I ... entered the poem of life, whose purpose is ... simply to witness the beauties of the world, to discover the many forms that love can take. (Barabara Blackman in 'Glass After Glass')

These poems are works in progress and may be updated without notice. Nevertheless copyright applies to all writings here and all photos (which are either my own or used with permission). Thank you for your comments. I read and appreciate them all, and reply here to specific points that seem to need it — or as I have the leisure. Otherwise I reciprocate by reading and commenting on your blog posts as much as possible.

11 July 2015

Life Purpose

‘Come to the workshop I’m hosting!’ my friend invites.
‘The presenter is so insightful, yet gentle. Wouldn’t it be
wonderful to know your purpose? Just think of the ways
that knowledge could transform your life!’  I smile
and say I can’t go. Not exactly true. I won’t go. And yes
the money would have stopped me anyway, but it isn’t that.

At 75, I have mellowed into my purpose. It’s been
a very fine life — of highs and lows, joy and pain
‘and the whole damn thing’. I wouldn’t swap much.
Confusion and struggle may be necessary, I think.
Sometimes our purpose presents us with hurdles.
We gain power and direction as we run and jump.

For the life that remains to me now, my purpose
is to read poems and love them; to write some
that others may love; to exchange thoughts
with my friends, and spend time together;
to visit with family; take good care of my cat;
stay healthy if I can; give help as needed or asked.

To breathe in deep delight, along with the life 
I breathe in; to cherish equally ocean and leaf;
to pay my bills and clean my home; to laugh; to dance;
to know myself blessed. My purpose is Love, and to be
an instrument of the Universe when I am called upon:
guided and used, a vehicle for Life’s purpose.
Linked to Poets United's Poetry Pantry #260
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37 comments:

  1. rallentanda11 July 2015 at 17:38

    .Contented and at peace with your lot ... that is blessed indeed.A lovely read Rosemary !

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  2. Susan11 July 2015 at 21:48

    I love these days when we know who we are! Sure, workshops could lead to more but enough, enough, fullness has arrived. And there is so much to enjoy. I love this deep and honest poem.

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  3. Sherry Blue Sky12 July 2015 at 00:28

    I Wish I'd Written This - but I could not have said it any more perfectly. Me, too, Rosemary. Exactly. If we havent found our purpose by now, we'd better go round again, LOL. I love what Susan says - "fullness has arrived."

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  4. Mary12 July 2015 at 11:45

    Rosemary, I resonate with your truth. At a certain age we do 'mellow" into one's purpose....and things that were important earlier in life are not as important any more. I think this is the way it should be. For every thing there is a season. And there is no greater purpose than to 'love.'

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  5. J Cosmo Newbery12 July 2015 at 16:35

    A lovely foray into life's purpose.

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  6. Sumana Roy12 July 2015 at 17:08

    it's good when Time is at our disposal...we spend it as we wish....love the contentment of living a wonderful life here...a lovely poem Rosemary :)

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  7. Jae Rose12 July 2015 at 17:45

    Life is all about the little things...i love the directness and humour in this piece particularly - 'At 75, I have mellowed into my purpose' - it matches your beautiful profile picture...a wonderful place and state of being to aspire to

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  8. Sanaa Rizvi12 July 2015 at 17:58

    For the life that remains to me now, my purpose
    is to read poems and love them; to write some
    that others may love;

    This is a beautiful poem Rosemary. Might I add that your work never ceases to amaze me.. its such a delight to read your poems as there is always something that inspires me :D

    Lots of love,
    Sanaa

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  9. kaykuala12 July 2015 at 17:58

    Love very much fills the void whenever one is happy but more so when sad. It fulfills the yearnings to make life more tolerable and manageable! Very openly expressed Rosemary!

    Hank

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  10. Anonymous12 July 2015 at 18:43

    love the straightforwardness and the contentedness - quite an achievement to 'mellow into your purpose'

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  11. thotpurge12 July 2015 at 20:11

    Here's one that loves your poem! 'At 75, I have mellowed into my purpose' - not easy to achieve! Cheers and more power to you!

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  12. brudberg12 July 2015 at 20:21

    I think being mellow and to share is so great compared to search forever. Like the sentiments expressed.

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  13. Vandana Sharma12 July 2015 at 21:16

    if love is our purpose then we need nothing else:)

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  14. Truedessa12 July 2015 at 23:04

    There is beauty in your poem and I think you have found your purpose
    sometimes our purpose changes through the seasons of our life. My
    favorite stanza is the last one..

    To breathe in deep delight, along with the life
    I breathe in; to cherish equally ocean and leaf;

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  15. SuyashJ13 July 2015 at 02:56

    such insight!

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  16. Panchali13 July 2015 at 03:19

    Insightful..enjoy the new-found free time, Rosemary. Enjoyed reading...

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  17. J.N.T.13 July 2015 at 06:51

    Hi Rosemary, I enjoyed this very much for its honest and experienced vibe. I have always been an anticipator of my future (if there's such a term) and this made me all the more optimistic of my own journey in this temporary world. thank you for this.

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  18. Unknown13 July 2015 at 06:51

    Rosemary I loved this. I remember as a young mom/wife grabbing at every seminar and every book to make me better. The thing that made me better at being a person was being "me" rather than the cookie cutter version of "me." I think it is wonderful that you can enjoy your days and savor each one.

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  19. Gemma Wiseman13 July 2015 at 06:54

    Knowing who you are can only be improved by accepting who you are - no matter the dissent or the misunderstanding that may cause. If a sense of fulfilment satisfies the spirit, then the journey is right for you. Lovely thoughts.

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  20. Liz Rice-Sosne13 July 2015 at 07:09

    I LOVE THIS POEM. It made me feel so comfortable no, comfy. Warm and fuzzy. I have not ever read another thing that made me feel that way - I just love it. Thank you Rosemary. I have a new blog: http://nohwherebuthere.blogspot.com

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  21. Gillena Cox13 July 2015 at 07:35

    A beautiful purposeful life.stay blessed dear Rosemary
    Have a good Sunday

    Much love...

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  22. Maude Lynn13 July 2015 at 08:39

    Rosemary, this is truly, truly beautiful.

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  23. Raining Iguanas13 July 2015 at 10:19

    Soothing words.

    Peace to you

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  24. Wendy Bourke13 July 2015 at 10:53

    I love this personal manifesto, of sorts ... we should all write one. I think it is good to stay grounded in reality whilst uplifting our spirits with love, purpose and creative thought.

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  25. Anonymous13 July 2015 at 12:29

    We should all learn from this.

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  26. Kerry O'Connor13 July 2015 at 19:40

    Confusion and struggle may be necessary, I think.

    Such wisdom comes with age. The youth of today don't get it.

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  27. Gen Giggles 13 July 2015 at 21:19

    A great poem. Our purpose in life is simply to live, there isn't anything else there.

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  28. Marcoantonio Arellano (Nene)13 July 2015 at 23:59

    it is this hopefully all humans aspire in their longing years. to become as close to a loving giving being that we can be. your voice is heard and your heart is felt, mi amiga, in this piece

    gracias for sharing a piece of you

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  29. ZQ14 July 2015 at 02:57

    Peaceful and delightfully expressed.
    ZQ

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  30. X14 July 2015 at 03:51

    It amazes me at times how many self help books and seminars there are - and how many go to multiple ones just trying to figure out their purpose. I do think it becomes easier as you go along to see your purpose. People around you should be able to identify your purpose without you even saying it. It is what your life is about.

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  31. Vinay Leo R.14 July 2015 at 04:01

    Quite beautiful a purpose, and quite beautiful a poem, Rosemary. :) I agree with X's comment too. So many self-help books, but not one can really help us find purpose. That's a vision we see and, as you so rightly put it, mellow into!

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  32. Rosemary Nissen-Wade14 July 2015 at 18:23

    I greatly appreciate all these wonderful comments! Thank you.

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  33. Donna@LivingFromHappiness14 July 2015 at 20:02

    Such a beautiful gentle glide with you as you mellow into that purpose....

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  34. Anonymous14 July 2015 at 21:14

    I'm not quite done with the striving, although it has mellowed a great deal and the distractions are more often welcomed gifts. I really like the pace of your words and the contentment you have found.

    Elizabeth

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  35. Unknown15 July 2015 at 00:23

    I love the wisdom and honesty of this piece, Rosemary. And the peace. REALLY appreciate the hard-won peace.

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  36. Locomente17 July 2015 at 21:13

    Very nicely expressed... Wise words...

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