Windows of Rainbows: Inspired by a Leonard Cohen Song
The Inspiration for This Poem
I had just listened to the "The Stranger Song" by Leonard Cohen. It was about the same time that the Philippines had just been hit by a terrible typhoon destroying cities and taking many lives. The song and Cohen's voice stirred up a range of emotions, and this poem is the result.
My friend and fellow hubber Jo Goldsmith recently issued a Musical Challenge prompt as follows:
What exactly do I do if I accept this challenge?
1.) Select a song you enjoy from You Tube
2.) Listen to the song
3.) Begin writing what you feel ( free flow)
4.) Edit your writing
5.) Post your creative work (include the song)
6.) Submit your link to the comment section on this page
7.) Have fun!
I felt this hub met those guidelines, so although it had already been published I am resharing it as part of Jo's challenge. The poem 'Windows of Rainbows' can be recited to the same beat as 'The Stranger Song' or at least that was going through my head as I wrote. I therefore suggest you listen to the song before reading the poem.
Windows Of Rainbows
Sometimes you need to contemplate
The world in all its glory
All the good and bad
That happens every day.
You greet your next door neighbor
With a smile
And say, "How are you?"
But do you really wait for him to say?
You read the daily paper, or check the news online.
It doesn't really matter anyway.
Amidst all the destruction,
The death and people homeless,
Sometimes you feel that you're immune to crying.
There's surely good news out there
If you take the time to look,
But something's wrong, when
This is what you have to do.
If you have to search for happiness
Through all the pain and grief
That surrounds us from each corner
Of the world.
Then I stop and look around me
At everything I have,
And I realize how lucky
That I am.
Possessions they mean nothing,
And success...well who can judge
If what you've done in life,
Has any worth?
The only thing that matters
Is the truth within your heart,
And if your actions
Compliment your words.
I turn towards the windows,
As I hear the pitter patter
Of raindrops, as they gather
On the glass.
The sunlight is still shining,
As the rain clouds start abating,
And the droplets shine
With multi-colored hues.
Gazing through the splattered glass
All dark thoughts leave my mind,
And in their place
Bright feelings, now exposed.
Of how to make things better,
And the world a nicer place,
As I look with different eyes, through...
Windows of rainbows.
© 2013 John Hansen
Comments
AUTHORHello Shyron. It's never too late. Thanks for finding this hub and for your kind comment and vote up. Yes I hope you do join Jo's challenge.
John! How awesome, and I voted that way plus Useful, Beautiful and Interesting.
Why have I not read this before? I guess I have too many interruptions,
but one day! I will also join this beautiful challenge.
Shyron
- AUTHOR
Thank you Mari,
I am glad you found this inspiring. Greetings back from Australia.
- AUTHOR
Thanks ubani, for your kind and insightful comment as well as the vote up. Have a great day.
Very inspiring. Thanks for ur poem! Love from Philippines...
A very telling write. This world is filled with people who don't give a damn about others. It is really sad though that people prioritize on money and wealth without giving thought to people who live around them; whether they are eating or not, how they are coping and all the sorts does not even matter to them. Well, that's how the world moves. too sad.
But in all these, I love this "The only thing that matters
Is the truth within your heart,
And if your actions
Compliment your words"
I share your sentiment, Sire. keep writing. voted up and pressing the other buttons.
- AUTHOR
Yes I agree with you Jo, that all the bad things in the world will cease when He returns. I was very pleased with how this poem turned out. The words seemed very powerful when I read it out loud. I think rainbows are a sign that he has everything under control. Thanks for your kind comment, vote up and share. Blessings back.
This is so beautifully written! A profound message to try to grasp.
I feel so sad every time I hear something tragic and horrible on the news.
Yet, like you. I look around and see how lucky, blessed I am.
The day draws near when our Father will return to bring us a millennium of peace.
I noticed a rainbow in my backyard last week after a rain. I couldn't help but smile and thank God once again for all the right he is going to bring back to this so wrong world. Shared this wonderful poem. Voted up as well. Blessings to you Jodah...always...:-)
- AUTHOR
That we are Ologsinquito, as well as people who love and support us. Thanks for reading.
We are very blessed to have a nice warm, dry house and a roof over our heads.
- AUTHOR
Thank you for reading Jamie, and for your kind comment.
What a wonderful message written beautifully. Thank you Jodah! Jamie
- AUTHOR
My pleasure Audrey. thanks for reading. Have a great day.
This was a gift this morning to read--thank you!
- AUTHOR
Thank you for reading Denise and the vote up. Yes writing it did lift my spirits.
"The only thing that matters is the truth within your heart..." I loved this line especially. Beautiful poem and I hope it lifted your spirits because it is very uplifting. Thanks for sharing. :) UP / U/A
- AUTHOR
Thank you for reading and the wonderful comment Crafty.
Such beautiful writing Jodah! The meaning is so profound.
You're very welcome. I think that's the way to go, guaranteed to reach a wider audience and to explore more subjects.
- AUTHOR
Thank you Ann for taking the time to check out my hubs, and for the follow. I am glad you liked this poem and appreciate your comments. I hope you find some of my other hubs enjoyable as well. I try to be diverse, not wanting to be tied down to one niche...try my hand at a bit of everything so to speak.
Beautiful poem and gorgeous illustrations. I see your name all over the place in comments on others' hubs (and mine!) so I thought it was high time I followed you! This hub was my reward - I love the form, the sentiment and the ride from dark to light. Ann
- AUTHOR
Well Audrey I could never wish for a greater compliment than that. It is very humbling. This particular poem is probably my favorite of all I have written. I had just listened to Leonard Cohen sing The Stranger Song and I suddenly felt inspired. I try to make all my poetry diverse but there is a message in most of it. I'm glad I connect with you especially. Thanks you for your kind words and hugs and blessings back.
Jodah - You bring such joy and inspiration to us all through your magnificent poetry. I especially love this particular verse,
"The only thing that matters
Is the truth within your heart,
And if your actions
Compliment your words."
Your poetry reaches to the core of my being, shedding insight and wisdom, a message of beautiful truth.
Thank you Jodah ~ Hugs and Beautiful Blessings. Audrey
- AUTHOR
Kamelesh,
Thank you my friend for that awesome comment. This poem is very special to me and I feel expresses my heart felt feelings. I am glad it inspires people to stop and think. God Bless you also,
Superb! Brilliant! It's a poem which is so true what it coveys, has a lot of depth and makes one think - a poem which reflects your great insight !
' The only thing that matters is the truth within your heart and if your actions compliment your words.' - Oh how lovely! Keep up your Excellent work my friend.
Voted UP & Awesome! Take care. God Bless.
Kamalesh
- AUTHOR
Eddy, thank you for such a kind and encouraging comment. I'm glad my poetry , like yours, never disappoints. I think I am my own harshest critic and there are some that don't make it past the draft pad. I'll do my best to keep them coming, thanks for voting up and sharing.
Another beautiful gem from you Jodah my friend.
Each of your poems I love and not one has disappointed.
Keep them coming and I'll keep on reading .
Voted up, across and shared.
Eddy.
- AUTHOR
Thank you for voting up teaches, glad to brighten your day.
Nothing brightens my day more than a beautiful rainbow. Voted up!
- AUTHOR
Hey writinglover, yes I didn't hold back on this one. thanks for the vote up.
I loved this Jodah. There's a lot of truth in this poem! Voted it up!
- AUTHOR
Thank you Bill, that means a lot to me. Always welcome your input.
I was hooked with the title and the poem certainly did not disappoint...and the pictures were a wonderful compliment. Well done John!
- AUTHOR
Thanks Kidscrafts,
Yes, every form of writing needs to have an effect.
Beautiful and meaningful poetry, Jodah! Thank you for sharing!
It's a poem that makes us think... very important!
- AUTHOR
Thank you Sunny,
I loved those titles you suggested....really inspired me.
Oh that was fantastic! Absolutely lovely and, yes, raw is a great word to describe it. :)
- AUTHOR
Always great to receive your comments FlourishAnyway,
This is on a slightly different tangent from my light-hearted micro-poems isn't it? I keep getting that word 'raw' and 'rawness' describing this poem, and I think that most suitable. Thanks again.
John - Such heartfelt words. I love the raw reflective feel in conveys, and the images complement what you're communicating beautifully.
- AUTHOR
Thank you Frank,
I got a tingle run down my spine while I was writing this, so it seems to have that 'special' something. It's totally different from what I've written before. Thanks for the compliments bro.
Jodah, wow.. I think you really shook the the tree of creativity, rawness, and emotional words when you wrote this poem.. a very to the point no nonsense grouping of words Love it bro :)
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