On Time, On Good and Evil, On Prayer, On Pleasure, On Beauty & On Religion
The Prophet By Kahlil Gibran Audio #6
Tag: beauty
A Soul Apart – In Loving Memory of Karina Acosta
This poem was written on the news of the death of the young and beautiful Karina Acosta a few years ago. She gave birth to her son in New York City and unfortunately for this world had contracted an infection while in the hospital and died a few shorts day later. She was a professional in the precious metals industry and was working at Mitsui Precious Metals at the time. She was a member of the IPMI and her name is never forgotten. I wish I had a picture of her to include with this to share with the readers. I hope for the readers that somehow the poem imparts the force of presence that was this young woman’s smile and personality.
I knew her,
Too few years
Yet my heart
Is filled with tears
News of her passing
Shall take its toll
On those she touched
With her beautiful soul
Always smiling
A beautiful face
She brought happiness
To any place
From Metro Mexico
She did come
To New York City
She brought the sun
At Peñoles and Mitsui
She was hired
Her gracious presence
Raised them higher
The precious metals
Were her care
They now lose their luster
Without her there
A family’s love
Is left behind
Also left,
Hundreds of friendships
Which she did mine
Before she went
She left a present
Alonso, a beautiful son
Her loving intent
A word,
That comes to mind
In thinking of her
Is love divine
Her loving grace
She gave to fill our hearts
Where it hurts,
Bring it in to mend
The tearing part
Dear Karina
You left us too fast
But you’ve touched us all
A true blessing
That will never pass
(C) G. Miguel Perez-Santalla
Heaven’s Right
Heaven’s Right
Gazing at the ocean
A rhythm of sounds
Waves crash without caution
Miracles abound
–
Creatures in the water
Birds cruising in the air
Man uses its contraptions
To get near there
–
Like the gift of flight
Given to the gulls
Men are given thought
As wind to lift our souls
–
If we sometimes fail
To use it to take flight
Let’s not blame our maker
He has given us our might
–
Instead look to the heavens
Listening for what is right
Its awe filling presence will fill us
With His merciful love each night
©Miguel Perez-Santalla
Reason to Rejoice
I was walking on a trail in the Watchung Reservation with my three dogs. It was a hot day and this is the best time to go into the woods were the temperature is typically 10 to 20 degrees cooler. There were very few people in the woods, most likely because a Saturday in August draws people to beaches and pools. It was a pleasure and though we did see others in the woods it was very quiet and I felt very isolated.
I sat for a few moments to give the dogs a rest and to watch and listen to nature unveil itself around me. I sat on a log and I was able to spot some deer about a tenth of a mile away. I also spotted a woodpecker. Later while walking I would see some other birds but most are skittish and once they hear me they move so fast I can’t identify them.
Still as we walked through the woods I couldn’t help but wonder how many persons walked through here. I thought back to the times of George Washington and his men and how they probably passed through here on the way to the battle of Union. I thought about the local Indians and how this was their stomping grounds.Then I looked at all the tress that lovers and travelers carved their initials on.
So many people have passed through here. Some may have thought themselves important. But nature always brings you back to reality as the awesomeness raises my own awareness of my mortality and lack of importance. I am humbled as I walk among the trees many that may be as much as one hundred or more years old.
It dawned on me. Life is a gift and the short time we are here we need to appreciate and use to the best of our abilities. By working towards the greater good with a true love for life and the life of all around us we become a very important part of the life of the world. We become givers of life to the next generation and to those that live around us. Now that is an important function and responsibility.
We all have a responsibility to live to our fullest. That is the gift we call life. So I left the woods feeling invigorated and joyful.
I wish all my walks were as productive!
Have a great life!
Miguel Perez-Santalla
A Beautiful Place
I had bought a pair of binoculars at least 10 years back at a garage sale. These were in perfect condition. I had no idea what I would use it for and at the time I was going to many baseball games with my sons. Whenever we had nosebleed seats we would bring them along. It’s not very helpful to look through binoculars while at a game. You miss the action trying to track it down. For the most part they have sat on the shelf in my office for many years.
Recently I mentioned we had Robins nest in a pine tree outside our bathroom window. I was able to watch them through the whole process. Nesting, laying the eggs, sitting on the eggs, the hatch-lings, raising their young and finally the young leaving the nest. I began to get curious about the beautiful creatures we call birds.
I bought a book on birds in New Jersey. I got my binoculars out and now I am trying to take note of all the birds and their names. I am checking them off in the book and keeping a journal of my bird spotting. But to be sure I check the correct bird name I need my binoculars ….. my eyes are not so sharp anymore, even close up.
This morning I went for an early morning walk at 6 am. It happens that is when all the birds wake up and start their day. I was able to spot four different birds on my walk. As I was walking I had an interesting revelation.
The birds fly about gather food and enjoy the beauty around them. We humans on the other hand think we need to acquire or make beauty. Spending money on this or that thing. I am not saying that is all together a bad thing but some worry about it way too much. Many feel they need to keep up with the “Jones’s”.
If we step back and behave more like birds we will find more peace and harmony in our lives. They care about the basic necessities and worry about taking care of each other. It seems like loving each other is their top priority. They don’t fret about many things. When the chores are done they sit back and enjoy the beauty that already surrounds us.
Simply put, the focus should be in making our homes a place of love like the birds do. If we do that then beautiful things in life will become more abundant. And they aren’t things you can buy. Our homes become the beautiful place.
PS: The most common bird in my neighborhood is our tenant’s family, the American Red Breasted Robin.
The Metamorphosis of Life 