Look Into Their Eyes

It is a rare thing

Presence. Like the flow of rain

water on your cheek.

Strangely comforting, like tears

in a tidal wave of grief.

.

Not often do we

take time to truly listen:

the heavy burden

of loss and pain and heartache

known by so many of us.

.

Yet it's so simple

to see in their eyes a hope

a glimmer, yearning

for a better life, full of

endless possibilities.

.

And when happiness

surprises with light blue wings,

feel the wistful wind

and be sure to look into

their eyes, those glorious eyes.

.

It is so precious

a caring touch, a gentle

word, a smile, a look

from someone who truly sees

and gives the gift of their time.

It is a rare and

beautiful thing, to be kind.

To stop and to say

(while looking into their eyes)

"Thank you very much."

.

Look into their eyes,

infinite realms of longing

and see there your Self.

All differences dissolve

in the ocean of being.

Note on style of this poem:

I chose a style of poetry known first in Japan: tanka, which basically means "short poem."

Tanka poetry is a non-rhyming poem with a meter pattern of 5-7-5-7-7.

The first three lines of a tanka (5-7-5) are called "upper phrase" in Japanese: kami-no-ku, while the last two lines (7-7) are called "lower phrase": shimo-no-ku.

I have adapted the tanka form here, repeating the five lines as stanzas in a longer poem.

As when writing haiku, the strict attention to form in a tanka helps me to focus on the precise words I want to choose for the meaning and the feeling I hope to evoke. I find the "lower phrase" especially full of potential for expression.