Another IPS (Inner Peace Symptom):  a tendency to notice and appreciate many joys.  [Obsessing on and holding tightly to one kind of joy kills it.  If you notice and appreciate many joys, then your days just fill up with them.]

I think I have to agree with Henri Matisse, who said, “Ever since there have been men, man has given himself over to too little joy.  That alone, my brothers, is our original sin.  I should believe only a God who understands how to dance.“

I want my art and my poetry to evoke joyousness.  I want it to stand there sparkling at you, inviting you to come join the dance.

The world is so very heavy with sorrow and grief.  So many people stand around shaking their heads and bending their necks.  Their mouths frown and their tears are enough to drown your heart.

Can’t we just hold hands and tell each other warm and funny things and laugh and laugh and laugh?  Can’t we jump around and do a jig and spin until we get all dizzy and fall down to the ground all pleased with each other?

Sad is always with us, that’s true.  But, really, there is also so much joy.

Sometimes when I am not able to come up with any kind of theme for a poem, I’ll start “journal-diving,” reviewing notes I’ve made in old journals from years past and see what I was thinking on back in the day. 

This poem is a result of one of those journal-diving sessions:

 

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MY PROMISE TO ME

This is my promise to me:
I WILL get back to the laughter
(I do like it best of all) –
The only balm that really works
To ease the ouch of another fall.

I’ve always kept my promises;
This one’s got guarantees…
Laughter is the key that unfetters
All the joyous energies.

I will get back to the laughter
Despite despond and despair.
(I’ve done this one before.
I know ’bout treading air.)

That brightness is waiting dormant,
Just waiting for the shout.
Ghastly shadows turn and flee
When I can send laughter spiraling out and out.

Laughter – big and wild and full –
Shields me from the slings-and-arrows,
Punches through the doom-and-gloom,
Navigates the narrows.

Laughter grows me wings
And launches me high.
I can swoop and dip and spiral
Into the deepest sky.

I WILL get back to the laughter
And when I do – don’tcha know –
I’ll look around at all the Is,
Get myself past all the Was,
Beat my wings right on through into What Can Be….

Shoots!  We go!

by Netta Kanoho

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Picture credit:  Jumping Silhouettes by Antoine Gady via Flickr [CC BY-ND 2.0]

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SOME OTHER POSTS TO EXPLORE

(Click on each of the post titles below and see where it takes you…)

• A LIFE DANCE
• LIFE IS GOOD
• FIND THE SAVOR

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