These words from Auden came to mind, as I watched how people were moved as President Obama delivered his inaugural speech:
Intellectual disgrace
Stares from every human face,
And the seas of pity lie
Locked and frozen in each eye.
Follow, poet, follow right
To the bottom of the night,
With your unconstraining voice
Still persuade us to rejoice;
With the farming of a verse
Make a vineyard of the curse,
Sing of human unsuccess
In a rapture of distress;
In the deserts of the heart
Let the healing fountain start,
In the prison of his days
Teach the free man how to praise.
From In Memory Of W B Yeats by W H Auden
In President Obama we have a leader, who by the power of his oration can uplift people to open their hearts; the opening to love for themselves and their fellowmen. His words have the capacity to awaken within us that which has been denied by untruths that we tell ourselves; by those who are afraid, by those who wish to maintain the status quo or by those others who seek to oppress.
He is not just a politician, he is a teacher, one who can inspire us to seek the highest within ourselves. He exemplifies the beauty of melding the intellect with empathy and wisdom.
It is no coincidence that at a time when the icons of our outer world come tumbling down and we need to look within for the foundations of our own truth that we choose a leader who can point us in that direction. His ideals of hope, of unity, of service to our fellowmen are pivotal to the renewal of faith and to the ownership of that which is most valuable in life; love, kindness and compassion for ourselves and for all beings.
{ 12 comments… read them below or add one }
Everything happens at exactly the right time. Human beings become aware of the real reasons for things only as they need to do so. The spirit does not heed burdens of grief. Spirit see through such illusion. Obama is like the switch which triggers each of us to flick on the unlimited light within. We learn to attune to feelings and conceptions and disregard what is no longer necessary. The process is undeway.
Hi Miruh,
What a captivating poem.
There is no doubt that Obama moves the ocean in people. He is essentially giving them a reason to believe in him and an opportunity to grow with him. It’s the hands-on experience that I think inspires people. Like many politicians, he doesn’t seem to be out of reach but instead, he is one of us.
I agree – he has renewed faith in the people at a time when our faith has been shattered and that’s something that a president hasn’t done in a very long time.
Peace my friend.
How beautiful you are….
Truly my sister… I am always nourished when i come here…
To this healing fountain created by your spirit,
Heres to a new day,
With love, M
Your words are true, it is no accident that President Obama is where he is at this moment. I am grateful for his presence and look forward to his stewardship.
A great poem and a great post. Thanks for sharing them, Miruh.
Watching from Britain, I share your optimism for the Obama presidency. It isn’t reasonable to believe that he can really heal America and heal the world. So great are the challenges before him, there is no reason to believe he can succeed. But Obama is coming from a place *beyond* reason, where wisdom and love reside. That is his great strength – and that is where he takes us with his words.
Hello Liara,
I agree, there is a time and season for everything and the masses are ready to create a paradigm shift. We are tuning into something great and wonderful within each of us.
Thank you for sharing your wisdom as always.
Peace to you my friend!
Hello Alexys,
Auden’s tribute to his friend Yeats after his death is so relevant here:
With the farming of a verse
Make a vineyard of the curse…
These two lines from the poem sums up Obama’s ability to move us to have faith in something greater. He holds a vision of which we can be co-creators if we have faith.
I appreciate your insightful words my friend.
Soft peace to you!
My dear Maithri,
Your gracious presence here is a healing fountain!
It is my intention that this be a place where one can come to rejuvenate the spirit and rest in beauty and love.
May it be so!
May deep peace and warm love follow you my friend!
Hello Mark,
Yes the time has come to love or perish. There is no other choice here. Let us hope we heed the call and work with Obama to heal the past.
May love follow you always my friend!
Hello Simon,
The poem really speaks to me about the power of words to heal.
I am glad you like it.
“It isn’t reasonable to believe that he can really heal America and heal the world…”
I agree, Obama cannot heal the world just as any healer does not heal. A healer is a co-creator in our healing journey, they create a space of safety for us to open to our own innate healing ability and I believe that is what his leadership will do.
Thanks for your gracious presence here my friend!
May you hear your soul’s wisdom and bask in its light!
When the time is right, the teacher will appear.
How often I have clung to these words taught to me during recovery; I believe the time is right for Obama, a man who embodies Spirit, to teach a better way.
Hello Marion,
True, the teacher appears when the time is right. Through faith and perseverance we draw that which is in our highest destiny.
Our destiny is the leaving off of despair and to seek the high road of oneness. Our inner connection and the unity of all beings.
May the unfolding of the way be easeful and joyful for you, my friend!
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