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Abstract: A collection of a dozen poems and the Bahá'í quotes that inspired them. |
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Poems Often Enrich My Spirit |
| This is dedicated to my descendants in the hope it will help guide their search for spiritual truth, and in appreciation to my mother for her spiritual guidance. Betty Eskuche |
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Intone, O My servant, the verses of God that have been received by thee, as intoned by them who have drawn nigh unto Him, That the sweetness of thy melody may kindle thine own soul, and attract the hearts of all men. Whoso reciteth, in the privacy of his chamber, the verses revealed by God, the scattering angels of the Almighty shall scatter abroad the fragrance of the words uttered by his mouth, and shall cause the heart of every righteous man to throb, Though he may, at first, remain unaware of its effect, yet the virtue of the grace vouchsafed unto him must needs sooner or later exercise its influence upon his soul. Thus have the mysteries of the Revelation of God been decreed by virtue of the Will of Him Who is the Source of power and wisdom. —Bahá'u'lláh |
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GOD'S PLAN From the very beginning God's great plan, Was designed for the splendor of man. Advance them by steps while guiding their hand, Teach them gently so that firm they may stand. Adam reveals good and evil but God is One, For mankind the learning cycle has just begun. Krishna taught the importance of detachment, Moses brought man laws with justice to augment. Zoroaster lends purity of mind, then, Buddha calms us by teaching peace within. Jesus forgives our sins and loves us still, Muhammad says to submit to God your will. Báb, the Gate, leads us to universality, Then comes Bahá'u'lláh to teach world unity. From all the different religions it vibrates, Throughout the universe, God is One radiates. When all are equal we'll have peace on Earth, We'll know why we are here and life's true worth. Through it all we knew heaven was our goal. In harmony we blend mind, body and soul. B.E. This poem was inspired by a chart done by Ruth Moffett, my spiritual mother, on the connection between God's prophets and the evolution of civilization. |
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NEW DAY There is a Gate we must go through, For peace in the world for me and you. We hear the melody of the Nightingale's song, To welcome the dawn so bright and strong. The garden beyond attended by a Servant, That tends the flowers with heart observant, Followed by a Guardian so we don't stray. All are bringing us God's New Day! B.E. On the first anniversary of 9/11 with everyone talking about individual heroes, I wanted to do a poem about the central figures of the Bahá'í Faith. This poem came to me at dawn September 12, 2002. As explained in Bahá'í writings The Bab (pronounced Bob) means the Gate. Bahá'u'lláh is referred to as the Nightingale. 'Abdu'l-Bahá, Bahá'u'lláh's son, stands for servant of God. In his Will and Testament Abdu'l-Bahá appointed his grandson, Shoghi Effendi, as Guardian of the Bahá'í Faith. People are often referred to as the flowers of one garden. |
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Bahá'u'lláh revealed the following twelve Bahá'í principles. The poem 1844 reflects on how these principles are the foundation of our current civilization. TWELVE BAHÁ'Í PRINCIPLES 1. Oneness of mankind 2. Independent investigation of truth. 3 Foundation of all religions is one. 4. Religion must be the cause of unity. 5. Science and religion must agree. 6. Equality of men and women. 7. Removal of all prejudice. 8. Universal peace. 9. Universal education. 10. Spiritual solution to economic problem. 11. Universal language. 12. International Tribunal. |
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1844 The year was 1844, Man's spiritual side required more. God sent us a Manifestation, That merits our investigation. God's great power was released, Knowledge and guidance was increased. There was a key that opened the book, God would solve all if we'd take a look. Revelations had long been sealed, Include other religions now revealed. Tolerance and unity to encompass, A world at peace will now surpass. Everyone must be educated, For problems to be eradicated. Think in terms of universality, Then unity becomes reality. Mankind should be like one family, Without prejudice it loves easily. Science and religion must agree, For peace in a world thafs meant to be. Men and women are equal to balance, A world widely out of compliance. An auxilary language to vent, Computers are coming, messages sent. Universal measures so shuttles will fly, Mankind must unite or wither and die. If in space we met another race, What worldly language would we embrace? No one tells us what to believe, We investigate the info we receive. States united worked out great, Countries united we'd celebrate. We pray for peace, yet fight it, When united with love we profit. Look back over time and see the score, The turning point was 1844. B.E. |
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EMBRACE BAHÁ'U'LLÁH For a world in turmoil, What to do, what to do? God's guidance to review. Our actions speak louder, When following prayer. Embrace Bahá'u'lláh. War touches everyone, A wound, a death. This may engage God's wrath, Life's problems to compound, God's children all around. Embrace Bahá'u'lláh. Use money spent on war, Heal the sick, feed the poor, Mankind will advance more. This is the better way, Life's value to portray. Embrace Baha'u'ilah. God's wisdom is complete, Be the first, lead the way, God's teachings to relay. Vow unity and love, For blessings from above. Embrace Bahá'u'lláhl B.E. This is my attempt to help emblazon the name of Bahá'u'lláh. |
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GOD IS ONE As God is to the spirit, One is to the physical. As an equation is balanced, We walk the spiritual path, With practical feet. God is One. As God does encompass all, One is a whole building block. If a fraction then not complete, When whole a single unit can, Times to infinity. God is One. All the foundations are oae, Mankind and the universe, The spirit and the physical, So the equation is balanced, And all should agree. God is One. Open your eyes and see, Open your ears and hear, Open your heart and there is love, Open your mind to unity, To find world peace. God is One! B.E. This poem came from a conversation with my youngest son, Wayne Sharp, About Muhammad bringing higher mathematics and everything must have an equation. Also, to incorporate my favorite saying from 'Abdu'l-Bahá |
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COMMITMENT REQUIRED Commitment is a pledge that all can win. What really does it mean, when did it begin? God committed to mankind His covenant, Our vow gains us knowledge and life abundant. God promises to be there for us always, Our commitment should be on a lofty gaze. Few want to make a commitment now-a-days, Until tragedy threatens our life and ways. Some couples don't want to commit to marriage, Still children require a united carriage, Plus guidance for their generation to gain, Or their forward progress will be on the wane. Commitment doesn't mean that we don't stray, As we're forever learning God's way. God's Covenant requires our commitment, The sooner the better, before life is spent! B.E. This is self-explanatory but it's something I felt needed to be said, because I too have struggled with commitment |
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MAN Now there are rumors and theories. About man's original beginning, Science now has DNA tests, But tests of spirit and soul are God's. These are the traits that separate, The species of man from the animal. As God made man in his image., We have on the highest authority, The answer is now confirmed, Bahá'u'lláh says, "man was always man". B.E. My thoughts without rhyme but with lots of reason. Bahá'u'lláh's statement clarified any confusion I might of had about man's original Beginning. There is the golden thread of truth that runs through the Bahá'í writings. I pray God will grant yon the gift of recognizing it. Bahá is God's name for this day, it means Glory. If you say Ba as you breathe in and ha as you exhale you will realize that it is the very breath of life within you. |
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"The progress of man's spirit in the divine world, after the severance of its connection with the body of dust, is through the bounty and grace of the Lord alone, or through the intercession and the sincere prayers of other human souls, or through the charities and important good works which are performed in its name." --'Abdu'l-Bahá The Báb gave the following prayer to his wife when he knew he was to be executed. It is a prayer to be memorized as you will need it many times throughout life's trials. "Is there any Remover of difficulties save God? Say: Praised be God! He is God! All are His servants, and all abide by His bidding." --The Báb "Say: God sufficeth all things above all things, and nothing in the heavens or in the earth but God ssufficeth. Verily, He is in Himself the Knower, the Sustainer, the Omnipotent." --The Báb The following is a chant Bahá'u'lláh and the Bábí prisoners said while in prison in Tehran. It is well to remember it. "God is sufficient unto me. He verily, is the All-Sufficing! In Him let the trusting trust." --Bahá'u'lláh |
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