Skip to main content

SOFT, GENTLE, YET DEEP STEPS by Chemutai Sigei


I wrote these poems as a celebration: offerings of gratitude to The Universe as I experience it …

They are in tune with the style of the oral traditions of Swahili poetry from Kenya, East Africa, where I come from. The first poem came one morning as I was taking a walk along a beautiful pond near my home. I was struck by a wondrous experience of the glorious universe before and within me. Feeling the words flow from my heart, I wrote them down on my phone as I sat beside a beautiful pond.

The second poem is what emerged from my heart as I was meditating on peace and kindness towards others, reflecting on the way we experience this life on earth.

Photography from Gregory Colber's 'Ashes and Snow' exhibit

Our Abundant Mother: The Universe

How can we thank our abundant Mother, The Universe?
She gives and sustains life in her womb
She provides us with air to breathe
She silently toils and yields more than we can consume
She gives us light and clothes us with warmth
She gives and gives without a break
All, abounds in greatest measures
How can we thank our abundant Mother, The Universe?


Soft, Gentle And Yet Deep Steps

Oh I wish everyone's steps were soft as petals here on earth:
Light and yet deep in depth
Gentle with a likeness of baby's first steps
And beautiful like prints of flowers
Remember, your steps manifest that which is high
Oh! I wish they would be the gentlest steps
Which bring peace, love, joy and happiness to all on earth.




Chemutai Sigei: “I am from from Kenya, East Africa. I currently live and work in the southern part of United States. Over recent months, I realized that, I'm drawn to understanding the purpose and meaning of this life. Therefore, I took upon this life's calling to embrace this realization and practice journeying inwardly to understanding the true self as well as understanding those of my fellow human beings. I spend most of the time reading books on spirituality and meditation. I also like to write inspirational words, and now poems, as I have come to understand." Connect with Chemutai in facebook here. 

*For submission guidelines, click here.*

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

IMAGINE A WOMAN by Patricia Lynn Reilly

  This poem invites you to look upon yourself with loving kindness… Gazing at your own true reflection, you will discover that everything you have longed for “out there” is already within you! I invite you to love your creativity fiercely. Faithfully plant seeds, allowing under-the-ground dormant seasons, nurturing your creative garden with love and gratitude. In the fullness of time, the green growing things thrust forth from the ground. It's a faithful, trustworthy process. AND it takes time and patience.  Blessed is the fruit of your creative womb! I invite you to trust your vision of the world and express it. With wonder and delight, paint a picture, create a dance, write a book, and make up a song. To give expression to your creative impulses is as natural as your breathing. Create in your own language, imagery, and movement. Follow no script. Do not be limited by the customary way things have been expressed. Your creative intuition is original. Ga...

IN THE STILLNESS OF THE NIGHT by Ginny Brannan

 Just take a moment to pause... When life becomes rote, and frustration grows from being immersed in the same routine—different day, sometimes we need to remind ourselves that peace is still there—within our grasp— if we just take a moment to pause and enjoy the stillness and beauty around us. In the Stillness of the Night  by Ginny Brannan Late winter’s eve and all is still the lawn lies bathed in silver light— gray shadows race across the yard and climb atop the windowsill to draw my gaze upon the sight. I stare out to the moonlit night, across the deck and wooded path fresh–painted by new fallen snow. The scene infuses with delight; this gift inside storm’s aftermath. Half–buried now, the old birdbath lies shadowed deep in indigo— it waits on promise of the spring when arctic chill has finally passed and snow gives way to new green grass. With gratitude, I hedge to go; tranquility allays my soul… I turn ...

STILL I RISE by Maya Angelou

Six years ago, I had the privilege of listening to Maya Angelou speak live on the value of poetry at the University of Florida. I share these reflections with you again today, in honor of her birthday.  I was relieved to get one of the last seats available for this rare event, having arrived at five for Maya Angelou ’s free speech at eight. The historically long line began with people settled into beach chairs in winter coats busying themselves on tablets, or eating sandwiches for dinner. As helicopters hovered above and newscasters below, I felt the excitement of realizing that thousands of people were gathering together to hear an eighty four year old black woman recite her poetry! Maya Angelou speaking at University of Florida on Feb. 27, 2013  When the curtain rose -after an overflow of hundreds were sent away- we lucky ones on the inside greeted Maya with a standing ovation, as she smiled sweetly, beginning her talk using metaphors from nature. Maya asked...