sundown, and also at dawn?
If they be sneakers, I’m ready to run the mile by your side
If they be loafers, let’s walk together with dignified stride
If they be boots, I’m ready to climb treacherous terrain with you
If they be ballroom, let’s dance through life as if every step we knew
If they be steel-tipped, I’m ready to march armed with the power of His name
If they be slippers, let’s lounge and dream as if our thoughts were one in the same

Reflections on the Current Wish List

Wish List
Family – Does it include Husband / House / More Children?
Education – Does it include Masters / PHD or Certifications?
Areas of Study – Does it include International Trade Policy / Economics / Supply Chain Management?
Career – Does it include executive track or entrepreneurial endeavors?
Community Service – Does it include children/junior youth/youth programs – depend on Jamilah’s age?
Faith – Does it include devotions, administration (feasts/conventions), institute process?
Language – Does it include addition of Arabic, Chinese, Farsi, French?
Music – Does it include proficiency in an instrument or voice?
Publication – Does it include lyrics, poetry, children’s book, business/trade/management articles?
Fitness – Does it include competing in power lifting, triathlon, soccer team?

Patience

It comes, it goes
It ebbs and flows
Without it, anxiety is sure to build
With it, one is seemingly strong willed
It encourages gratitude
And strengthens aptitude
Removing the burden of pressure
Patience makes the environment fresher

Love

Deepest fear is to love, Deepest wish is to be loved
Without giving love, One cannot receive love
Why does love seem unto a weakness, When it is one of the strongest uniting forces?
Love takes various forms, and is displayed in various ways
Love is rooted in the same spirit that paved the path of service we walk
It is reflection and action, it is beginning steps and end reaction
Love connects souls in the realm on high, The substance that bonds the you and the I


I pray to the lord above, and imagine it's delivery via dove
I dream as if tomorrow was today, and have faith those dreams I'll see some day
I escape to my thoughts and imagination
The safest place to store my dreams and look on with fascination

Running the Mile

Started with a glance, then a stare, followed by a set of many reps
You began to walk towards me with slow cautious steps

You took a chance, the first step made, you inspired me to run a mile
Envisioning the end, cast out an embrace and smile

Behind each frown, behind each grin, a world of possibility lies
Oh what I’d give to make all your lows turn into highs

A friend, a supporter, a motivator, a comforter to me
To your kids a great father you continue to be

I imagine running together through fields of both flowers and thorns
Embracing that which makes us wear both halos and horns

As creative as dreams can be, could they turn into reality…
Manifesting our collective creativity?

Show Some Respect

Dear eyes that do see
Please show some respect

The curve of the lips
The swish of the hips
The bounce of the strut
The filled-up rear hut

Dear minds that perceive
Please show some respect

The temple surrounding the soul
The representation of the whole
The set of tools used each day
The feet to walk and voice to pray

Dear souls that retrieve
Please show some respect

The dignity displayed with each stride
The smile expressing both joy and pride
The virtues that lie (even if hidden) within
The beauty bestowed from closest of kin

Dear you I believe
Please show some respect

Ms. Florence Avis

One ponders when this blessed soul will take flight
Her fragile temple caged in this mortal world
The blessed nightingale longs to soar
To let her divine wings spread and unfurl

Day and night she continues to fulfill her duty
When will her work on this earthly plane be deemed complete
A saint, an angel, a servant of the realm on high
No correct title to correspond with service so replete

Her years of service will never go unnoticed
She will always be an inspiration and will continue to guide us
Her ceaseless support matched with her mighty prayers
We are assured she will forever and always be with us

With joy so deep, we weep and wish her farewell
Sadness or grief is the definition this feeling some have described
We will not allow misery to paralyze us, much work to be done
We will carry out the divine message that has been prescribed

She wants nothing more than each soul to be taught
Each divine battle to be fought,
Each children’s class to be carried out
Feasts, devotionals, deepenings, firesides, study circles for all of us to be about

Ms. Florence Avis, We love you dearly
We are all so blessed to have walked with thee
Please hold our hands along the way
And we will try our best to not be in dismay

“O SON OF JUSTICE!
Whither can a lover go but to the land of his beloved? and what seeker findeth rest away from his heart's desire? To the true lover reunion is life, and separation is death. His breast is void of patience and his heart hath no peace. A myriad lives he would forsake to hasten to the abode of his beloved.” (Baha'u'llah, The Persian Hidden Words)

Mission

The dawn has broken
The race has begun
Come one, come all, the time is now
Today we decipher the why and how

We all heard the calling
Saw with our eyes, the clear signs
Cannot be sure what the future brings
But will surely hear the victory bell as it rings

The troops have gathered
From far and wide
Marching down the dusty trail
Gathering the injured and frail

In towns and villages
In cities, every home
Prayers answered, the spirit did anchor
Conquering prejudice, malice, and rancor

The children set the foundation
The junior youth serve mankind
The youth rally the troops, take hold of the mission, and fulfill their duty
The adults try to keep up, take in the progress and vision, in all of its beauty