Pearls within, sun powered, holding fast and drawing near

    "... the pearls of wisdom and utterance have appeared from the shells of the great sea of 

    Thy knowledge ..."

    So fascinating to learn about pearls as they are truly unique. They are the only

    gemstones in the world that come from a living creature. Mollusks such as oysters

    and mussels create pearls when an irritating particle gets inside their shells.

    This particle, when trapped, causes the mollusk to defend itself by coating this

    annoying irritant with nacre. The beautiful glow of pearls comes from numerous

    layers of this coating and the process can take anywhere from two to four years

    to develop. For all of us, problems often enter our lives and bring consequences

    good and bad. If we respond in the right way to such tests we can forge things of

    beauty in our own lives. Such inner gems will be formed by the wisdom gained as

    a result of these experiences and are reflected in what we say and how we treat others.

    "..and the heavens of divine revelation have been adorned with the light of the appearance of 

    the sun of Thy countenance."

    From time immemorial God has sent Educators to this world and their teachings have

    transformed the societies and civilizations that have arisen in their wake. Such divine

    teachers have always been subjected to persecution and suffering but the truth of their

    spiritual teachings nurture humanity just as powerfully as the radiance of the sun brings

    life-giving energy to the physical world.

    "Thou beholdest them clinging to the rope of Thy grace and holding fast unto the hem of the mantle of Thy beneficence."

    If you have ever clung to a rope you will be familiar with the frightening feeling of being

    hauled about without you being able to decide either direction or pace. Dragged off your

    feet at times but clinging stubbornly throughout it all. We have to grip tightly and trust

    God even when swept up by events we can neither predict nor control. Holding fast to

    God's love, under all conditions, is the only viable option!

    "Ordain for them that which may draw them nearer unto Thee, and withhold them from 

     all else save Thee."

    It has been said, the worst thing God can do to a soul is to bless them with such good

    health, good family, good fortune, and good home that they totally forget God. We

    often only draw near to God in prayer when all goes wrong in our lives. Our desperation

    can drive us to real communion with God and our humility then allows us to receive just

    what we need at that moment. Drawing nearer to God should be a constant daily urgent

    goal whatever the distractions of this world.

quotes used from the writings of Bahá’u’lláh

warmth and freckles

The sun massages muscles 

easing tightness

The very bones begin to melt

Losing the rigidity of stress

Body sinks into the oblivion of heat

Nothing here to fear

Relaxes out of its foetal position

Stretches out limbs to seek the sun

Light hugs the contours of the skin

Which tingles in delight

At all this attention and exposure

After a winter hidden

Beneath the woollens and layers

Within one week the cosiness of socks

Have become an obscene encumbrance

It seems to happen so suddenly

This winter summer transition 

in two more weeks I shall hunt out the shade

But now in this excitement of sudden summer heat

I soak up the rays that cook the skin

and generate both warmth and freckles 

in equal abundance.

Unusual sunbathers

Unusual sunbathers

Prone on the sand

Searching an escape from their lives

I spotted the two on the rocks near the shore

Concerned because they were so still

Roasting in the mid day sun

Skin parboiled like red cabbage

Drunk tourists recovering from a heavy night

Spending the dark hours poisoning their major organs

Now intent on barbequing their largest organ too

Holidays the freedom and time to

Abuse yourself as you see fit,

Sheer fun for one and all

Unusual sunbathers

Prone on the sand

Searching an escape from their lives

My happy cousin timed her meticulous suntan to the minute

Fifteen minutes on front and then back

Even her sides got their blasting

As she perched like soda bread on the griddle

Arms uplifted to let the sun get hidden crevices

“How can something that feels so good be bad for you?”

She’d grin and laugh. Freckled and happy from the sun.

Unusual sunbathers

Prone on the sand

Searching an escape from their lives

Sunbathing, I reckon is the closest

Most people get to meditating

Trapped by the sun’s rays

Made limp by the heat

They close their eyes and are silent for once

Feeling nature work its magic on each pore

Exfoliated by sand, massaged by salty sea water

The fresh air pumps into lungs

Usually office bound

And for that second they are in the moment

Unusual sunbathers

Prone on the sand

Searching an escape from their lives

When a child I would build sand cars

As the tide came in I’d reinforce my bonnet,

Flatten off my front seat

Place shells for speedometers

The feeling of ownership

And pride in construction

Then, I’d sit while the tide came in

Wearing down my sand defences

There was that delightful moment

When the tide encircled

My car became an exquisite boat

Followed by disaster and destruction

Never made any easier by repetition

My sorrow intense

As my creation washed away

Unusual sunbathers

Prone on the sand

Searching an escape from their lives

These refugees risk everything

For a chance

Setting to sea

Paying a fortune

A shot at freedom

Fleeing war, poverty, pain or fear

They set out against the elements

And all sense

On tiny ships ill equipped

Children clasped

The fragrance of hope and salt on their lips

This Mediterranean has become a graveyard

For people who had no choice

But to take a chance

Their bodies washed up on sandy beaches

Weeks later

Bloated symbols of what has been lost

Unusual sunbathers

Prone on the sand

Searching an escape from their lives