Sean Damon
02-15-2009, 01:38 PM
I would like to share this, my father's most recent poem, with you. We should never lose sight of our holy purpose.
TO THE ARTIST
Judge the treasure of your life
not by what others think or say
from remote and narrow angles
outside the circle of your light
but value your days in the sun
by the goodness you give
and the beauty you bestow
an elegant gesture and refrain
reveal more the luster of the spirit
that illumines a path for everyone
who walks the dark ways of this world
than the thrills of affluence or applause
thrive to your own driving rhythm
and the sinuous melody of your mind
in the face of threatening storms
or even amidst an illusory calm
especially in the doldrums of despair
dance on the pinnacle of your ideas
to the musings of your own mentality
for the value of the well used moment
is worth more to you and all of us
than any actions of the madding mob
the world is become a paltry place
amassed with arrogance and greed
where the solitary wizard of art
walks alone among the multitude
with eyes on the horizon to sight
hope resplendent in the morning sun
that rouses the mind and lightens the heart
listen to the constant bell beyond vision
that tolls for those to find the way
as it sounds in harmony with the wind
so heed the summons to the sacred task
and fix your gaze on the farthest star
until you are the dust of your beginning
2009
TO THE ARTIST
Judge the treasure of your life
not by what others think or say
from remote and narrow angles
outside the circle of your light
but value your days in the sun
by the goodness you give
and the beauty you bestow
an elegant gesture and refrain
reveal more the luster of the spirit
that illumines a path for everyone
who walks the dark ways of this world
than the thrills of affluence or applause
thrive to your own driving rhythm
and the sinuous melody of your mind
in the face of threatening storms
or even amidst an illusory calm
especially in the doldrums of despair
dance on the pinnacle of your ideas
to the musings of your own mentality
for the value of the well used moment
is worth more to you and all of us
than any actions of the madding mob
the world is become a paltry place
amassed with arrogance and greed
where the solitary wizard of art
walks alone among the multitude
with eyes on the horizon to sight
hope resplendent in the morning sun
that rouses the mind and lightens the heart
listen to the constant bell beyond vision
that tolls for those to find the way
as it sounds in harmony with the wind
so heed the summons to the sacred task
and fix your gaze on the farthest star
until you are the dust of your beginning
2009