To be alive

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To be alive isn't just to be alive and kicking
feeling your own legs and limbs.
To be alive is to
percieve the sights and sounds
that those who have kicked the bucket can't appreciate
until resurrection and the long wait for heaven's gate

God's most precious gift to us
Is life which He breathed into our souls.

But to be alive is to thaw
the frozen cold heart
with the warmth of feeling
coz we aren't born coldblooded.

Alive is
the sense of hearing
that hearkens not just the artificial violin
but the natural songbird's birdsong.
To see not just the obvious, the apparent
but as well to see with the eyes of wisdom.
To not just gaze at silver screens and the telly all day
But rather to gaze and observe all of nature's scenery and sights around you,
Let us not be the living dead....

To feel not just your own skin,
to not spend life touching cellphones
but rather employ the sense of touch
to feel petals and other critters.
To be alive isn't to smell your own breath and sweat
but to inhale all the distinct fragrances of nature.
And to taste not merely of the artificial flavors
of fizzy pale poison refined sugar's sodas
but to cup your hands to taste the raindrop!

Do I in anyway imply by this that those born blind, deaf or dumb are less alive?
Never! For I've seen the blind appreciate divinely created nature far more than the seeing.
For to the blind every sound is precious,
for every voice they are grateful.
And every touch has meaning...
For a missing and lacking sense or organ is compensated by the activation of the other senses or organs.
I had a domestic helper who was deaf
yet so smart and more eagle-eyed, keen and alert about happenings around her

Be alive with all your God given senses
Don't wait to be deprived of even one,
to appreciate them.
For senses like limbs, freeze and can get impaired
when they're not in usage.
God created this world for our toil and to appreciate life as a divine present,
We must thank Him for granting us existence
so we deserve the next life in heaven.

The spirit of poetry guides my inking I feel
it tells me what to jot down from m my myriad thoughts

Author's Note

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Reviews

[.]

I like the quotes. Saw you on the home-page. Well liked this so much.😀 Simply I'd say it's like finding hope in darkness... Umm alliteration in an unrhymed poem (just example) This is a different one from alliteration... Great Write hope you'd like to see my page as well.😉
Good Luck!

[.]

There's someone else here to be the reason. Focus on you critique... :) you'll do great.

[S.zaynab.kamoonpury]

Sorry I don't get u. What reason and what someone else? Warmest thanxx for your fine comment on my poem.

[.]

nevermind. :) You're doing really well.

[Lathen Griffiths]

Very nice, a little bit too carpe diem but very good ;)

[S.zaynab.kamoonpury]

Lol this mentions the afterlife so it’s not just carpe diem solely. My writes are usually always both carpe down and futuristic about heavenly life too but obviously I don’t expect you to do the same unless you wish to.

[Lathen Griffiths]

Lol, you set a theme of BS , I followed ;)

[S.zaynab.kamoonpury]

Um you mean carpe diem is bs? I like carpe diem but only extend its scope.

[S.zaynab.kamoonpury]

Oops in my earlier comment my cellphone autocorrected carpe diem to carpe down ., typo..

[tranquilspace]

You looked for a way to describe the feeling and the word alive while selling the idea and how God has given life.

[S.zaynab.kamoonpury]

Yeah both always mostly. I hope there is nothing wrong with it, its for free so im not really selling it ; ;. Warm thanks for comment anyway. I will read yours too.

[tranquilspace]

Nope, it's perfectly alright, thank you very much

[Seriana]

What an extraordinary piece! In a way, it felt like a church sermon. And I mean that in a good way. So many great, yet gentle reminders her of what is really important in life and what isn't. I found this piece to be like a guiding hand rather than preachy parent. One that you'd listen to the message and welcome it.
I enjoyed this very much. Thank you for sharing such wondrous words!
Blessings
Amber

[Zeitgeist Manifesto]

This poem is like a collection of gifts bestowed on humanity. You've reminded us to be thankful for our lives and to consider ourselves fortunate to be here. It is inspiring.

[S.zaynab.kamoonpury]

Thanks soo much for your great lofty way you summed this prose up. Best wishes,

[Neville]

despite everything tis a joy to be sure.... life that is....

Leonard Norman Cohen once asked "is a rat more alive than a turtle"

Poem enjoyed my friend..

Neville

[barleygirl]

As for your artwork (sayings) -- I also believe that the universe is constantly sending us signals & part of the job of becoming aware is to be able to pick up on these signals thru-out life. I love how your message is half down-to-earth straightforward persuasion & the other half is done thru imagery, showing us what this might feel like & you use vivid, original-sounding examples of how it feels to be alive, & also NOT alive. "Smell your own breath & sweat" is a great analogy for how some people are so self-absorbed, they do not see the bigger picture or the balance . . . just seeing our own ugly response to the junk that assaults us & makes us stink & fume. There are many such vivid ways you have of showing & evoking a ton of feelings behind each image (((HUGS))) Fondly, Margie

[AJNJ]

Hey zaynab!
Reading this very enlightening piece, I felt like I was listening to someone trying their hand painstakingly at a long, laborious, philosophical kind of speech to a trapped, exasperated audience with darting eyes, impatiently tapping feet, looking longingly at the exit. How about more show than tell? How about better examples than "I had a domestic helper who was deaf" - Boy. That sounded condescending. And a bit insensitive..? ."those who have kicked the bucket can appreciate..."
One saving grace...your English is good unlike some utterly hopeless cases I have seen here. You just need to be more imaginative and to the point. Overall I agree with your message. So good luck with your future pieces.

[S.zaynab.kamoonpury]

Hi pestonjee hmm well u r of the minority who think this is si laborious that you are looking for an exit so desperately one wonders at your entrance. And i don't find mentioning the case of a deaf woman insensitive gosh. Condescending? Gah seriously? Nah, its to appreciate those with deprived senses instead.
And kicked the bucket is slang i used for fun. And your saving grace corr thats what is so condescending. You do have an attitude of some presumptuous poet who thinks he writes better and masterpieces only. Thats how u come off . You can read my other poems to see if they aren't imaginative and if they are also laborious. You can't judge me like that. Besides im more focused on my message which has to be crystal clear for the layman. So thanks for your criticism, i wouldn't mind u critiquing though. I will check out your perfect poems soon.

[AJNJ]

As expected you're not just ignorant to your flaws but stubborn and arrogant to boot. No worries. Carry on fooling yourself. The world won't be fooled however. And as regards your offer of reading more of your work...thanks but no thanks, I'll pass on reading the rest of it. One was enough. Good luck to you.

[S.zaynab.kamoonpury]

Noh I'm not arrogant nor ignorant, you have both these qualities anyone can see. I'm not going to be fooled and I'm not fooling around. The world reads my poetry in a positive kinder light than you, most of them are polite and gentle without sarcastic mockery of my work that your words make it seem. Thanks anyway.

[AJNJ]

No worries. Enjoy entertaining the world 😅 all the best to you

[S.zaynab.kamoonpury]

I don't see why you mock me. I was taught to not mock anyone for anything.

[AJNJ]

No worries. Enjoy reading that duffer joker below who’s stalking me around and leaving comments wherever I review. She’s begging you to read her. Trying to advertise her laughworthy attempts at writing. Enjoy networking all of you 😜

[AJNJ]

Just to prove how fake the duffer below is- she’s here because I critiqued you and she wants to gain mileage out of that. Don’t believe her fake review. She’s here because of me.

[S.zaynab.kamoonpury]

Why do u mock both her and my writings? Mockery is not right.

[AJNJ]

Sorry. Not intentional 😞 I’ll go. No one likes Pestonjee’s feedback. Take care.

[Robert Trakofler]

certainly a worthwhile message in here Zaynab:) Much is lost when so many concern there efforts to an electronic handheld device and not peek out from under the screen to what is right in front of them:(

[S.zaynab.kamoonpury]

Yay yeahh indeed, I like how you put it poet Bunny, you make us realize how we could miss out on so much by staring at those screens. Ok best wishes in life.

[Laura Kate]

I really like your opening verse, and the concept that it is our perceptions, our senses that those who have kicked the bucket will miss being able to appreciate in life, rather than physicality. Your writing is very philosophical and flows from symbolism to words of advice - there is a fine line here though, sometimes words of advice can appear too pushy and although I think you dance back and forth over this fine line, you don't take it too far. This is the first I have read from you and I enjoyed it! Looking forward to reading more.
Laura.

[S.zaynab.kamoonpury]

Yeah I plan to edit so ithe poem doesn't sound too pushy; my poem's a reminder to me as well. I feel sad when peoples tend to listen to rock and pop music and ignore the refreshing healthier birdsong so my poem might just make people realise the need to connect.
Warm thanks for your review.

[Laura Kate]

Absolutely, I understand how you feel! And it is a lovely message you are conveying. :)

[S.zaynab.kamoonpury]

I'm glad you are of those who understand.🌷 take care.