When the light from a lighthouse shines for all: an inspirational poem
True happiness... is not attained through self-gratification, but through fidelity to a worthy purpose.
Helen Keller
This luminous beacon, in frantic search
Of the Pearl of Purpose in the darkest waters
Its light, it oft fails to converge
On point of focus, sadly falters
It falters, its glow ever diminishing,
Focused narrowly on its own needs;
The shining light, ineffectual, finishing,
Targets not when boatmen plead
Localizing, the lighthouse proceeds
Only with the pearl in mind
Not using the energy of its glow
To help the searching boatmen find
Place in this world - Michael W Smith
At times, it may brighten its shine
To help poor boatmen search for their goals;
It selfishly requires a deposit, a dime
Before it tells what it knows
With expectations of return
It beams flicker, it fails in its quest
When for boatmen, it is not concerned
Itself will not be blessed
When finally the beacon shines
For the rest of the world to see
The Pearl of Purpose it finally finds
And to the heart of its soul, the key.
Copyright (C) Michelle Liew Tsui-Lin
No part of this work is to be reproduced without prior consent of the author.
Our prime purpose in this life is to help others. And if you can't help them, at least don't hurt them.
Dalai Lama
Other inspirational poems by Michelle Liew
- In the turbulent sea of humanity
Being human is facing ups and downs - an eternal struggle to be kind, to be generous, and to be patient. - Mending life's tattered dress: a poem
When a lady puts on a dress, it can tell us quite a few things about life. Looking forward to your views! - Have room in your mind: An Inspirational Poem
A poem of appreciation for the little things in life.
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Comments
This is certainly a beautiful song.
Thanks for sharing!!! Voted up
Gorgeous layout! This is very inspirational. I love lighthouses and the symbolism and mythology behind them. I love this poem.
Came back to share this lovely poem with so much meaning. We can all use guiding lights in our lives!
This is beautiful Michelle and very inspiring. Voting this up and sharing as well. Also rated beautiful and awesome :)
I loved that last quote by the Dalai Lama..."Our prime purpose in this life is to help others. And if you can't help them, at least don't hurt them." Great words to live by! Up votes!
Love to look at the picture. It looks so calm. I like the part about the boatmen and it is neat that they need a dime to know something.
Voted up and more! :-)
Your words here are beautiful. I also like the way you organize the hub - very nice to look at the photos and as I read the poem. Vote up and sharing too.
Great poetry Michelle, voted up etc.
A beautiful message Michelle.
Another beautiful and well written poem, Michelle! Definitely a great motivation :)
Would that we all had a lighthouse to guide our way! This was so beautifully written. Voted up and awesome.
I collect lighthouses.. they fascinate me. Of course I collect just about everything.. drives my husband crazy... I love your poem..
hugs and sharing
Debbie
Very true Michelle. We think only about our own needs and desires in life and forget to help others. Helen Keller's and Dalai Lama's quotes are thought-provoking.
True happiness lies in lending a helping hand to the needy at the appropriate times. Wonderful poem that reflects on human life with your beautiful words. Cheers, Rema.
What a wonderful symbol of light, protector, saviour and love. These verses are poignant and brilliant. Inspiring to all who flow in it's message and let their heart and souls be guided by the safety of its loving beacon.
A moving quote to stir our souls. "Our prime purpose in this life is to help others. And if you can't help them, at least don't hurt them."
Dalai Lama
Midget39, what a great poem! Very deep and inspiring. This is absolutely beautiful. The pictures go great with the poem. Voting this up, awesome, and beautiful. Shared as well.
Great, we only think bout ourselves and life demands sacrifice, which you have expressed through your beautiful poetry, great message, voted up and above.
Very moving. All the lighthouses (and fog horns) around SF have been put out of action. I miss them.
love love love your poem Michelle!!!
It's awesome poem and a beautiful message. Self less acts seldom go unnoticed and no wonder this lighthouse stand tall n proud withering all storms.
Voted up as awesome.
Very well said Michelle. Selflessness not selfishness...love the photos. There's just something magical with lighthouses.
Up and beautiful.
Beautiful poem with beautiful words.
I enjoyed the read, I voted it UP, etc. will share.
You my friend are an incredibly bright lighthouse! A wonderful poem that I hope everyone will will be inspired by. We could certainly use a little less (or a whole lot less!) selfishness in this world! Voting a bunch and sharing!
I see more and more of this in today's world....selfishness runs rampant in this world....it is sad for me, and I do not understand it. There must be more to life than one's own gains.
It is a beautiful poem with lovely photos. We all need to take stock sometimes. Thanks for the great words. Voting UP.
In your poem I see the metaphorical comparison of mankind, represented by the lighthouse. When it fails to shine for its fellows, it lets all down, and when it shines and shows the righteous way in life, then it shines through from the soul as well, to light the way for future lives.Nice work, midget.
We do take so much for granted, until the day comes, when it's our own lives in peril, only then are we truly appreciative.
Even those now defunct light houses, would have saved countless lives in their time.
Michelle, you shine like a beacon always inspirational.
A great poem, and a wonderful, truthful message for your readers:-))
Navigation used to depend on lighthouses and such to tell them where the ship was. You'd get an angle on the lighthouse, them one on another point, and interpolate them on the chart. Where they intersected was the location at the time of the "fix." In life, we need some point on which to gauge our progress. We find someone to use as a lighthouse, and gain our progress in accordance with our role models. As the lighthouse served many, so much we in our lives, as we hopefully become lighthouses to others. Great Job!
well job done...very beautiful poem, All votes up and I am sharing for sure.
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