Moments Of Light Poem by Alla Bozarth

There are jobs more important
than a day without rain in a rain forest,
perfect for exploration and a picnic~
but not many.

There are days more important
than the days spent entirely with loved ones
engaged in random interplay, or mourning
some unendurable death together~
but not many.

There are moments more important than the silence
that takes you to a sacred place when you gaze at a certain picture,
or the light in the eyes of a knowing elder shining with wonder
from the future, as bright as a newborn’s, each full of promise~
but not many.

There are minutes better spent than listening
to a woman singing a love song at sundown
in a haunting melody, with words full of meaning,
who does not know that anyone is listening~
but not many.

Don’t waste the light. It flies much faster
than any darkness. Don’t waste the moments.
You will never again be the same person you are
in any one of them. Do the work that’s needed,
as well as the work you’re called to, the one supporting
the other, but as much as possible, don’t forfeit life to do it.
Life is meant to use you up, but also to give you joy as the holy ground
on which to find your strength. Give yourself as much to joy
as to struggle and necessity. Open yourself to gifts of joy~

First rain breaking a drought, first star of evening, last star of morning,
a moment of break in the clouds when an oval of robin’s egg blue
bridges a light bank and a dark bank, swiftly moving and changing
together, each one taking turns being larger than the others.
These are the reasons and armor for all the days’ efforts.
Play well. Don’t work too hard. Love everyone, everything,
with respect for yourself and all others, in right perspective,
with suitable distance or presence, as wisely as you can
and as the other can receive it. Love well. Live it up. Live long.
Even if you have only a moment to be here, fill it up.
You have some secret blessing to leave behind you.
See that you do.


This poem is from the book, Diamonds in a Stony Field by Alla Renée Bozarth,
copyright 2011. All rights reserved.